Hiking, Hiking and More Hiking!

I journaled about a couple of hikes in June and July but was really bad about the remainder of our summer hikes.  Our very first hike this year was actually as a family at Big Springs Hollow Loop.  We went on a Sunday that we didn't go to Church and had "Church in the Mountains."  Here is a picture of David teaching us.  We found this tree swing and decided to have our lesson on this part of the hike to entertain Ruger while Daddy talked.  I wish I would have taken more pictures because there were actual random springs coming out of the ground here and there and everything was so green as we were coming out of a very wet winter.

Cami, her girls, Ruger and I hiked the Timpanogos Lower Falls.  It was 2 1/2 miles long with a 770 ft elevation gain that I was not quite ready for.  That was a tough hike but so worth it, as they always are.  This one was especially worth it as it was really hot and when we got to the falls, there was snow!

One of the places that we went with Cami and her girls was familiar as we were walking the trail when I realized that I had been there some 22 years ago.  I realized that Cascade Springs was where David and I had taken our engagement pictures!

Usually I go alone on my hikes with Christine but this time Hyrum wanted to go.  He invited Leia as we had a casual, easy strole around the Pleasant Grove Ditch Trail.

One Sunday after Church we decided to go to Dripping Rock, which we have done every summer since we found it (and sometimes multiples times a summer!).  The water was sooooo cold this time but it was still so nice to get in the water.

Christine really challenged me when she asked me if I wanted to hike the Orson Smith Park to Draper Suspension Bridge Loop.  I usually do not do heights.  Like ever.  But I booked it across that bridge and made it!

And I'll save the best for last.  Christine first took me to the Lower Bell Canyon Reservoir Trail and man was it hard.  Those stairs up the mountain was difficult but, oh my goodness, getting to the water was worth it.  You are not supposed to get in the creek or lake but I was so hot that I could not resist at least splashing that clear, fresh water on my face.

This lake had the clearest water that I have ever seen in a lake before!

I loved it so much that I took Cami today.  Here we are in front of one of the sets of "stairs" that we had to go up to get to the lake.

I am not much of a camper and I don't care to sweat but I sure love hiking and when exercise is involved, sweating is good and I expect it.  I have no doubt that my mental health was as good as it was this summer because of all these hikes.  I'm so grateful for Christine and Cami for being my hiking buddies this summer!