Last weekend we ventured to
Tonto Natural Bridge to enjoy this beautiful wonder of nature. It had been about 5 years since we've been there, when Maddie was about 5 1/2 years old. Luke had never visited and he was excited since we had been talking about "hiking through a huge cave" for several weeks.
We arrived at the park around noon and encountered a long line of cars waiting to enter the park. Since we brought a picnic lunch, we used the time while we were waiting in line to eat our lunch - not exactly a picnic but it was efficient.
Once we entered the park (after about a 40 minute wait) we quickly donned our hiking gear and started the trek through the river bed. There are lots of huge rocks and much of the "hike" was climbing over and around car-size boulders. There were several places that Luke needed a lift from Dad, but for the most part he did surprisingly well. Maddie jumped and bounded from rock-to-rock needing almost no assistance. Some fellow hikers warned us of a rattle snake along the way, but we (thankfully) never encountered it.
We finally reached the bridge and hiked under/through to the other side. After that, a long hike up a steep mountain (several switch backs) brought us back to the parking lot and picnic areas. The kids (and parents) were exhausted but I think also proud of their accomplishment. It was a really fun day and one that I'm sure will have lasting memories.
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| Kids and Dad rest in a small cave along the river's edge |
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| The opening beneath the bridge can be seen in the distance |
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| Maddie approaches the opening beneath the bridge |
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| Starting to pass under the massive bridge (notice hikers on far side path) |
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| Luke finds a path across a slippery rock (with support from Dad) |
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| Maddie examines roof of bridge while she waits for Dad and Luke (squeezing through rock in the background) |
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| Luke and Maddie under the bridge! |
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| Having passed through the bridge, we take a shot looking back the way we hiked |
