All roads lead to roam: Cane Creek Canyon NP Take 2

Ben asked all last week when we could go again. So, we decided to do another hike for today, planning to go to Karen's Falls, which was the furthermost point on the original map at 3.5 miles one way. They have since added acreage and a second map and there's another point in a different direction that is just about the same distance. Another day!

Last night, we packed our day packs and I loaded up the new backpacking stove and big pot. Eep! The stove is 4 years old, the pot we got yesterday (a whole set!), I had not gotten to use either yet! Everyone got a ramen instant lunch or a cup of soup that was an 'add boiling water' type and a spork! : ) We tossed in a couple protein bars each and got to bed at a decent time.

This morning I got up and fixed some fruit to take and we had breakfast and hit the road. The canyon is just at 2 hours from here, we arrived and loaded up and got on the trail by 10:20. By 10:25, Ben had slid on a rock and slammed his hip and around 10:26, I slipped and busted my ass a good one. I chipped a tooth. Good thing I am going back in the first of next month, maybe she can sand it down and take the edge off.

We fiddled around getting down the trail. Jake did not go with us last week, so he had to run around looking at everything we had already seen. We stopped at the waterfalls again, and at the overlook to chat with Dr. Lacefield, the landowner. Then at the first bridge and at Linden Meadows and then again at the creek in about 6 different places. It took us 4 hours to get 3.5 miles. I had another fall and grabbed a thorn tree to stop my slide which bent down far enough to literally nail Ben in the head. He was asking if I was okay while I was digging through his hair pulling thorns out of his scalp! My rear-end will be purple tomorrow. His head seems to be okay.

We got to Karen's Falls and I got the stove out and heated water. It went SO well, we had picked up a liter of water at Linden Meadows where the Lacefield's keep a stock of fresh water. I had that boiling in about 4 minutes. That was enough for the kids and I had their little cuppa soups steeping in no time. I added a box of corn chowder to the water that was left and got that boiling and poured it in Matt's cup and mine and let those steep. Ben and Chan split the rest of the chowder.

I set the stove off to cool and we ate and chatted and drank our water and rested up a little.

I wanted to leave the falls by 3, it was more like 3:30, so we had to make tracks! We needed to be back to Linden Meadows by 5 because the sunset was at 5:30.

We walked a steady pace, getting to the Meadows by 4:59. The kids refilled their bottles and we all had a quick rest before hitting the hill out.

Down in the canyon, it's fairly flat walking, short hills and a little climbing here and there, but the trail goes by the creek and it's a pleasant hike. The climb out is steep and there are several routes, none are just ducky. We opted to take the road out and not the steep trail, I was tired, Zephyr was dragging and the kids were...well, still bouncing around like those balls in a child's popper walker thingy. The road is wider and not as steep and I rationed would be easier to follow if the sun set while we were out. Plus, if I fell over from exhaustion, it would be easier to come get me with a mule or maybe the 4x4 woodland scooter they have.

We got to the van at 5:35! Matt signed us out and returned the maps, we chatted with Dr. Lacefield a little more and hit the road by 6. We had filled up last night and stopped at the same place to top off tonight and it was $21, so that's how much gas we used-about 7 gallons, pretty cheap for such a great day together! And that means the van got over 25 miles a gallon! Go, Nettlevan!

Highlights of the day-Jake standing on a bridge paddling furiously with a hiking stick yelling, "Go swiftly, my cement raft!" Ben's attempts to locate the origin of nearly every fallen branch we passed. Zeppie coming totally unglued and barking furiously at Jake, who was hiding behind a rock trying to jump out to scare Matt. Ben waxing poetic: "the moon tonight is like a wart in the atmosphere". Chan was there, she was just really quiet today.

To possibly clear up confusion about where exactly I am talking about using various place names from the preserve, I swiped these first two shots right off their FB page.

Today we started at the parking, went to the waterfalls, point, tree fern cave, down to Linden Meadows, following Cane Creek Trail to Old Beaver Pond around the Fossil Trail through Devil's Hollow past a couple of other falls to Karen's Falls, and then back.

Click on the map above, it gets bigger.

These two were thick as thieves today.
They filmed 5-6 new segments for 'Child vs Wild'

Matt took this one!

Jake and Chan, having jumped across the creek, now wanted back on our side of things. They spent a few minutes searching for a route and contemplating drop vs slope vs creek depth/proximity. Khan can't teach them EVERY formula!