We were well prepared for this hike – all 5.4 miles of it. The kids were forewarned of its length and climb (1,000 feet), Dave and I each carried a backpack filled with 4 bottles of water, a first aid kit, oranges and muffins, and I had extra batteries for the camera. It was beautiful – absolutely worth every step. Although the temperature was in the mid 80’s we were, for the most part, cool enough thanks to the rapids and shady overgrowth. The first third of the hike was pretty level – with lots of wildflowers and some nice views of rapids.
The next part, up to the Calypso Cascades was more of a climb but the view of the cascades at the top was so worth it. We stopped there and camped out on a big rock in the shade and ate our oranges and smushed up muffins – and Dave got a chance to stretch his neck and back (see him in the corner of the picture?!). While there we also decided if we should continue on – we could turn back and have completed a 3.6 mile hike or we could go the next .9 mile and get to the falls. John, understandably, was ready to turn back, Lucy wasn’t too sure but when Dave told her he’d carry her Jr. Ranger book and sweatshirt, she was up for the challenge. It was decided – and we set off.
This last third, overall, wasn’t as pretty as the previous scenery – for it passed through a burned area full of gray logs and patches of plant regrowth. It was also pretty windy and much more of a climb – but once again we weren’t disappointed once we reached the falls. The cool air rushing past cooled us off and as we drank water in the shade we watched the water cascading down a rock precipice. Before too long we headed back down – this time Sophie, Lucy and I led – hopping down the path like jackrabbits. Total time: 2 hours up, one hour, twenty minutes down. Well done kids, well done!
We were well prepared for this hike – all 5.4 miles of it. The kids were forewarned of its length and climb (1,000 feet), Dave and I each carried a backpack filled with 4 bottles of water, a first aid kit, oranges and muffins, and I had extra batteries for the camera. It was beautiful – absolutely worth every step. Although the temperature was in the mid 80’s we were, for the most part, cool enough thanks to the rapids and shady overgrowth. The first third of the hike was pretty level – with lots of wildflowers and some nice views of rapids.
The next part, up to the Calypso Cascades was more of a climb but the view of the cascades at the top was so worth it. We stopped there and camped out on a big rock in the shade and ate our oranges and smushed up muffins – and Dave got a chance to stretch his neck and back (see him in the corner of the picture?!). While there we also decided if we should continue on – we could turn back and have completed a 3.6 mile hike or we could go the next .9 mile and get to the falls. John, understandably, was ready to turn back, Lucy wasn’t too sure but when Dave told her he’d carry her Jr. Ranger book and sweatshirt, she was up for the challenge. It was decided – and we set off.
This last third, overall, wasn’t as pretty as the previous scenery – for it passed through a burned area full of gray logs and patches of plant regrowth. It was also pretty windy and much more of a climb – but once again we weren’t disappointed once we reached the falls. The cool air rushing past cooled us off and as we drank water in the shade we watched the water cascading down a rock precipice. Before too long we headed back down – this time Sophie, Lucy and I led – hopping down the path like jackrabbits. Total time: 2 hours up, one hour, twenty minutes down. Well done kids, well done!
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