This weekend Allan took each of the older girls out on a hike. He and Brooklyn went to Picket Post Mountain on Saturday and today (Sunday) he and Sierra went to the Superstition Mountains.
And these are their stories.
As told by Allan.
So from here on, Allan writing!
Saturday morning we went out to breakfast and noticed the weather was wonderful. It was like 67 degrees and breezy. It just occured to me this might be a good day for a hike! It has been over 100 for the last week and for it to be this cool out was completely unexpected, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity!
So I said to Brook, “Wanna hike Picket Post?” And she was like, “Totally!”
So we got our gear and took off.
We got to the trailhead at 11am and looked up at the cliff face that would be our trail to the top, we looked at each other and said, “Let’s do this!”
Brook took off at a brisk pace. She kept looking at the highest point very determined.
This is our first rest, the highest point on the trail that the entire family had ever reached. It made her happy to know she was stepping into the unknown.
The trail led us right up to the face of the mountain where we started to climb… up!
And then up some more!
Stopping for a moment to ponder the meaning of life. Or something.
I think we found lunch. (look closely in the middle of the picture)
Decided on banana chips and jerky instead.
I guess we should’ve known, the trail would get even steeper.
Look at those cliffs towering above us. What a thrill.
Eating lunch on a ledge.
Brook sees the trail pass to the top of the ridge, excited to be getting close!
We took this one to play a joke on Ariana, we told her that we had to climb to the top of this rock to make the summit. We didn’t climb the rock!
Near the top it flattens out, it’s a short walk from there to the high point and a 360 view of the Superstition Wilderness.
Brook at the top on a bench with a sucker. Life couldn’t be better (who brought the bench?!)
We checked the box for mail but no one was thoughtful enough to send any to us. It was fun for Brook to see a mailbox at the top of this mountain.
Just a couple of shots from the top.
We lost the trail coming down and Brook got a little nervous.
When we found the trail again, she was pretty excited. Never fear when dad is near!
Brook said while we were hiking, “This is the best day of my life!” It means so much to know I’m making memories with my daughter. Neither of us will ever forget this day.
We conquered Picket Post Mountain… together!
When I got home on Saturday I noticed Sierra was really enthralled by our stories about the hike. I told her, “Tomorrow it’s your turn!”
So on Sunday after church we had some lunch and took off on another adventure. I asked Sierra which trail she wanted to try and she said, “The one that goes to the top of the mountain.” And I said, “I know exactly which one we will do!”
I took her to Peralta Canyon and when we got out of the car we saw the mountain I planned to climb. Sierra was really excited. I thought to myself, “She’ll probably be able to make it up that.” Little did I know we’d pass on that mountain and climb one tweice and big.
While I was preparing the backpack Sierra was practicing her autograph.
At the trailhead.
Sierra motored off like I’ve never seen her do before. She was obviously on a mission!
Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time.
Seesie taking a break.
… a cool break.
Sierra as we passed over to the other side of the ridge. This opened a whole new landscape to our view. She just loves beautiful landscape views.
Here’s a shot of the view.
A small water break before our last push up to the top of the mountain.
Sierra liked the bright yellow yucca flowers. Our destination is the top of the mountain behind the yucca.
We had to take an unmaintained trail to get to the top of the mountain. Sierra decided to pose for a few pictures before breaking off the main trail. She was really into pictures on this trip!
Sierra was just soaking up the experience. (Ariana interjecting, this is my favorite picture from their adventure!)
I’m so proud of her for how she challenged herself and made it to the top of the mountain. Almost to the top. We still had a little unfinished business. We chose to try to climb the rocks behind us to try to get to the high point. (Sorry, Ariana interjecting again, maybe this is my favorite!)
This wasn’t nearly as dangerous as it looks. I was practically laying down on the ground and distortion helped us quite a bit on these shots. That didn’t stop her from feeling like a professional rock climber!
It took some careful work but we got to the top of the rock pile. That was the top of the mountain.
Heading back down as the sun was setting over the Superstition Mountains. This is such an untamed wilderness full of mystery and adventure. Somehow little Sierra was totally in her element here.
She blew me away with how grown up she’s getting. She talked to me about things I didn’t know she even thought about. She really is quite a special person. I’m so proud to be her dad.
We made it back to the car before dark and raced home to have a campfire in the backyard with the family. The end to a perfect weekend of adventures!