Little Wild Horse Canyon and Goblin Valley
I made sure that our 2017 family goals included some southern Utah adventuring, so when the weather started warming up, I figured it was time to get going on our goals. Michelle only required a little convincing. We also invited our friends Mike and Stephanie along with their four girls. We found a decent deal on a Super 8 in Green River, with an indoor pool to boot.
Michelle and the kids picked me up at work last Friday afternoon, 3/19, and drove down to Green River, where we ate burgers and hot dogs at the Chow Hound. Addison in particular was impressed that it was the only Chow Hound in the whole world.
Then we went to a nearby park and played for a minute,
then to the hotel to swim.
Miraculously everybody slept pretty well, Asa slept in a bit, and we were on the road by 8:00.
It's an hour and a little to Goblin Valley from Green River, and a lot of the drive runs parallel to the beautiful and otherworldly San Rafael Swell.
Our first destination was Little Wild Horse Canyon, a photogenic, family-friendly slot canyon with three long slotted sections. It's probably the most popular canyon in Utah outside of Zion, and it actually lives up to the hype. I'd visit it again in a heartbeat. In fact, Bryn asked me if I'd rather go to a slot canyon or Disneyland. You can guess my answer. My family is good to go along with it, and I think everybody loved this canyon.
The hike starts in an open wash, and it was hard to corral eight kids. They wanted to climb up every side hill and rock and tree. But then once we made it past a couple little obstacles and into the slot canyon proper, there was no other place to go, and everyone had a great time exploring, excited to see what was around the next bend. At one point, Leah said, "Dad, I think it's called Little Wild Horse because the trail goes back and forth like a wild horse." Sounds about right to me.
We went 2 1/4 miles to the end of the narrows section and stopped for lunch. You can continue up the trail, across an old dirt road, and back down a neighboring canyon called Bell Canyon, but we opted to turn around. And I was proud of everybody - 4 and a half miles is a decent hike, especially for the little guys. I loved watching Asa conquer all the little obstacles and gain some hiking confidence.
Michelle and the kids picked me up at work last Friday afternoon, 3/19, and drove down to Green River, where we ate burgers and hot dogs at the Chow Hound. Addison in particular was impressed that it was the only Chow Hound in the whole world.
then to the hotel to swim.
Miraculously everybody slept pretty well, Asa slept in a bit, and we were on the road by 8:00.
It's an hour and a little to Goblin Valley from Green River, and a lot of the drive runs parallel to the beautiful and otherworldly San Rafael Swell.
Our first destination was Little Wild Horse Canyon, a photogenic, family-friendly slot canyon with three long slotted sections. It's probably the most popular canyon in Utah outside of Zion, and it actually lives up to the hype. I'd visit it again in a heartbeat. In fact, Bryn asked me if I'd rather go to a slot canyon or Disneyland. You can guess my answer. My family is good to go along with it, and I think everybody loved this canyon.
The hike starts in an open wash, and it was hard to corral eight kids. They wanted to climb up every side hill and rock and tree. But then once we made it past a couple little obstacles and into the slot canyon proper, there was no other place to go, and everyone had a great time exploring, excited to see what was around the next bend. At one point, Leah said, "Dad, I think it's called Little Wild Horse because the trail goes back and forth like a wild horse." Sounds about right to me.
We went 2 1/4 miles to the end of the narrows section and stopped for lunch. You can continue up the trail, across an old dirt road, and back down a neighboring canyon called Bell Canyon, but we opted to turn around. And I was proud of everybody - 4 and a half miles is a decent hike, especially for the little guys. I loved watching Asa conquer all the little obstacles and gain some hiking confidence.
A couple videos:
After finishing up the canyon (about five hours), we drove the short distance to Goblin Valley, and it was perfect for the kids. They ran around, climbing on top and under the rock formations, hiding and imagining and playing hide and seek. Me and Michelle were surprised at how big an area it was; I think we only saw a tiny sliver of the place.
Too soon it was time to hit the road. We stopped back in Green River. (Goblin Valley is remote, with no gas or food or anything for an hour in any direction.) We ate at Burger King, leaving behind bucketloads of dirt in our booth (sorry, Burger King employees), and drove the three hours and change back home. We made it before 11:00 Saturday night. A whirlwind trip and lots of memories. And we loved road-tripping with Mike and Stephanie's family.
All of these pictures are so cool! It looks like it was a great time. And Chow Hound is an excellent name.
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! I love that panoramic picture close to the end. Leah and Asa were so cute to watch walking through the canyon!
ReplyDeleteDid you leave as much mud at Burger King as you did at the Post office that one time? ;)