Lost Creek Wilderness - Third and Final Day

When we started out on our backpacking trip, we were planning on doing a loop. However, Tuesday night mark decided that would be too long so we decided that the next morning we would head back the way we had come.  The plan was hike back to the place where we camped the first night and camp there again.

 There was a cave by where we camped that had water running through it.  The kids decided to explore it in the morning.

 A view of the scenery near our campsite.

 Morgan - trying to stay out of the water.

 Kate swimming across.  Kate loves the water.

 This area here with all the trees was beautiful.  I loved getting a picture with the kids hiking through it!

 Taking a break.

 Mark - filtering the water and refilling the water bottles.

 While we were stopped, I noticed this little ant carrying this great big chip through the grass.  I thought it was interesting to see the ant carrying something so much bigger than itself.

 Reagan hiking down the trail.

 Rob decided to try out Mark's backpack and see just how heavy it was.  It was heavy!!

 Reagan gives me a smile as she is taking a break!

 The kids found this rock and to get on top of it they had to climb the tree beside it like it was a fire pole.  The kids all got up on top of the rock and we ended up handing Kate up there, too.

 Morgan & Maddie waiting on top of the rock.

 The kids and Kate on top of the rock.

 Getting back down.

 A bunch of wild strawberries that the kids found while hiking.

We ran into a huge rain storm and hail storm which had pellets the size of lemon heads.  It rained for hours.  I wish I could have gotten pictures of the hail and our rain gear.  However, I had my camera put away so it wouldn't get west.  When we got to the point we were going to camp, we had a family discussion and we decided to just hike on out of the mountains.  We ended up hiking about 15 miles.  It was finally hitting my groove by the third day and the hiking seemed easier.  However, I must admit that I was not sad that we hiked on out.  It was nice to get back to a hotel with showers and toilets.  We went to a hotel in Colorado Springs after we got out of the mountains.