Hiking at Hidden Falls

We took a trip to Hidden Falls Regional Park yesterday with Grandma Jan.

The weather was absolutely perfect. Low 70's and sunny! We studied the map and decided to try a route that was labeled "moderate" in terms of difficulty, but it was only a half mile each way.

However, we had to hike at least a half a mile just to get to the beginning of the trail. It didn't take long for this girl to start asking me to carry her.

 And of course she had to stop and collect rocks along the way.

 I remember filling my pockets with rocks as a little girl!

 Photo stop!

 We finally made it to the beginning of the half mile trail. We crossed over a little creek.

The moderate trail started out moderate....however by this point I had been carrying Jenna for a while. And then the path began to get more difficult. Adam put Jenna on his shoulders so I could concentrate on walking and wearing Andrew. (And so we could make it to the falls and back before dark!)

At one point the trail was a bit treacherous and I definitely considered turning around. But we were so close!

We finally made it.....and didn't see any waterfalls.

 I mean, there was water. And it was pretty. But waterfalls? Nope.

Adam took the boys down a steep side path that did lead them to a lookout point where they could see a waterfall. But I think we were all a bit disappointed. After all our hiking we were expecting something beautiful at the end!

 We stopped for some pictures before hiking back.

 Goofy faces!

A family photo before the hike back. Unfortunately, the trail to the falls was mostly downhill. Which meant the hike back was an uphill hike! It got tough but we made it! The boys did SO well. They really didn't complain until the very end, when they were bored and tired.

 Adam and I both agreed we would do the hike again, but not with little kids!