Hike #2: Monument

 This is a must-do hike every summer, according to Winnie. I'd have to agree. We set off on the 6.5-mile hike on Friday, July 7. That's a little earlier in the season than we usually do this one, and we had had a very wet spring, so there was much more water than we were used to on this hike. It's been a long time since we've hiked it and there's still been a snow melt waterfall over the rocks before your final ascent to the monument.

Trailhead selfie. Grandma and Grandpa Scott were able to accompany Winnie and me on this hike.

Winnie's silly hiking face.

The previously mentioned snow melt waterfall. This is the first time when he's ever seen water at this point of the hike.

Grandpa, Winnie and Grandma at the monument.

Checking out ice in the mouth of the cave.

Even more ice in the cave. We usually don't see this here.

Winnie outside the cave.

Grandpa laying out our wet things on The monuments while we eat lunch. Our socks and shoes got pretty well soaked as we climbed up into the cave. Usually it's easy to step on rocks across the creek without getting your feet wet, but there was more water this time.