Grotto Cave

Day 2 of hiking Utah.  Ethan technically had school today but I knew they wouldn't be learning anything with just 1 1/2 days left so I let him skip (shhhh).  We drove south to Payson, Utah and headed up one of their canyons.  We really could have stayed right around Salt Lake and just hiked the canyons there but I was specifically looking for hikes that were less than 2 miles and would be easy to navigate with Isla in a backpack.  Plus it was already in the high 80's so I looked for hikes that ended in waterfalls.  I shouldn't have worried that the boys would need motivation to get somewhere, they were so excited to be out running and playing they didn't even notice how far we went.  

This hike is called Grotto Cave and if you're ever close to Payson it's worth a stop.  The trail crosses a small river 7 or 8 times and each crossing has a man-made wooden plank bridge.  The kids were in heaven.  They could hardly handle slowing down they wanted to get to the next bridge.

Grandpa came prepared with his hiking poles since he's preparing for his Appalachian trail hike in August.  The boys of course wanted in on the fun with sticks and each found their "walking" stick.  Another quick "Grandma Tina lecture" kept them from turning into weapons.

It was really nice to have my dad carry Isla in her pack the whole time.  She's a measly 16 pound at 1 year but with the pack and water and snacks, it gets pretty heavy.  Plus he's the best tour guide around and kept stopping to let Isla touch rock walls and leaves.  So cute to see her reaching out when he pointed stuff out.

The end of the short hike is a natural grotto complete with a waterfall and shallow rocky pool.

Only my dad and I were brave enough to go sort of behind the waterfall.

It was COLD people!!!

Apparently Isla enjoyed us going behind the falls though and applauded each time anyone went.  So cute.

Grandma and Isla stayed behind in the shade while my dad and me and the boys ventured up and around the top of the falls.

Which was actually a really steep climb.  

And after Ethan almost slipped off the ledge while I was taking this picture... we decided to stop following the group of teenagers ahead of us, and head back down like responsible adults.

The boys needed a picture in front.

And Ethan got a little bit brave and went close to the falls.

Isaac spent his free time "golfing" in the pool with his walking stick and whatever rock looked enough like a ball to him.  Good form though!

Isla learned how to drink from a water bottle and begged for water anytime someone else got a drink.

Stopping to check out a tree.

She has the best grandpa ever!!!

The boys spent the whole hike up and back darting off the trail, up little erosion trails and then sliding back down them on their bums.  They were pretty steep but they kept racing.  I took this bum shot before stripping them down to their undies for the ride back.

Day 2:  Hiking success!