Stewart Falls, Sundance, UT

The weather this past weekend was just amazing, so we had to get out. One of our favorite hikes is Stewart Falls just above Sundance. We had only visited the falls during autumn when all the leaves are changing colors and the runoff from Mount Timpanogos is just trickle. We arrived mid-afternoon and it turned out to be the perfect time. The sun hid behind the larger peaks for a lot of the hike, so we had a good amount of shade. We were in much better shape this hike than the last time we went, so it was much easier to hike it and seemed much shorter. This hike also gives you some amazing views of the valley where the Sundance Resort sits. The falls were just spectacular. You can hear them pounding on the bottom of the cliffs from a ways away. The mist from the falls is refreshing on a warm day like yesterday. There were still some patches of snow on the side of the mountain and a few people climbed to the top to sled down. Overall, it was a great way to spend an afternoon with the family. Activity rating 0-10 Kid fun: 8 Difficulty: 4 Cost: $6 (vehicle entrance fee) Here is the link to see the hike we did last year. https://www.facebook.com/unpluggedutahadventures/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1668813736672839#

Goosenecks State Park, Mexican Hat, Utah

Goosenecks State Park isn't a very well know park, but is worth the drive if you are in the area. Unlike the Grand Canyon, you can see all the way down to the bottom from the observation area. It is just over 1000 feet down to the river. You are allowed to make your way further down from the observation area and get a bit closer to the cliffs. It is really amazing to see two of the horseshoe bends from one vantage point. It is truly breathtaking. For those looking for more adventure, river rafting trips are available that take you through the canyons and ruins in the area. Camping is also available in the park for $10 per night.
 Activity rating 0-10 
Kid fun: 3 
Difficulty: 0 
Cost: $5/vehicle

Red Cliffs National Recreation Area

We just got back from the Red Reef Trail and absolutely love this place. It is a great hike for beginners because there is very little elevation change and it's only a half-mile to the Moki steps. The water is "Oh my gosh! I can't breathe! I instantly regret this!" cold right now, but it is definitely worth jumping in just for the experience.

Hovenweep National Monument

Anasazi ruins are spread all throughout the four corners area. One of the best preserved settlements in Utah is Hovenweep National Monument. It is incredible to see how these ancient people survived in a very inhospitable area. Hovenweep is split into two sections, Little Ruin Canyon, which is located by the visitor center, and the Cajon Unit. The Cajon Unit is located on Navajo Nation and is accessible by dirt roads. It has a little settlement in a small canyon alcove. There are several buildings and a small area underneath an overhang. You can easily see the buildings from the path, but it is hard to see anything under the overhang since the canyon is roped off. Little Ruin Canyon is a much larger settlement spread over about half a mile of canyon. There is a well marked path that takes you around all the buildings. You can see the dwellings and the defensive guard towers easily from the path. Primitive camping is also available within walking distance of the ruins for $10 per night. 
Activity rating 0-10
 Kid fun: 6 
Difficulty: 0 Cost: Free

 Wilson's Arch is located about 25 miles south of Moab right next to Highway 191. Unlike a lot of the arches in Arches National Park, you can park at the base, hike up a short hill, and you are there. It is not as large as some of the more famous arches, but it is definitely worth stopping off at if you are heading down to the Needles District of Canyonlands.

Lower Calf Creek Falls

Lower Calf Creek Falls consistently makes the top 10 waterfalls in the United States and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to see it in person. It is in the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. The hike is 6 miles round trip over sand and slickrock, but is fairly flat. Shade is scarce unless you go very early in the morning or late afternoon when the canyon walls block the direct sunlight. We went in the mid-afternoon and were exposed nearly the entire way. There were a few points along the trail where we could access the creek and wet our cool towels and hats down to deal with the heat. Even though the surrounding area looks like the typical southwestern desert landscape, the canyon floor is actually a wetlands area. We saw geese and ducks swimming in beaver ponds and tall reeds you would find on more temperate lakes. As we approached the falls we could hear it echoing off the canyon walls. Once we rounded the last corner we could see the waterfall and it took our breath away. It is 110 feet high and has a pool deep enough to swim in at the bottom. The water is crystal clear, but is also freezing cold. It also seeps through the sandstone walls that surround the pool. Jed and H found out that they get very slick and make for a decent waterslide. B and H spend most of the time building a dam with sand and stones to trap the water running down the sides of the rock face. Wendy spend most of her time relaxing in under the shade trees on the sandy beach. It truly is a paradise in the middle of the desert. July and August can get very hot in southern Utah, so plan accordingly. We went through 2 liters of water each. You don't feel like you are sweating that much since it is so dry, but make sure to replenish the liquids and electrolytes you are losing. Also, bring a shade hat. You'll be glad you did. Activity rating: 0-10 Kid fun: 8 Difficulty: 4 Cost: $5 recreation pass (free for Annual Pass holders) 

Upper Calf Creek Falls and Deer Creek Campground

Upper Calf Creek Falls is not nearly as popular as Lower Calf Creek Falls, and for good reason. The trail is 1.8 miles round trip and descends 500' in that short distance. The first half of the hike takes you down very steep slick rock with no switchbacks. The second half of the trail is over sand, with some rocky areas mixed in just to keep it interesting. There is no shade except under a few trees along the trail until you reach the bottom of the falls. Down at the bottom of the falls, there are some boulders to sit on and relax and it is about 30 degrees cooler under the canyon walls. The 88" waterfall is stunning. It doesn't have nearly the volume of water as the lower falls, but it is still gorgeous. The pool around the bottom is fairly stagnant, so swimming isn't recommended, but you can try catching some tadpoles. There is, however, an amazing swimming hole up at the top of the falls. It requires a hike up and around to reach the top, but the heat had taken it's toll on the kids, so we just headed back. Needless to say, going up the trail is a lot harder than getting down. We camped at Deer Creek Campground near Boulder, Utah. It is a beautiful little campground with a creek runnning right beside it. The creek is only ankle deep and exploring and playing in it for hours in the evenings was the highlight of the trip for B and H. They built little rafts from driftwood and grass and raced them down the creek. We recommend staying on the campgrounds against the cliff. It keeps you out of the desert sun until much later in the morning. Make sure to check the weather ahead of time if you plan on staying there, as flash floods are possible.
 Activity rating: 0-10
 Kid fun: 10 
Difficulty: 9 
Cost: $7/night camping