MUNGO EATS Latin America

We went hiking yesterday, regardless of the number of chores that awaited us at home.  I will save the dusting for a rainy day, this evening perhaps. 

We decided to hike further north in the Ghost Wilderness Area than we usually do.  We decided to hike up Waiparous Creek.  This area is used by Off Highway Vehicles (OHV), so people on motorcycles, quads and 4 wheel drive vehicles are abundant.  You can actually drive the whole hike that we did, if you have the right vehicle.  We just had our little Subaru, so we could not have driven the whole way.  We did drive all the way to  the first creek crossing though.  You get some funny looks from people when you are taking your little 4 wheel drive vehicle onto roads that they think require a “big” truck.  As I mentioned, we abandoned the car at the first creek crossing, so we started the hike by crossing the creek.

This was the first of many crossings.  The hike follows the creek all along.  At times you are just walking along a gravel road.  Kind of boring, but the scenery is nice.

After an hour and a half, we arrived at an area where the creek winds its way through a large boulder field.  The kids thought this was a great place.  There are beautiful deep pools at the bases of boulders that are up to 3 storeys high.  It is easy to get to the top of these boulders and look down or climb around at the bottom at creek level.

Although this was a great place, it was not the intended end of the hike, so we kept walking, en route to “the chasm”.  We hiked this trail once before, when the kids were tiny (ages 2 and 4) and we never made it to the chasm, so this time we were determined to do so.  It took another hour or so to reach our destination. 

The chasm is a short canyon along the creek.  The water dives down a waterfall,

and then winds its way through tall walls.

It is kind of cool actually, although in my head, I thought it would be longer.  It was worth the hike, but I think next time I will stop at the boulder field!

Another great day in the mountains.  Its too bad that the end of summer is rapidly approaching and our hiking days are limited.  I hope everyone enjoys the work week!