Another Hike in Town

On Saturday, after a lazy afternoon nap, we set out once more for Boca Negra Canyon, one of the kids’ favorite hiking spots. The summer heat has begun to wane here, and by the time we left, a wall of dark clouds had risen over the Sandias, threatening rain. Our hike to the mesa top, therefore, was a very pleasant one.
Isaac led the way most of the up the hill, as seen here:

In many ways, the Mesa Top Trail at Boca Negra serves as a coming-of-age tradition. When we moved here, Ryan had to be carried most of the way. He then graduated to climbing up and being carried down, and soon he was hiking—and leading—the whole way. The same process has now been repeated with Isaac.

One of the things I most enjoy about this hike is about halfway to the top, when the winding trail, which begins by going due east before turning south and then north, dips downhill for a spell before veering west. After a steady ascent, this brief downhill forces the children to switch from climbing to careful descending. Here Allyson leads the crew down this part of the trail:

The view from the mesa top is great, but even more awe-inspiring with the clouds billowing up to the east. Here, Isaac poses with the city and the Sandias behind him:

The best part of this outing, however, has no picture, as such photos have been banned. You see, Summer, 38 weeks pregnant and wearing flip-flops, came along, and, to make a point to all who have tried this hike and not completed it, hiked the trail to the mesa top and back down.