Colorado Day 6

This was the final destination and it was worth it. But so hard!

It was drive home day, but first, we had a hike. Just east of Glenwood Springs is a reservation hike called Hanging Lake. Dad really wanted to go, but Mom keep warning him that it was steep. She was right. It was very, very steep. 

Dax spotted some bighorn sheep off the highway on the way. Then Mark started seeing birds: American goldfinch, spotted towhee, bald eagle, and swifts. Mom showed us a shrew and a vole. We even crossed four or five bridges, but every single step was up. There was a nice brook chuckling along next to the trail, and we saw several small waterfalls as we hiked straight up.

We started before the sun even came over the mountains.

Spotted Towhee

Bald Eagle near the river

Seth was tired after about 10 minutes. 

Seth found a Utah shaped rock.

There were lots of cute bridges. 

Mark and Dax were usually waiting for Mom and Seth.

The trail was shady and beautiful.

Tons of little waterfalls along the way!

Mom loves hiking with Dad!

Eventually, we came to a beautiful spot. The water above spouted over the rim of the canyon, sprinkling down more than a dozen waterfalls. It was as if the mountain was alive with ribbons of water. The trail even flattened out for a few yards. Then we realized that we'd need to climb a Cirith Ungol-like stair to get up to where those waterfalls were coming down. It was the last stretch.

Dad barely made the last few steps to the top. Then, we stepped out in Eden. There was a gorgeous emerald pool with brook trout sunning in the shade. A series of waterfalls peacefully fed this pool. There were benches and a boardwalk with just a few people. It was spectacular.

Hidden Lake is one of the most beautiful places we have been.

We all loved it!

Mom took this picture and is very proud of it. 

We were so happy to be at the top of the hike.

It was worth it!

The trail branched and led up further to another waterfall. This one was a large sputtering, spouting double chute. The larger waterfall fell from the edge high above. The shorter one gushed out of the middle of the stone wall. You could venture behind them and take pictures out through the curtain. They were so beautiful standing together like that. The hike, though difficult, had definitely been worth it.

This waterfall was amazing, too!

Can you see everyone underneath the falls?

You could walk right behind it. It was so cool!

Seth was a trooper on this hike.

We lucked out with family pictures on this trail. 

Hiking buddies!

Dad got pretty wet for this picture, as Mom couldn't get the lighting to work.

Mom's picture turned out great!

The remainder of the day was for driving home. It was around 6 hours, and the tire on the van was losing air at about 1 psi per 10 miles. We had to stop to fill it up 3 times, but we did finally make it home, though that tire was flat the next day.