The bridge as we approach

Natural Bridges

This stop was really nice.  Mack and Quinn started to get into stride with school and I got a chance to bond with them outside of Amy.  The scenery was breathtaking and the weather was perfect. For me, this is excursion was an example of what I hope this year will bring for us.

We debated for hours where our next destination was going to be. In the end we chose Natural Bridges National Monument over Goblin State Park.  Goblin State Park was highly recommended and looks amazing, but given the drive to Phoenix afterwards and the state of Amy’s knees, we chose to head a bit further south to Natural Bridges.

We took a slight detour on the way into Moab (thanks Gwen!) that was spectacular!  It featured amazing valleys, bold red monuments

Fisher Tower Monument
Fisher Tower Monument

and incredible canyons along the Colorado River.  For lunch we stopped at Fisher Towers, these huge red stone structure rising from the desert floor were truly impressive. The girls thought they looked like giant castles or fortresses. The scene was straight out of a western and the beauty of Utah would only continue to amaze us from there.

Natural Bridges Features tons of camping for free in the BLM land near Bear Ears and Mule Valley just outside the National Park.  Given our lack of sleeping pads, sleeping bags and other key camping gear we chose to camp inside the park for a mere $10/night. The sites were a tad close together, but had some privacy provided by the junipers and pinyon pines.  Each site featured a nice sandy tent pad, fire grate and picnic table.  With a nearby vault toilet and water provided by the ranger station we pitched our tent and made a nest out of old blankets and a down comforter. Mack and I went back to the BLM land to gather firewood for the night.

Our first night was relatively warm and Amy and I enjoyed watching the stars for hours. The moon was nearly full, the shadows and silhouettes of the twisty trees made the area seem quite surreal. After enjoying a nice cold beer, Amy and I crammed into the tent with the girls. I had the brilliant idea that using our old oversize two-

our small tent
Here is where we slept…tiny, right?

man tent would be ideal, because we could simply donate it after our last night camping. Sadly I underestimated how big our girls had grown.  Not only was the space a two small, even sleeping head to toe, but the girls decided for the first time ever to ‘cuddle’ with me.  Quinn spent the night trying to crawl over my head to curl up like a giant kitten in the corner of the tent. Mack must have dreamt she was a judo champion, throwing elbows, knees and kicks into all night.  The result: Amy had half the tent to herself while I was trying to push myself through the tent wall.

It was all worth it in the end.  We woke early and worked on math and reading before heading into the park for lunch.  We ate at an overlook to the first of the three bridges in the park.   The girls crawled over all the rocks, learning about the ‘crusty dirt‘, lichen and about how the bridges were formed.

Amy joined the girls and I for a brief hike to an overlook into the canyon. Those short, fairly flat trail gave a view to an ancient Anasazi cliff dwelling. Although not as spectacular or as well preserved as Mesa Verde, it provided a great topic that was interesting to the girls: how did the people get up there and build that?

The hike, as short and flat as it was, proved too much for Amy’s knees. As we drove to the second bridge, Amy made the decision that anymore hiking was out of the question for her.  Her choice was only confirmed by the signage describing the one way trip:

Kachina Bridge Trail

length: 1.4 mi/2.3 km

elevation: 400 ft/122 m elev

time: 1 hour

The youngest of the parks bridges also features the steepest and deepest of all the trails.  So of course I selected this one for myself and the girls to descend!

Mack traversing the slope
Mack traversing the slope

The kids had a great time on the hike and I couldn’t be more proud. We saw a few adults who chose to turn back before reaching the bottom. At one corner  a man resting in some shade said, “are you

Quinn under the Arch
Quinn under the Arch

going all the way to the bottom? It is really scary!” At first I was irked that he would freak the girls out so close to the end, but later realized it was a good thing. The girls are seasoned Colorado hikers and the trail wasn’t really that extreme.once we safely reached the bottom the girls kept talking about why someone would be scared of this hike. They admitted it was tough, but that they were tougher 🙂

After 2 1/2 hours of hiking, exploring and snacking we finally crawled back out to the top of the canyon. We were all hit and dusty and were greeted  by an incredible sight as we turned the last corner: Amy holding a bag of sliced watermelon!

View Gallery

14 thoughts on “Natural Bridges

  1. That sounded like fun. I’m glad you guys are enjoying yourselves. I always knew those girls were tough (unless one touches the other) :).
    Love and miss you guys
    Grandpa

  2. Jacob, so nice hearing about your trip.
    Sleeping accommodations sound hysterical, unless you’re actually participating. Luckily you don’t have to get up and go to work!!! 😉
    It’s great the girls are such accomplished and brave young hikers (you can tell them I said that !! )
    I hope Amy’s knee is on the mend by now. Love what you’re doing and keeping everyone in the loop.
    Xoxo, Leah

  3. Wait! You stopped at the best part. Was the watermelon good? Also, did you pass the guys in the shade going back up and scoff at his comments? You have only a few days left to act like that before becoming an ambassador to the world. 😉

  4. Wow what a hike! They are so tough! Of course you and Amy are too since you’re sharing a small tent and together with them 24/7. Love the “school” pics. Keep filling those journals girls, we’ll have to send more soon since there are so many exciting things to record. Love you all!

Leave a Comment