Spruces Camping Trip 2011

July 1-4, 2011

The Spruces campground (Big Cottonwood Canyon) has been the site of the Swenson Family Camping Trip for many years now. Our best site...definitely number 31 (although I did see a few other I may want to try in the future).  There are so many great things about site!  The trees are arranged perfectly in case we need to put up a tarp for sun/rain cover or we can move the camp chairs under the pines for afternoon shade.  We are able to fit 4 tents in the area (2 and 4 person tents). There is a small stream that runs right through the site and the older kids have a great time crossing on the logs. There is a larger river about 40 yards away where we could fish if we wanted (this year it was running very high). There is a cool breeze that flows through camp on a regular basis.

This year was our longest trip that I can remember thanks to the fact that the 4th was on a Monday. We also had a great turnout of family members.  Everyone that is living in Utah made up this year although most did not stay overnight.  We also were excited to have Jennifer and McKaella with us while they are visiting Utah(they currently live in Hawaii).

We went on a couple great hikes that we had not been on before.  The first was up to Donut Falls (Hikers: Kelly, Jennifer, McKaella, Tristan & Kristy).  We started at the spruces campground instead of driving down the road to the trail head.  It was a great hike and thanks to the late runoff this year the falls where gushing water. 

The second hike was to Solitude Lake (Hikers: Kelly, Aaron, Zachary, Kerry Isaiah, Jennifer, McKaella, Casey & Kristy). On the way up we stopped for a break and this series of photos was taken.  Zachary was ready for his photo shoot!

We had to navigate around many fallen trees and long stretches of snow but the view at the end was wonderful.

Jennifer, Casey & Isaiah spent a lot of time playing on the logs/in the stream by the campsite.  I am not sure whether Jennifer was helping Isaiah get on the log or if she pushed him into the water. I will let you be the judge. :)

Everyone pitched in to keep track on the young kids, cook food, set up tents & cut firewood. I believe we all had a great time!

On Sunday afternoon Caley, Caden and Zachary had a great time playing together at camp.  At the end of the evening they all put on capes (dish towels) and found their wands (sticks).  It was great to watch them running around while producing there own types of spells. Luckily no damage was done!

I CAN'T WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR!!!