Part 2 Utah Trip...

While in Utah (back in July) we also hiked up to Timpanogos Caves National Monument. It was one of the hardest hikes we've done all year. Here we are ready to head out...

It was all paved which was great but the 1 and 1/2 mile climb up 1200 feet in elevation was tough and left all of us (but Walker, who has endless energy) a bit winded. The views were amazing and nothing beats a hike in a National park with family.

This was a 1/4 of the way there..

and this was about 1/2 way there... took us about an 75 minutes to climb to the top.

Up at the top you wait for your cave tour time to begin so the kiddos spent the time checking out a little chipmunk who was very curious and hoping for a handout. Was proud that the kiddos remembered one of the Ranger rules... No feeding the wildlife in the park. Even though everyone else was giving him food.

We lucked out and got in an earlier cave time tour. Good thing we aren't claustrophobic because it was tight in some places..

As usual Mr. Ranger Walker loved the entire thing... I often wonder how much he retains during the ranger programs but when we returned home he was busy offering cave tours in his tents and tunnel he set up in the living room.

So the lighting was dark as to be expected in the caves so the photos turned out awful... I actually bought postcards because I knew I wouldn't get very good pictures but here are a couple decent ones..

We had to hurry down the trail once the tour was over so that the kiddos could turn in their Jr. Ranger booklets and get their badges... we made it just in time. They closed at 5:30 and looking at the clock in the picture with the kiddos doing their pledge ..we had 1 minute to spare.

They even got to try on real Ranger hats...

After the big hike we all needed some much deserved ice cream...

Was really a fun time and am glad we got to check off another National Monument on our list!