14 Miles and a Pack of Cards: A Southern Utah Family Backpacking Trip

14 Miles and a Pack of Cards: The Family Backpacking Victory (Part 2)

If you read my previous post, you know that Sam and I accidentally hiked 8 miles past Old Iron Town and discovered a hidden, glassy mountain reservoir. We immediately went home and committed to the ultimate test: turning that rugged scouting mission into a full family backpacking trip.

Fast forward to a couple weeks later.

Fourteen miles with full backcountry packs is serious business, but the boys have been begging to go. We loaded up on heavy gear, packed a mountain of snacks, and hit that exact same relentless uphill climb—this time with the whole crew.

Everyone was an absolute trooper.

One of the things I love most about living around Cedar City is how fast the scenery transitions. In just a short distance, we hiked through rugged red rock, shifted into groves of aspen and pine trees, passed natural springs, and walked right past cows casually grazing in lush mountain meadows. It felt like walking through three different states in a single afternoon.

When we finally reached the water and set up camp, the real magic happened.

No screens, no cell service, no distractions. Just a crackling fire, a deck of cards, endless snacks, and a million stars over the mountain.

Sometimes your "perfectly planned" outdoor strategy fails you, a one-mile scout turns into an 8-mile trek, and a family weekend turns into a 14-mile backcountry victory. It’s unpolished, it’s a little exhausting, and it is exactly why we love calling this place home. You don't have to plan a massive, overwhelming vacation to get a total reset—the best stuff is sitting right outside the office door. Plus how can you beat these views?