Amethyst Lake Hike

We had a great week attending the Grant Reunion near Christmas Meadows, Utah. Everyone was there - which may be the last time ever considering the older grandkids are moving on to college and preparing for missions. I'll blog about that fun time later. This entry is about my hike, with Kendall and Susan, to Amethyst Lake. As Collin would say, "I'm not gonna lie" it was hard. But, not being an avid hiker and getting out much, I thought it was the most beautiful hike I have ever been on. The book said it was a "moderate difficulty" hike. WHATEVER!!!!


The first three miles were quite pleasant. Considering that the water was still running from the melting snow, we had to cross several little creeks and streams. There was a lot of standing water and tons of mud. But the trail was quite rocky which allowed us to step rock to rock and keep our feet dry. We saw seven moose along the trail. They saw us too but didn't care. I assume they didn't take pictures of us. Quickly we made it to the fork where we headed off on the second phase of the hike. The HARD stuff lay ahead.

The wildflowers were amazing. These are monument plants and monkey heads, I think.

The muddy rocky trail.

One of the MANY creeks and steams we crossed.

A fork in the road and our trail sign.

The second half did not go as quickly as the first half. We literally climbed a mountain - straight up. No switch backs on this trail. The path was a a dried up creak bed, which was probably running with water two weeks ago. It was very difficult. I felt sorry for the two little girls climbing up with their dad as we were headed back. But, along the edge was a gorgeous "river" that we followed all the way. It tumbled down the mountain while we climbed up. You could hear it rumbling no matter where you were. Once at the top we discovered a beaultiful meadow with a cute meandering stream and a very beautiful turquoise lake called BR 24. It really does deserve a name. Because there was so much water we lost track of the trail. We could see it on the other side but couldn't cross to it. So, we had to go around the lake. The marsh prevented us from going all the way around and we began forging our own trail, hoping to find a lake somewhere up ahead. We climbed over and through a boulder field (and nearly eaten by a "snow snake" hahaha) and then finally reached our destination. Amethyst is a beautiful glacial lake that is FREEZING!!! It was a a delight to eat lunch on its banks.

The roaring river along the trail

Just one of the beautiful waterfalls we viewed alongside the trail

BR 24 - Such a sorry name for a beautiful place

The banks of Amethyst Lake where we ate lunch

The mountains we kept in sight just in case we never found the trail back

The boulder field we climbed over and where Kendall and I got scared by a "snow snake." hahahaha

Amethyst Lake

The hike back was just slightly better - minus the fact that I will probably lose my big toenail and my pinky toenails because of the pressure on them while climbing back down. We had some great laughs and a great time. Thanks Ken and Sus for letting tag along.

Sometimes I think that when the earth was created, God used his sense of humor on animals like moose, platypus, and blue footed boobies. But, his artistic period came when he created the Rocky Mountains. What a blessing it is to be able to live in them and to be able to explore them.


Life is Good - and the hidden treasures in the mountains are refreshing.

Sharing the Joys of Summer

Thank goodness, a few years ago, my good friends shared their summer joys with me. A couple different friends DRAGGED me out to kayak down the river with them. I fell in love with it - like I've mentioned before. What I enjoy now, probably even more than the whitewater, is sharing my love for kayaking with others. My good friend, Karen, wanted to get a kayak for her birthday so that she could paddle around a couple lakes. I took her down the river and now she is HOOKED. She goes nearly every day. And, she now has two kayaks. (One just doesn't do it.) Another friend of ours, Shaunna, was very nervous about kayaking, but being the good sport that she is, tried it anyway. She fell out within the first 10 seconds. She got right back in, like a trooper, and now she is HOOKED. We have a big trip planned in a few weeks with all our families. Betcha she gets a couple for herself before then.

If you'd like to go, give me a call. I'm willing to share it with you, too.

Collin and his buddies. Ignore that they don't have life jackets on. The rule "No life jacket - No kayak" is now in full force.

Collin and buddies about to go under the Del Rio Bridge.

Shaunna - still smiling even after being tipped over.

Cook - He is so cool. His first time too.

Karen - Loving her new kayaks.

 Life is Good - especially in a kayak.

Cave Falls

A couple weeks ago we took a drive up to Cave Falls to see how high the water is because our swimming spot, lower down the river, is still so high that we can't swim yet (and may never this year). The falls are beautiful and the water is HIGH and FAST. Last year Kenna and I went for an afternoon. We walked out into the water and a father and son were fishing out in the center. I doubt anyone has ventured to the center this year. You won't catch me out there. But, the views are wonderful and the sound of the river is so relaxing! I could have stayed forever if it weren't for the GIANT mosquitoes that tried to eat us.

This is what it looks like this year.

Here is almost that same spot last year when Kenna and I visited.

Cave Falls. Wish you could hear it. It is AWESOME!

Looking up the Falls River. One of my very favorite places to be.

Churning water just above the main falls.

 Life is Good - and have I ever mentioned how much I love this place I live?