Stewart Falls in Provo, UT

August 29, 2015 at Stewart Falls in Provo, UT
‪#‎unplugged‬ ‪#‎terrysweekendadventures‬

The trailhead for Stewart Falls is just past the Aspen Grove entrance station on the Sundance side of Timpanogos up Provo Canyon. Arrive earlier in the day or you will have a difficult time finding a parking spot. This hike is an easy-moderate difficulty hike that most little kids will be able to do. It is 4 miles round trip with just a few steep inclines. It can get hot during the summer months and there isn't much shade for about half of the hike, so bring at least 1 liter of water per person. Dogs are also permitted, but make sure to bring enough water for them too.

Once at the falls, you are rewarded with a two tier waterfall. You can walk underneath the lower falls and play in the stream. It is a nice cool place to rest before hiking back. For the more adventurous, you can hike up a steep incline and cross a narrow path to get to the upper tier, although the kids should probably stick to the lower falls.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 8
Difficulty: 6
Cost: $6 (vehicle entrance fee)

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Yuba Lake State Park, Levan, Utah

Aug 22nd, 2015 at Yuba Lake State Park, Levan, UT ‪#‎unplugged‬‪#‎terrysweekendadventures‬

Yuba Lake State Park is just an hour south of Provo. It is only 2 miles off of I-15, but is hidden behind a mountain and cannot be seen from the freeway. The area surrounding the lake is the typical arid Utah wilderness, but once you get down on the beach it is completely different than any other lake in the state. It has very fine sandy beaches like you would expect to find at an ocean. The water is cool, but is refreshing on a hot August day. The kids spent the day making sand castles and burying their arms in "quicksand". The wake free zone was far enough out that we could go swimming without worrying about huge waves or out of control waverunners. There are also fire pit rings along the beach for the public that are perfect for s'mores in the evening.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 10
Difficulty: 0
Cost: $10

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South Fork Park, Provo Canyon.

Aug 15th, 2015 at South Fork Park, Provo, UT ‪#‎unplugged‬‪#‎terrysweekendadventures‬

South Fork Park is just a short drive up Provo Canyon. The park is a great place to spend an afternoon with the family and pets. It has a large open field for games, a pavilion, several barbeque pits and picnic tables, and restrooms. There are plenty of shade trees to sit under with a blanket, too. The most fun for the kids, by far, is playing in the river. Wearing shoes in the water is recommended, since it is cold and walking on the rocks can be difficult in bare feet. It is only ankle deep in fall and has plenty of rocks you can use to build up a little dam. You can walk up and down it, with a few areas that get slightly deeper where logs have fallen and blocked up the river. There are also several side trails that you can explore.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 10
Difficulty: 0
Cost: 0https://www.facebook.com/terrysweekendadventures/photos/ms.c.eJxNzcENwDAIA8CNKlMSA~;svVhQE6Q~_dbCykO5xUXYDoIw2kpXFgF1iDb1WNiDWJfIA83wZDVS5Uwn5wZrEH~;CTos8ICfH4BIoc~-.bps.a.1668808623340017.1073741830.1668788590008687/1668808663340013/?type=3&theater

The Grotto Falls and South Fork Park

Aug 15th, 2015 at The Grotto Falls Trail, Payson, UT and South Fork Park, Provo, UT

The trail head for the Grotto Falls Trail is about 8 miles off of I-15 up the scenic Nebo Loop Road in Payson, UT.  The hike itself is just over a half mile, round trip.  The trail is a fairly gentle incline that follows a stream all the way to the top.  There are several log bridges that crisscross the stream.  There are quite a few trees that provide shade, but it still gets hot during summer.  Upon reaching the top, you can either take a very steep path up the rocks to see the falls from the top, which is not recommended for the kids, or you can go straight and enter the grotto.  The view from up top is beautiful, but inside the grotto is the coolest part.  You are almost completely surrounded by rock walls with the falls coming down one side.  It creates a small pool at the bottom that is fun to play in.  It is pretty shallow in the fall, so late spring or early summer is the time to go to see the waterfall is at its fullest.  Pets are allowed on this trail, so don't forget to bring your four-legged friends.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 9
Difficulty: 3
Cost: 0

Going up

The Grotto

From up top

Coming back down

South Fork Park is just a short drive up Provo Canyon.  The park is a great place to spend an afternoon with the family and pets.  It has a large open field for games, a pavilion, several barbeque pits and picnic tables, and restrooms.  There are plenty of shade trees to sit under with a blanket, too.  The most fun for the kids, by far, is playing in the river.  Wearing shoes in the water is recommended, since it is cold and walking on the rocks can be difficult in bare feet.  It is only ankle deep in fall and has plenty of rocks you can use to build up a little dam.  You can walk up and down it, with a few areas that get slightly deeper where logs have fallen and blocked up the river.  There are also several side trails that you can explore.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 10
Difficulty: 0
Cost: 0

Battle Creek Falls

Aug 8th, 2015 at Battle Creek Falls, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Battle Creek Falls is a perfect hike for the whole family, including the 4 legged kids.  It's only a 1.8 mile round trip with no entrance or park fees. It is a moderate difficulty level hike with a few steeper elevation changes as you near the waterfall at the end.  It is a beautiful 50 foot waterfall cascading down a rock face.  Climbing and rappelling are allowed, but not recommended for the inexperienced or the kids.  When you get close to the waterfall it gets a little windy and cool, so bring a coat.  Don't forget the towels either in case you want to cool down in the waterfall.  There is a pavilion with picnic tables and fire pits near the trailhead where you can enjoy lunch before heading back home.

Activity rating 0-10

Kid fun: 8
Difficulty: 6
Cost: 0

Heading up!

There aren't any trolls under there.

Wait up.

Can I go in that cave?

Playing with the river rocks.

At the falls.

A view from the top.

Time to cool off!