Miss the 1st part of our spontaneous road-trip to Lake Mead?
1) I'm a slave to spontaneity,
2)the rangers at the Lake Mead visitor center are moderately helpful, extremely entertaining, &
3)the hike we chose looked promising...
So, let's get on it!
...and took some time to learn some things...
 |
| Learning all about owl poo |
We saw a coyote. We almost lost the kids (more on that coming, I promise). We fought a little bit. We laughed a lot. And at the end of the day when we asked B & P what their favorite part of the day had been, they shouted at the top of their lungs, "THE HIKING!" Me, too, boys. Me, too.
The White Owl Canyon Trailhead starts at
the 33 Hole Road Parking Area
off the Lake Mead Highway.
Stay to the left as you come to the
3 parking areas.
The trail drops down
at the 2nd shelter house from the left.
The entire trail does make a big loop if you
don't want to turn around like we did.
A detailed description can be found here.
One caution: There is a LOT of trash and broken glass
along the trail
before you reach the canyon.
It is obviously a party hangout.
Especially with kids, be careful-
or turn it into a great service project for them!
One caution: There is a LOT of trash and broken glass
along the trail
before you reach the canyon.
It is obviously a party hangout.
Especially with kids, be careful-
or turn it into a great service project for them!
I drove by Lake Mead once, but never stopped. I would love to get back one day to explore the area a little more.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos! I live on the east coast and have never been to Lake Mead but my brother hiked there last year and said it was amazing. That's so awesome that you had the place to yourself. I can't imagine being in a place that beautiful without anyone else around.
ReplyDeleteWow! So beautiful. It looks like an amazing place to hike. I hope my children enjoy hiking as they grow so we can go together too!
ReplyDeleteIt truly is beautiful there-you got some really great photos. I wouldn't mind going there (never have been) and just hiking at my own (snails) pace.
ReplyDeleteI love hiking. I used to hike all the time at school when I was young. We always went almost every weekend, I kinda missed it. Maybe one day I will take my kids. The land looks so beautiful, so funny how the ranger kept saying You gotta be careful after you said you hike all the time. Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteThis makes me miss hiking so much. I still go hiking but due to my spine collapsing and all of the woes of from then to here, I can't go hiking for long periods of time anymore. I love all of your photos, I'm a photo fanatic.
ReplyDeleteI laughed at the discussion you had in your head with the rangers. Glad I'm not the only one who does that. I would love to hike "White" Owl Canyon, making sure not to leave the "white" part out. :) Your pictures are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow looks like a beautiful place. I would LOVE to go hiking or visit a place like this. I don't travel often, nor have I been out of Canada and sadly these type of places are rare around here. Your photos are lovely, and very telling!
ReplyDeleteI've never been there but you've made it a future destination! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow, you inspire me! My boys are on Spring Break right now but we are staying around Chicago since we just took a trip last month. Wish I had the gusto to pack them into the car and travel like you. And to such a gorgeous place! It is so wonderful to introduce your kids to the love of nature. Wish I could tag along!
ReplyDeleteAmanda
www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
Oh my goodness... I have been to Lake Mead several times but I have never hiked, let alone heard of Owl Canyon. It looks gorgeous! You actually made me laugh about the Owl Canyon convo. I think I'll still call it Owl Canyon and not White Owl Canyon... OR should I? Apparently it makes a huge difference! LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL on realizing the path after the fact. That's something I'd totally do too. This still looks like fun and I like the pics!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness LOL Looks like beautiful countryside - too bad the rangers weren't...better. LOL
ReplyDeleteLake Mead is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteLove your get-up-and-go attitude. I also really enjoy being spontaneous and just getting out on the road and driving to a new spot. Especially since my husband and I are brand new to the United States, everything is super exciting to us. Lol at the ranger giving you advice about the terrain for your kids to hike on, that was kinda sweet.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a cool place! I will try to stay away from the Rangers.
ReplyDeleteSuch Beautiful Landscape. Which State is Lake Mead in?
ReplyDeleteOh, slot canyon! I just love that place. Beautiful pics and family. =)
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting park "sales technique" that guy did NOT have! lol I'm glad you ended up having a great time!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful landscapes! It's so beautiful there. I definitely plan on going back and venturing out on several hikes. Glad you introduced me to these picturesque locations.
ReplyDeleteI have never been but your pictures make me want to go. What a beautiful experience! Especially when shared with those you love!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do! People think of Nevada as being dry and boring, but it really is incredible.
ReplyDeleteI know, right! His "concern" only added to the fun ;)
ReplyDeleteNevada-it's less than 30 minutes from the Las Vegas Strip.
ReplyDeleteYes, do! :) I'm sure they are very great...
ReplyDeleteWhere did you move from? Yes, the ranger did seem very concerned for us and I can appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteIt is! The sunsets were the best as the rocks literally changed color as the light angles changed.
ReplyDeleteAdded to our memories, right? It definitely was beautiful.
ReplyDeleteComically, it happens to me all the time...I think my husband just shakes his head at me when I'm not looking.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, don't get yourself banned from the park by going and asking for the wrong place ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do get to go someday! So many beautiful things to do and so class to Las Vegas, too!
ReplyDeleteNo, you're right, I've not seen a lot of red rock in Canada. What are some of the beautiful places near you?
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I'm not the only one! When my husband read my post last night he couldn't stop laughing at how literally I wrote exactly what I was thinking.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear about your injuries. Sometimes shorter hikes help us to slow down and appreciate what we're seeing. Hope you still are seeing some amazing things.
ReplyDeleteIt's a reaction we get all the time, unfortunately. I do hope you can take the kids hiking sometime-even close to home. It'll be a totally new experience with them along!
ReplyDeleteHiking slowly can be one of the most rewarding experiences. You really get to see and take in everything around you!
ReplyDeleteI hope they do, too. My kids don't always love it, but I believe it's good for them, and our family, to have the time together doing it.
ReplyDeleteI know if we went later in the season, there would be more people, but this particular hike isn't listed on the park's official list, so maybe the odds are good of doing it alone when you come, too!
ReplyDeleteThis was the first time we've made it the destination instead of just passing through. I hope you do get to explore it soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Charlotte. In the end, it is definitely always worth it to have been out there together.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Slot canyons are pretty incredible.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a gorgeous place to hike. It has been a long time since I have hiked.. probably way too long. I need to find a child backpack carrier first :)
ReplyDeleteA carrier definitely makes all the difference. I've written about a time when we forgot ours http://www.alocalwander.com/2013/09/learning-from-memory.html Check second-hand kids stores, they always have them!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous place to visit! We don't do too much hiking, but we will go occasionally (usually when we're traveling elsewhere), and it can be a lot of fun. Looks like the entire family had a blast!
ReplyDeleteThis is a beautiful place to hike. I love all the scenery and the nature that surrounds you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great adventure. Wonderful way to spend time with family.
ReplyDeleteHiking is a good thing to do when you're on vacation. And it's a great family activity. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! I love that ranger though. He sounds like quite the character.
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful family and it looks like you guys had a fantastic time. I love the scenery and the serenity of nature. I hope to one day take a trip like this as well.
ReplyDeleteLooks like an amazing place for hiking! Can't believe that the old ranger did not want to help you much!
ReplyDeleteEverything looks so gorgeous! The sun lays so pretty in your photos.
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude, that's right. It just adds to the story.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had here beautiful scenary like this
ReplyDeleteWhat a great place to hike with your family. I like that it's such an open and uncluttered area.
ReplyDeleteWow...what a cool looking hike! I love to hike, but I particularly love trails like these where there is more to explore than just a simple trail :). Love your photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Vicky! I do sometimes miss a simple trails I grew up with in the midwest, but nothing beats hiking through a canyon like this and never knowing what to expect!
ReplyDeleteIt definitely was open. That was part of what made the canyon so exciting, because we couldn't see it until we were around a corner and in it.
ReplyDeleteWhere do you call home? I'm sure there's something equally as beautiful there!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nina! I was so excited to get home and look through the photos. Several of them are going up in my house...I'm not always so lucky!
ReplyDeleteI gave him the benefit of the doubt that it's early in the season and he was probably still learning the ropes. But, still...
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you do get to, it can really be calming and help everything come back into perspective.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos! While having adventure with your kids you are also sharing your world them. Kids love adventure.Thanks for sharing your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you! There is nothing better than having out on the trail with us! I see so much more watching what they are seeing and doing.
ReplyDelete