Wind Caves

Ryan and I took advantage of the improving weather to have our 1st annual 11 year-old Scout backyard overnighter and Wind Caves day hike.

Participants included Andrew, Daniel, Jake, Jordan, Spencer and Aaron.

We worked on a number of Scouting skills and requirements, including knife and axe safety, firebuilding, tent pitching, cooking, camping, ropework and knot tying. A brief thundershower didn't dampen our spirits, as we enjoyed our foil dinners

and dutch oven cobbler desserts with ice cream!

After a competetive snakeball/monkey bars golf tournament, Daniel conducted our campfire program, complete with a song, some jokes (ha ha), a skit, and a Scoutmaster's minute.

The boys stayed up late telling jokes, while Ryan and I drifted off to sleep in our treehouse lookout. After a big breakfast, we packed up "camp" and drove up the canyon

to the Wind Caves trailhead.

Clover helped keep everyone in line as we climbed the steep, two-mile switchbacking trail.

At one point the trail crosses a rushing stream, which literally springs forth right out of the ground!

After a number of repeated "how much further" inquisitions, we finally arrived at our destination just before noon.

The view in all directions was spectacular, including the China Wall rock formation on the opposite side of the canyon below the Crimson Trail and the backside of Logan Peak.

We paused to explore the open-air caves and take a few pictures.

Standing just above the upper openings, we felt the up-canyon wind rushing through, better understanding how they were so appropriately named.

We made the descent in about half the time.

Clover and the boys were dog-tired by the time we made it back to the vehicles, but everyone had a great time!