Sandstone Addiction
08-19-2012, 08:31 PM
Our family (my wife Nancy, Justin (11), Brandon (9), Trevor (5) and I) needed to get a little vacation in before the start of school, so we decided to try some of the canyons in Zion out for the first time. We had been to Zion a time or two, but like most tourists, we didn't make it too far away from the shuttle bus.
With the help of kind folks on Bogley, we decided to first test our skills on Keyhole Canyon and we were blown away at how awesome it was for such a short canyon.
We left Happy Valley just before 6am and arrived at ZAC around 10am were we had 2 kids wetsuits reserved. The people at ZAC were very friendly and helpful outfitting my two youngest boys. The wetsuits they had, (only full wetsuits I could find to rent) were a little too big, but thanks to @moab mark (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=6798) , they both had a shortie to wear underneath for added protection.
Soon after, we were waiting in a long line at the gate and it was starting to get kinda hot outside. After what seemed like forever, we then had the fun of trying to find a parking spot at the Visitor Center to get our permits. No luck, we had to park illegally with Nancy staying in the Tahoe while I went in to shell out more money. Good luck though, no line at the Wilderness Desk and I soon had permits for both Keyhole and Echo for the next day. Learned some valuable lessons that day.
We were finally on our way to the trailhead through the tunnels and soon found the pull out to park and start the hike.
The approach was pretty straightforward and wasn't long before we were headed to hoodoo pass.
57916
The boys were having a good time.
57917
Steep decent into the canyon bottom.
57918
Ahhh, nice and cool at the first pool. I'm trying out my new Landjoff Canyon pack.
57919
The slot is beautiful and the pools cold.
57898
Trevor having more fun than on the slides at 7 Peaks.
57899
Everyone having fun in the pools.
57900
Downclimbing under the remains of a tree long ago wedged in the canyon walls.
57901
Trevor rappin with dad. He was very brave and seemed to enjoy all the raps.
57902
Justin certainly has come a long ways. No more need for stacked ATC's!
57903
Brandon having a great time!
57904
Nancy opting for the dry disconnect.
57905
57906
57907
Nancy ready to belay and avoiding the cold water.
57908
Brandon rappin with his teeth chattering :cold:
57909
57910
The boys enjoyed all the raps.
57911
Very fun and beautiful little canyon.
57912
These two were looking for the warm sun! :haha: This was just after I'd asked Trevor "Isn't this canyon the coolest!?!?" He promptly told me "Not cool". :haha: He changed his mind soon after of course.
57913
57914
Everyone had a great time! :cool2:
57915
We made it back to the Tahoe just in time to meet Mr. Ranger looking for our papers. Being a noob and all, I had left them in the Tahoe which he didn't like too much but lucky for us, he received a more important call and had to leave promptly. He was very polite and I learned my lesson.
Thanks everyone for your insight, help, and shortie wetsuits that made this a very fun, positive, and memorable family event. We will surely do this canyon again and again.
With the help of kind folks on Bogley, we decided to first test our skills on Keyhole Canyon and we were blown away at how awesome it was for such a short canyon.
We left Happy Valley just before 6am and arrived at ZAC around 10am were we had 2 kids wetsuits reserved. The people at ZAC were very friendly and helpful outfitting my two youngest boys. The wetsuits they had, (only full wetsuits I could find to rent) were a little too big, but thanks to @moab mark (http://www.bogley.com/forum/member.php?u=6798) , they both had a shortie to wear underneath for added protection.
Soon after, we were waiting in a long line at the gate and it was starting to get kinda hot outside. After what seemed like forever, we then had the fun of trying to find a parking spot at the Visitor Center to get our permits. No luck, we had to park illegally with Nancy staying in the Tahoe while I went in to shell out more money. Good luck though, no line at the Wilderness Desk and I soon had permits for both Keyhole and Echo for the next day. Learned some valuable lessons that day.
We were finally on our way to the trailhead through the tunnels and soon found the pull out to park and start the hike.
The approach was pretty straightforward and wasn't long before we were headed to hoodoo pass.
57916
The boys were having a good time.
57917
Steep decent into the canyon bottom.
57918
Ahhh, nice and cool at the first pool. I'm trying out my new Landjoff Canyon pack.
57919
The slot is beautiful and the pools cold.
57898
Trevor having more fun than on the slides at 7 Peaks.
57899
Everyone having fun in the pools.
57900
Downclimbing under the remains of a tree long ago wedged in the canyon walls.
57901
Trevor rappin with dad. He was very brave and seemed to enjoy all the raps.
57902
Justin certainly has come a long ways. No more need for stacked ATC's!
57903
Brandon having a great time!
57904
Nancy opting for the dry disconnect.
57905
57906
57907
Nancy ready to belay and avoiding the cold water.
57908
Brandon rappin with his teeth chattering :cold:
57909
57910
The boys enjoyed all the raps.
57911
Very fun and beautiful little canyon.
57912
These two were looking for the warm sun! :haha: This was just after I'd asked Trevor "Isn't this canyon the coolest!?!?" He promptly told me "Not cool". :haha: He changed his mind soon after of course.
57913
57914
Everyone had a great time! :cool2:
57915
We made it back to the Tahoe just in time to meet Mr. Ranger looking for our papers. Being a noob and all, I had left them in the Tahoe which he didn't like too much but lucky for us, he received a more important call and had to leave promptly. He was very polite and I learned my lesson.
Thanks everyone for your insight, help, and shortie wetsuits that made this a very fun, positive, and memorable family event. We will surely do this canyon again and again.