All week my brother had been wanting to go on this trail he heard about, Beehive Basin Trail. They say it is suppose to be one of the best hiking places in the world. Everyone was eager to go until he read that this was a 7 mile hike and would last about 3 hours. Of course we knew this was probably not the best idea to take the kids on so that was half our group, then there were some minor injuries from the waterfall hike, those that needed a jump start on packing, and well those who really don't like hiking.
Down to 3...Brother (of course since it was his idea), Dad, and myself. I think I threw them off because we don't really get out and hike but not because I don't want to...more like its not my husband's preferred recreational activity. Growing up I loved going into the woods and spending the day with my brother exploring, not exactly the same but honestly I think we were more adventurous then. My fear of snakes, mountain lions, and coyotes has become worse since having kids.
After breakfast we packed provisions not knowing exactly what we were about to encounter, brought several bottles of water and a few snacks and protein bars. It was only a 3 minute drive to the trailhead from our cabin, if I wasn't such a sissy about the road and so many curves I may have ran it. Alas I am also afraid of getting hit by a car while running. (I have a friend who was hit so it is a valid fear)
Of course the first sign we come to has a notice about bear traps. I know this is the forest and there are bears but it makes it more real to have these warnings. And as I was looking up some information about the trail I came across someone saying that there was a mama bear and cub on the trail the week after we were there!
I found this building on a mountain which was above us near our starting point that I used as a frame of reference of our climb in elevation. There are many comments on how long the trail was some say only 4 mile round trip up to 8 miles.
It was a great day for this, not to hot and not a strong wind. The views were breathtaking and I could definitely live in this part of the country to get these views. I had forgot to sync my Garmin running watch so I missed tracking the first 1/3 mile but at this point remembered.
The well worn path is wide enough for one person and on both sides are these beautiful wild flowers growing.
We were about 1.5 miles into our hike when I snapped this picture of my focal point. The trail is about a 750 ft climb in elevation.
We reached the base of the switchbacks which lead up to the lake but took a break to catch our breath and enjoy the view. There are homes built along the trail tucked away. This one rests near the switchbacks.
Here is another shot of how far up we have climbed. That is my focal point off center to the right.
As we were resting we heard a noise. I thought it sounded like a horse but we didn't see any barns around let alone fencing and my dad thought it was a door shutting to the house nearby. We continued to sit quietly resting and talking about the noise because it was so odd when out of the woods steps a female MOOSE!
Within a few moments a baby makes an appearance as well! While what I heard was not a horse I was close with the sound.
We watched them for about 10 minutes while they grazed until more hikers came along. The trail is supposedly a very busy place but we had it all to ourselves until this point.
We noticed dark clouds moving in and my brother had become ill so we decided to head back to the truck. It was about then that my brother and I heard another noise, a growl. While we never saw what it was it sounded deep and loud more like a bear. Now knowing that the next week a bear was spotted in the area it makes us more apt to think that it was.
This was about 200 ft from where we had seen the moose and about the spot we heard the growl. We had been joking on the way up about what we would do if we ran into a bear. My brother offered to sacrifice himself by leading and told us where his keys were in case...except he had them and would defeat the purpose of his sacrifice (haha).
The beautiful day we had started with was quickly changing to be perfect storm.
While we were quick about getting back to the car we still took the time to take some pictures.
Fork in the road...
I purposefully left my dad and brother out of pictures as much as I could...mainly because my dad may kill me if he saw himself online but I couldn't pass this one up.
His outfit cracks me up. If you know him, you know he does not wear shorts and especially not ankle socks. We made a stop on the way up, at the request of my sister, to buy him some short socks so we all didn't have to be so embarrassed by his tube socks and shorts combination. Paired with a fishing hat, best Dad EVER! These pictures will keep us laughing.
I do want to point out that while it looks like an easy trail it really is deceiving. If you step off slightly going downhill it drops quite a bit. The grass and flowers makes it look level or a gradual slope but I assure you it's not. We found out by trying to move over to let a family by. Oh and while walking on the trail keep your eye on the trail and your feet up. I stumbled many times, although taking pictures and talking didn't help.
Nearing the base of the trail.
We turned back at a perfect time. Made it to the truck and as soon as we shut the door it started sprinkling. By the time we made it back to the cabin it was a full downpour!
I enjoyed this adventure with my dad and brother, I believe it was a first for me spending time alone with them.
We were truly blessed with this trip. I thought that by the end we would be leaving with having a few arguments, kids exhausted, and not sure we would want to attempt this again...But it was completely the opposite.
There was only one disagreement that I remember and it was the first day but VERY minor. Kids played really well and quietly. Highly recommend legos on trips like this, kept them busy, working together, and quiet. Oh and a bunk bed doesn't hurt either but it wasn't a quiet activity for them. Everyone slept well although I could have slept better not hitting my head in the middle of the night, we were bottom bunk. And we can't wait to plan the next big family vacation.
Sad that this is the last night they will see each other for a while.
We ended the night roasting marshmallows, and relaxing by a smoldering log waiting for laundry to finish and planning our trip home. We were all leaving at different times. Our plan was to leave around 5am so we said our goodbyes that night. We may have stayed up extra late...maybe 1am, but it was worth it to play one more game of Mexican Dominos.
Saturday we were the first up and had almost everything packed and ready to head out before my parents woke up. We even encountered a furry friend who lives under the front porch. The kids had said they seen an animal on the front porch the night before but we didn't believe them. My oldest said he thought it was a fox...he was right. My husband was loading our car when he turned around and it was stand right behind him.
One last look around our room before loading up the last sleeping kid. Now you can see why I hit my head in the middle of the night.
The boys had the top bunk, can you spot my youngest still sleeping? During the whole trip we only had one incident with someone falling off and that was only because they weren't using the ladder. They were climbing on the front side and the beam rolled. Lesson Learned, they were ok just shaken up and still sore from falling out of the hot tub on the first day so he slept on the couch a couple nights.
Trying to wake him up to say goodbye to grandma and grandpa before we head out.
Breakfast...leftover s'more makings.
Of course we can't leave without having a few deer run out into the road as we head down the mountain.
We were on the road by 6am enjoying a new path home through the Indian Reservation in Montana and South Dakota. We have already started planning return vacations to see some other sites like Custard's Last Stand, Mount Rushmore, and of course more trails.
We stopped in Sturgis for gas and food, we didn't see anywhere to get gas while driving though the reservation. It was an eye opening experience. I did a lot of research when I could get cell service.
Our plan was to stop in Sioux Falls, Iowa for the night but when we arrived the app I used had changed the date to be in 3 weeks. We were able to get them to cancel the room, they didn't have any other rooms available unless we wanted to pay $250 and considering we only needed a bed to sleep for 5 hours it wasn't worth it. If you are wondering if it was user error especially since it was midnight, I tried to book another place without fulfilling the purchase and it did it again changing the date to be 3 weeks from the day I had said.
I also found a fault with apps like Expedia, which I used on the way up with success, you can't book a hotel at midnight for checking out the same day. This was our biggest frustration about the trip since we had been driving for almost 18 hours. In the end we...ok my husband drove the rest of the way home. I fell asleep around 2am until we exited toward our house. 24 hours in the car, it was good to be home! My parents were 2 hours behind us and had the same problem of not being able to find a vacancy. If we would have known we may have ended up with the $250 room and shared it with them but I think we were all happy to be back home in our own beds.
My kids STILL ask to go back to the cabin and want to live in the mountains. It was an awesome trip bringing us all closer. Next time I hope my baby brother can come too.
I hope you enjoyed our adventures! Let me know what your favorite road trips have been!
No comments:
Post a Comment