Alright, so this weekend we went for a little hike up American Fork Canyon. We left the house around 9:45-10:00. Made a pit stop at my brothers house to get my sunglasses I had forgotten over there. Then we stopped by REI and bought Sydnie a new Camelback, and a pit stop at the grocery store for a few things. 1.5 hours later of not even leaving a 20 minute radius of our house Appa's excitement had turned into pure boredom.



We did finally make it to the trail at 12:30. He was much happier now.


Stats:
Distance: 4.4miles roundtrip
Elevation gain: 1,539ft
Time: 2:53



Photos:
Just heading up the trail, the weather was absolutely perfect.


There were a few streams we crossed, once again turning Appa's carried water into nothing more than weight on his back.


Towards the top looking back behind us, where we'd come from. Fall has a stranglehold on the leaves right now. I love it.


Annnnd the destination: There was snow, and a biting cold wind. Sydnie took some pictures, Appa played in the snow. I'll post a little of video of Appa in the snow later. (click for a larger panoramic)


On the way down:


And for comparison - this was only last month in the same spot


All in all it was a great trip, except the fact that hunting season just started and some hunters drug a dead deer right past us. Appa was freaking out, I had to hold him off the ground by his harness. He was sniffing out and licking up all the blood spots along the trail for awhile. He eventually found a piece of deer that must have broken off as they drug it down. He ate it. I was not about to grab it out of his mouth. Luckily it passed through without a hiccup or upset.

What a beautiful hike!
Looks like it was a fun hike!

Love the aspen leaves.
I'll bet you got your HOTM pix there.

This is my favorite time of the year to hike, except for the hunters.
I'm pretty careful about going where they aren't.
I hope. Still it makes me nervous when I hear shots.
A hiker was killed outside of a state park here last weekend by a bear hunter.

I am thinking about getting Bodhi a blaze orange vest.

Great pictures! I think safty orange for human and dog is the best idea. I had thought of that when we were hiking whale peak and the whole camp site was hunters.

Awesome pics Riley! I wish we had somewhere to go hiking around here

Thanks! It was a fun time. We were actually discussing sewing him something orange to put over his backpack. And getting some orange for us as well.