I’m back from Ireland and Scotland, but am so backed up on photos we’ll have to get to those in a bit. Sorry, Internet!
Let’s get back to that beautiful Utah Scamp Sam and I took in May, shall we? The fun of visiting the National Parks is that it forces you to cover a whole lot of non-park ground, and you find some gems along the way.
Like Little Wild Horse Canyon, near Goblin Valley in southern Utah. (Utah gets bonus points for evocative naming.) We needed to crash somewhere for the night and came upon this spot, which is BLM land, meaning a free stay.
There were a few people camped in the parking lot near the bathrooms, but since Sadie has her own we could sleep away from everyone else.
Little Wild Horse is a slot canyon, with an 8.6 mile loop trail. I had no idea if it was passable for Sam (he’s a great scrambler, but boulders would be a problem), and I was hoping we could hike the whole thing.
At first, Sam wasn’t so sure about the narrow trail.
About a mile and a half in, sure enough, we hit a boulder. I tried and tried to figure out a way to get Sam up and over it, but couldn’t without risking my boy injuring himself. This is Sam giving me a look as I try. “You’re kidding, right?”
So we had to go back out. We found another way in, but ended up getting blocked there, too. The good news is, Sam learned to love the canyon. Success!
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Awww what a trooper you are Sam! I love these photos and I have to say, slot canyons intrigue me after my very first one at Tent Rocks in NM.
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Sherry – He really is. I haven’t been to Tent Rocks yet – they don’t allow dogs, even in the car, so I’ll have to go when Sam is staying elsewhere. Which, um, never happens. Ha.
Oh, what a gorgeous place! I may have to get up that way.
Emilie – You should! Free camping and fun hiking.
We are headed down again this November. I think we will have to check it out. And with the little one in tow your turnaround spot will likely be ours too. She likes to scramble over rocks so it might the turnaround spot just to make sure we have enough energy to get back. Lovely photos!
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Manisha – You should check it out! Your little girl might have fun scrambling – with some help. 🙂
Hey, Deonne. So I’m definitely putting this place on our list of things to do in November and your post has got me started on planning. I remember another place you mentioned that is in Colorado, I think you might have said it was one of your favorites? Or maybe I heard it on the podcast interview? In any case, I can’t find it on your blog so I was hoping you might be able to help me out! Now that I think of it, it was in your interview. Do you remember what which canyon in Colorado? Thanks, friend!
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Manisha – Yay! My work here is done. 🙂 The Colorado beauty is Black Canyon of the Gunnison – a must. So glad you’re going.
Adore the photos of Sam! Now, Ripley wouldn’t have even ventured in there…but my new service-dog-in-training, Rocky, on the other hand – that’s a different story! She might just have been up for the challenge! Beautiful shots as always, Deonne!
Michelle – Go, Rocky! I hope to meet her some day. 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind words.