Ice Box Canyon, Red Rocks

Today we went to Ice Box Canyon in Red Rock National Park.  Each time we go there I love it even more.  This hike was about 3 miles round trip.  It was probably a medium difficulty -- with lots of small rocks and many boulders.  Our kids love to "boulder" so they were in heaven. 
We were lucky to go with Calendine family.  Their Dad , Shane, is Philip's boss at Las Vegas Area Council, BSA. We loved them from the first time they had us over for dinner while we were house hunting.  They are very kind and a great down to earth family.  The kids we took today ranged from age 11 to 4 and boy did they do awesome!  

Group photos are tough to come by with kids -- but we did pretty good.

I really enjoy hiking with my kids -- you learn a lot about them while chatting on those trails

Garrett and Quinn, they are in the area where the waterfall would be if it wasn't 100 degrees out.  But it made for a perfect bunker during their "war" at lunch.

We even got group photos in more than one spot!

Love these kids!!

This tree was pretty cool.  It was huge and had lots of insect tracks on it. 

Libbie in the "slide" (the dry waterfall area)

Its possible that the boys and I were not on the right trail for a while.  Thank heavens Kendra was and she could lead us back.  I need to learn to look up when I'm hiking -- to see where i'm going!

Water was a big part of the day ---

If you didn't drink enough water -- this could happen!  Dehydrated on a hot rock.:)

Way to go crew!  Here's to many more desert hikes -- I kept telling the boys that desert hiking separated the men from the boys.  Apparently it didn't work because they said "Mom, that's what you always say when you want us to do something."  Guess I need to come up with a new motivator.