West Clear Creek

We went to the Coconino National Forest for the weekend and hiked donwn the canyon to West Clear Creek. It was fantastic. It was a very dificult hike, we got rained on, forgot some of the planned food (only deserts) and STILL had a wonderful time. The kids even enjoyed it (even Vance if you can believe it).

We got their on Saturday afternoon about 2 and set up camp. It rained off and on all evening. We made a nice dinner of Beef Stew that was very enjoyable. Even though fires were allowed we didn't have one that night because there was no dry wood. :( Sad... We went to bed pretty early (without our strawberry short cake since we brought the sponge cake but forgot the strawberrys). By 8:30 we were all tucked away, Ben, Stacy, Anny, Katy, Tawny and Vance in the camper, Marly in her own tent and Drew and Sky sharing another tent. It was still raining, and raining. I was praying that the kids were dry and warm. They were...

On Sunday we woke up EARLY (about 5). Katy, Anny and I were up that early while everyone went back to sleep. We went for a walk, played and finally couldn't stand it anymore and started making breakfast at about 7 and woke everyone up about 8. Bacon, hashbrowns, eggs and tampico on the menu, all were happy. Naps, reading, wiffle ball, "bendarooz" and more naps were enjoyed by everyone. After lunch of bean & cheese burritos Stacy, Katy, Anny and went for a drive and found some dry wood (more like "bought from the store on the highway"). We then made it back for more naps, reading and loafing in the 70 degree sunny weather. Kids played games and I just enjoyed their happily playing sounds. Vance won for the most sleeping. For dinner on Sunday night we cooked chicken and potatoes in Grandma Simmons' Dutch oven and boiled some corn. It was great. We all ate till we were stuffed and still had left overs. We had planned on Peach Cobler in the Dutch oven for desert but the peaches were with the strawberries at home. Vance & Stacy emprovised and used our remaining apples to make a great Apple cobler instead. Very nice... Vance can make a good cobler. He kept reminding us that camping is easy and we should listen to him more since he's "THE eagle scout" We had a "family home evening" style lesson then headed to bed. We enjoyed the fire and the cool air for a while but were all asleep by 10:00 PM.

Monday we woke up a bit later at about 7 and had baked french toast (a camping tradition at this point and the real justification for having a camper with an oven). We all enjoyed this breakfast. We then cleaned up camp and got ready for our hike. We packed our lunch and had the camp 100% cleaned up and headed out. We locked up the camper and left it there. We drove the 5 miles to the trail head and hiked the steep grade down into the canyon. After about 100 steps down hill you come to a pont where it gets even more steep and you use your hands as much as your feet. We had two kids, who will remain unnamed, that thought we were crazy to try this and almost refused (tears of fear were shown). But we all gathered our courage and "jumped". We made it down to the bottom of the canyon and found out why they call it "clear creek" it is very nice. Running pretty high and slow where we were. The sheer cliff like walls all around us were neat to see and the weather couldn't have been better. Kids played and explored. We ate lunch and walked up stream a ways. I belive everyone got wet and Skylar even went all in. After being down in the canyon for over an hour we headed back up. This part of the hike was TOUGH on me. I'm still sore. The older kids made it out about 40 minutes quicker then I did. But even with Dad dragging the team back, we still all finished.

It was an enjoyable time, I know that we don't have any pictures and that is sad. Stacy's Camera is gone (Stolen?), Vance didn't bring his and Marly's is broken (camera, purse and an open water bottle don't mix). So sorry about the lack of pictures. We have 3 more campouts/hikes to do before we get to the Emerald Lake one, so I will figure out the camera issue sooner than later I hope.

New "PREP" camping trip

We are going to WEST CLEAR CREEK on Memorial Day weekend. So if you want to come go for a steep but short Hike then come on! We are taking the camper and will stay along the way but will hike in and out of the west clear creek wilderness on Monday and head home late Monday evening. We are heading up Saturday May 22nd (Camping on Sunday I know) I promise I only do it twice a year and will bring my scriptures and Make my kids endure a "dad" sunday school style lesson. Here are a couple of picture of where we are heading. I stole these pictures off of the web so I have no idea who the people in the pictures are.

Some pictures to inspire

Here is a picture or two of where we are going... should inspire us all to get ready to go... Isn't this what heaven will look like!

More pictures

She is an excellent hiker, and apparently the only one who gets her picture in the post about hiking Peralta Trail!

Warm up Hike

On Good Friday we went hiking as a family. Vance and Marly couldn't go (what's new?) but we went and it was fun. We went up Peralta Canynon. We hiked for about two hours (one way) than turned around and came back. Stacy and Tawny were hanging back, Drew and Skylar took the lead and Katy, Anny and me (Ben) stayed in the middle mostly. It was fun, weather was PERFECT and we enjoyed it. That trail is tough, and we only got lost once (Thanks Sky!). Here a few pictures (Stacy maybe can post more!)

Ben's Self portrait!

There's Anny!!!

Katy under a huge tree enjoying the shade along the way...

Let's Go Hiking

Here is the orignal email I sent out to everyone! Review, change or add often! Let's do this right for fun and safety and (my first priority) comfort!
Emerald Hike Plans
Rough Agenda
Day 1: Sunday July 5
This day will be spent driving to the area. Ben Johnson’s plan on staying in Bloomfield with Lynne
Day 2: Monday July 6
Meet at designated spot around 10 AM. Prepare and leave for Emerald Lake. This is roughly a 5 hour hike with kids, according to what I’ve read since I don’t remember. So a rough schedule is arrival by 6:00 PM or earlier. At this time of year it should stay light until 8 PM or so. This allows plenty of time for camp setup, dinner and fun. Maybe even a little dusk time fishing
Day 3 / Day 4: Tuesday and Wednesday July 7 & 8
Days spent fishing, resting and enjoyment. There are some day hikes to see there too. I saw that there is a mapped trail past Emerald that leads “upstream” for some secluded fishing areas. This will be the “there time”
Day 5: Thursday July 9
Leaving day we will pack up and be out of camp by mid morning. This will allow us to be back to trail head by mid afternoon and back to Bloomfield before too late
Day 6: Friday July 10
Travel day back to home or wherever you may be going
Basics to Bring
Individual
Each person will need the following either bring it or share it
· Sleeping Bag
· Sleeping pad*
· 2 pairs of shoes (they will get wet)
· 3 changes of clothes
· Jacket
· Rain gear of some sort
· Matches
· Fishing Stuff*
· Camera
· Sunscreen
· Sleeping clothes
· Stuff to do – Reading, games, etc.*
· Snacks (salty)
· Water bottle (Canteen)
· Flashlight & Batteries
· First aid kit & Moleskin (blisters!)
· Toilet Paper
· Soap/Wash Cloth
· Pocket Knife
·
Group (shared)
These will be assigned for bringing by family or individual
· Cooking Gear
o Stove
o Pots/pans
o Utensils
o Dish soap/Rag
· Meals
o 3 breakfasts
o 4 lunches
o 3 dinners
· Tents - need to sleep 14 people
· Garbage Bags
· Walkie Talkies
· Tarps
· Paper plates, cups, utensils, bowls

Notes
1) Assure you have good shoes. You will have to wear them for a long time. If you buy new make sure you go on some good long walks with them before you bring them with you to the hike
2) I’m still looking into if we need to purify water or not. If not then cool if yes, then we should bring 2 filters they are about $25 at REI
3) I think we should “assign” meals. Like Eric – has 2, Ben has 3, Dad has 2 and Julian has 3. Something like that; thoughts?
4) I’m sure there is more to bring. If you think of something send it out to everyone!
5) How’s the donkey coming? - UPDATED DAD has taken the Donkey to Bloomfield and says it is going well