August 15, 2026 Suspension Bridge

 Draper Suspension Bridge #17

hikers: 2

distance: 2.28 miles

elevation gain: 441 feet

Today we switched things up on our way back. Instead of heading down the switchbacks from the aqueduct trail, we passed them by and went to a trail for horses. It seems less steep. There definitely aren't as many people on it. It is slightly longer.

The equestrian trail.

August 7, 2026 Draper Suspension Bridge #16

 Draper Suspension Bridge  #16

hikers: 2 of us

distance: 2.05

elevation gain: 440 ft.

Our most usual route.

Orson Smith Park and Trailhead.

There is a fun place for kids to climb around on the left.

The trail starts at the stairs that are straight ahead.

The suspension bridge.

The bridge from Ralph's Trail.

A view of the house on our way down.

The garage roof has been shingled. 

July 29, 2026 Lisa Falls

 Lisa Falls

Little Cottonwood Canyon

Hiking with the Houston grandkids

hikers: 2 littles, 4 bigs

distance: just over a half mile round trip, out and back

elevation gain: 88 feet

The is one of the best hikes for kids. Short and sweet, but real hiking with a waterfall at the end.

Our Houston Hikers don't get to go on many hikes with us but today we all went to Lisa falls and it was perfect.

Not too far of a drive up the canyon and today there was plenty of parking.

A short hike and you are at the falls.

Water is always fun.

Exploring.

There we are having fun!

Hiking back down the trail. The trail is definitely

steep, but it is so short it's not hard at all.

July 25, 2026 Provo River Trail in Heber

 Provo River Trail

Heber, Utah

Grandpa & Nana's Hiking Club, July!

hikers: 11 littles, all of the grandkids!!! 12 bigs! = 23 total, a great ratio of adults to kids!

distance: a couple of miles

elevation gain: 0   A win for this group.

frogs found and collected: approximately 90

We did this hike at our family shindig. It was our 7th hike for the club and the first one that all the grandkids were able to go on together. Plus, we found little frogs along the trail.

This portion of the Provo River Trail is below the Jordanelle Dam. There is a small parking area and access for fishermen about 2 miles below the dam and that is where we started and we hiked towards the dam for about a mile. 

Let's get going!

Through the tall grass.

Along the boardwalk.

Under the trees.

Follow the mom with the hot dog on a stick.

All the while looking for cute, tiny frogs to put in a bag.

We went about a mile and then took a path down to the river to watch the fishermen for a bit before turning around and heading back.

Everyone had a bag of cute little frogs.

July 17, 2026 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge and Old Bridge

 Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge and Original Bear Canyon Bridge

hikers: Mark and Lecia

distance: 2.46 miles

elevation gain: 574 ft.

This is our usual hike with an extra loop up to the original Bear Canyon Bridge. This takes you into the trees in the canyon and right down to the creek.

We started on the trail to the Bear Canyon Bridge from the north. You climb up and this was a view of the bridge. 

Looking down into Bear Canyon, where we are headed.

You climb up a ways and then you head down into the canyon. This trail is more rugged.

And here is the bridge. This is a quiet and peaceful place. Not as many people come up here but sometimes there are people playing in the creek.

After crossing the bridge we continued on the loop. This side of the loop (south side) is easier because it is shorter and not as steep and rocky.

July 11, 2026 Suspension Bridge #14

  Draper Suspension Bridge

#14

hikers: 2

distance: a little over 2 miles

elevation gain: 440 feet

Here it is. The 14th time we've come up this year and the photos usually look the same. In the hot summer months we come up earlier in the morning to avoid the sun and the heat.

Coming to the bridge from the south.

The bridge.

The bridge and the mountain.

July 4, 2026 Sulphur Creek

 Sulphur Creek

Capitol Reef

bottom up, visitor's center to 1st waterfall

hikers: 3

distance: about 1.5 miles

This was a very easy and pleasant hike from the visitor's center, along Sulphur Creek, to the waterfall. Sulphur Creek would be an awesome hike from the top down, but more than we were up for. It is not an official, maintained trail. We pretty much had the trail to ourselves. Like most trails at Capitol Reef you don't want to be hiking if there is any chance of a flash flood.

You start the hike behind the visitor's center. Just walk around and you'll see the creek. 

It is small and you can walk right through it. Go left and follow the creek.

When we got to the canyon we saw where brush and been washed down in a flash flood and caught in the rocks.It's a visual reminder of why you shouldn't hike if there is a possibility of flooding.

So pleasant.

Rocks make it easy to cross the creek. Although you could walk right  through it and get a little wet! Different time of year = different water levels. Just in case, wear shoes that can get wet.

There was a little pool when we got to the falls. Mark and Seth climbed up on the rock ledge.

The amount of water here varies. The other time we came here the pool was larger and people were jumping off the rocks into the water.

There is an alternate route that skirts the falls. Seth 

went above the falls and took that route to come down.

This is about where he came down, and it is just a little 

ways before the falls as you are hiking towards them.

This hike is very family friendly.

If you do the entire Sulphur Creek hike it is about 6 miles and 

adventurous and takes more planning, but it looks awesome if you are up for that.