Birthday Girl: The Hike

Each year Caitlin tries to pick something new to do for her party with friends. Over the years we have had everything from a tea party to rock-wall climbing. Last year Caitlin asked to go on a hike. We didn't pull it off and I thought the idea had passed. This year when she asked again to take her friends for a hike I knew it was something she really wanted to do.

Caitlin chose Horse Tail Falls at Pyramid Creek Trail off of Highway 50 near Tahoe. If you are local and have never tried this trail it is well worth the drive. We have done this hike with the whole family and Brad has gone to the top without the kids.

Originally Caity asked if we could hike to the top. The hike to the top is very adventurous and at times a little dangerous. Brad and I took her for a trial run 3 weeks before her birthday to determine whether or not it was manageable with other people's children.

Caity at the base of the falls

Because there is still snow the water level was high so conditions were not ideal for climbing to the top. We made it to the first "shoot", realized how wet everything still was and chose to turn back. Caity decided bringing her friends to the base of the falls was adventure enough.

So this past Saturday we loaded Caity and 5 of her friends into the van and made the drive to Tahoe again. We were pleasantly surprised by her friends and their sense of adventure, endurance and positive attitudes on the hike. They all seemed to have a great time.

Base

"The Cascade" 

Enjoying sack lunches at the edge of the wilderness boundary before the ascent to the falls.

We made it to the falls!

This may have been my favorite birthday party to put on to date: no decorations, no party favors, no food (unless you count the mini brownie bites we enjoyed in place of cake). Just some gas money and great pictures. Great idea Caity!