Family Backpacking Trip 2013

So last weekend we went on our annual family backpacking trip.  We decided to revisit Kamas Lake. Last year we did the loop up to lofty and down but it was a pretty steep climb an the kids decided that they just wanted to go to Kamas.  We remembered that there was some uphill, but forgot how steep of a climb it was to get to just the first lake. But we all did great and the kids were true super stars, no complaints just hiked and hiked till we reached our destination.

I posted a lot of pictures, but since I think only Megan reads this blog, she will really enjoy them :)

Here we are at the trail head.  We got there at about 6:30 p.m., so we didn't get to camp until 8:30 and had to set up fast before total darkness. I think we ate dinner around 9:30, we were all pretty hungry by then!

Aiden resting by a cute little stream.

 Eliza by our packs.

I think Russell carried about 70 pounds on his back, plus the cooler. Although I carried the cooler half of the time. My back was around 40 pounds. I told Russ we could do anything for 2 miles. but half way there I decided we overly ambitious with our loads!

Cute Eliza was such a champ with her big pack.

 We found a beautiful spot to set up camp and we were the only campers at the lake and it was awesome. Here is Eliza sawing some wood.

Here is our site, right by Kamas Lake.

We found us a nice flat rock and played quite a few rounds pass the pigs and uno.

 My brave boys going for a dip in the freezing water!

They even went all the way under!!

Aiden rescued this butterfly from the lake and Eliza held it for quite a while till it's wings dried out and it flew away. She loved it.

Jack loved wading in the clear water.

 Russell is such a great dad on these trips. Carrying everything, cooking everything, and making it such a fun adventure. (He is a great dad all the time just to clarify.)

We found this raft that someone made on the other side of the lake. Russell was going to push them out to the middle but they weren't too sure that was such a great idea. So they just played on it for a bit.

Cute Aiden tried his best to catch a fish. He had three poles going and no luck. We could see them jumping every where out there but they weren't loving our bait.  Maybe next year.  

We had awesome weather, no bugs and a perfect weekend.