Friday, July 18 and 19 I took Amina on an overnight backpacking trip to Malan's Peak. The trip was sponsored by the Clearfield 4th Ward Elders Quorum. Our good friend Tim Young, also the Elders Quorum President, planned the trip and even loaned us equipment that we were lacking. We couldn't have gone without his help. Thanks Tim! the only other two people that went on the trip were Matt Lloyd and David Allred. the numbers were small but we had a great time.
We started at the top of 27th street in Ogden. From there the trail went 3 miles up, and I mean UP, to Malan's Peak, then about 1/2 mile down into Malan's Basin. The hike up to the peak was brutal! I was huffing and puffing every step thinking I was going to kill over at any time. Somehow I was able to keep putting one foot in front of the other and finally made it to the peak. Hallelujah! From all of the backpacking trips I went on as a kid I can not remember such a difficult hike. My body aches all over today (Sunday).
This was the first backpacking trip for Amina. She did an amazing job. I just need to get her a real backpack (not just Dad's knapsack) so that we can take more trips in the future. It did wear her out as well. After the trip she showered, laid on her bed and crashed. she woke up for a little bit just before bedtime. Then today (Sunday) she slept in and got even more sleep.
We arrived at Malan's Basin just before sundown. We set up camp, ate some Cup-o-Noodles, listened to Tim's mad harmonica skills then turned in for the night. Before we went to sleep, Amina and I stayed up and played the best Farkle game EVER! Felicia and I played Farkle when I took her to girl's camp with me a couple of years ago (yes, she went to girls camp before Sadie ever did) so I think Amina made sure she didn't miss out on that experience. It was great fun. For the record, I won 2 out of 3. We didn't take anything to write on so we kept score on our hot chocolate packages.
Our Farkle score cards because we didn't have anything else on which to write.
Amina and me at Malan's Basin.
Our fearless guide Tim Young.Saturday morning we all set off on a search for the boiler, the only remaining evidence of the old Malan's Basin Resort. We didn't have to look far. It was only about 100 yards down from where we camped. After we found the boiler, Matt and David went home and Tim, Amina and I went on a hike down the stream to see if we could find the top of Waterfall Canyon. The hike was awesome! The trail was very poor and very difficult in some spots. We made it to the rocky cliffs that lead to Waterfall Canyon but we decided not to make the decent all the way down to the waterfall. We did however see a rattlesnake. I heard the rattle and saw the snake slithering under a rock. It must have only been 5 feet or less away from us. It was quite small so I think it was a juvenile. Anyway, I stopped Amina and had her walk up a different way. I had never seen a rattlesnake in the wild before so that was pretty cool, but I was also a little freaked out. I would hate to think what would happen if Amina got bit by one. We have not had super great luck with overnight camping activities with Amina. Explaining that one to Melanie would have been interesting.
Checking out the Boiler in Malan's Basin.
A tree growing around a rock we found on the hike down to Waterfall Canyon.Hiking down from the mountain was much harder than one would expect. I didn't have the problem of constantly trying to catch my breath, but it was nearly as difficult. My legs felt like rubber and, with all the pressure on my toes, my feet were killing me. We did, however, make it back safe and sound- exhausted and looking forward to going on another hike. -Ryan
Taking a break during the hike back home.
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