Half a Day in Little Wild Horse Canyon

Little Wild Horse Canyon

(1/2 a day)

This was our 5th stop of our Mighty 5 Roadtrip. While not a National Park, it was not a park to miss!  It was our first ever slot canyon!

Little Wild Horse Canyon is right down the road from Goblin Valley, so if you wanted to, you could make a full day by combining both of these 1/2 day adventures. However, we utilized the other half of the day after Little Wild Horse, to make the 1 hr 40 min drive to Torrey, so we could get an early start at Capital Reef the following morning.

We got up early, so we could get a head start. Gorgeous sunrise on the drive in.

I LOVE an early start, because we were the ONLY people there for the hike out, and passed maybe 3 groups on the 2nd half of the trail coming back. I always love when the trail isn't crowded, but it's nice in a slot canyon so you don't have to pause, and squish to the side to let ppl pass.

Little Wild Horse Canyon has "tight passageways, curving, scalloped walls, and short sections of easy rock scrambling.

Getting there: Enter “Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon Trailhead” into Google Maps for directions. There are bathrooms before you hike, but the one was NASTY. Not as well maintained as other parks.

Parking: lot can only hold about 20 cars. We were the first ones there, arriving shortly after sunrise.

There are warnings posted: do not enter a slot canyon if there is risk of rain. They are known for flash-flooding and can be very dangerous.

Thank you to Earth Trekkers for helping us plan our trip. Their blogs are amazing and have so much helpful info. Highly rec!

The full loop (combining Little Wild Horse Canyon with Bell Canyon) is 8 miles and takes 3-6 hrs. We shortened it, by hiking Little Wild Horse Canyon out-and-back. I'm not a fan of out and back trails, but we read that Little Wild Horse is more exciting than Bell Canyon. It allowed us to see the cool views, but still have the rest of the day to travel, grocery shop, laundry, get dinner, etc. 

From the trailhead we walked up the wash until we hit the fork. Canyon Bell is on the L, so we took Little Wild Horse on the R. 

About 2.5 miles into Little Wild Horse, the canyon begins to open up. We came to a small dry fall (maybe 6 feet tall?) that we had to climb up onto to continue the route. You will need a boost to get up it. Thankfully someone placed a rock at the bottom, almost like a stepping stool. After this, the hike lacks the "wow factor." So we yelled into the canyon a bit playing with our echo, and then turned around and headed back. You can always start with Little Wild Horse, hike to this point, and THEN decide to come back the way you came as we did, or keep going and return via Bell Canyon. 

Can you spot Matt's outline?

This slot canyon is a natural beauty, as we often stopped to admire the various carvings in the rock. These are some of my fav shots of the canyon walls.

 

Next up: Capitol Reef National Park (coming soon)

2 Days in Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Thursday Dec 5th - Sunday Dec 8th 2024

Black is research done prior to the trip; purple is what we learned from our trip

Fly in to Fort Lauderdale Thursday:

Hotel:

• Embassy Suites Boca Raton
• Chose this one, bc we got a good deal on it
• Address: 661 NM 53rd St Boca Raton, FL 33487 
• Check-in: 4:00 PM

• Check-out: 11:00 AM

• Free made-to-order breakfast

• Complimentary evening reception (2 free drink tickets per person, and free appetizers)

• Free parking

• On-site restaurant

• Outdoor pool

As soon as we got in, we headed to Mizner park for some food.

Mizner Park: This Mediterranean-style shopping and dining center is also home to an amphitheater, where you might catch a live show or event.

• Shopping: Mizner Park features a variety of upscale shops and boutiques, ranging from well-known brands to unique local retailers. It’s a great place to find fashion, jewelry, and gifts.

• Dining: The park has a wide range of restaurants and cafes, offering everything from casual to fine dining.

• Mizner Park Amphitheater: This outdoor venue hosts live music, events, and performances throughout the year. Check if there are any concerts or shows during your visit.
• Fountain Plaza: A picturesque spot at the center of the park with fountains and greenery. It’s perfect for a leisurely walk or just relaxing after shopping and dining.

We grabbed lunch at Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar which was nice sitting outside, and so chicly decorated inside. Food was great!

I couldn't resist this place called Cielito Artisan Pops 1) bc it was a concept I've never heard of before, and 2) again, DAIRY-FREE options!

  

Other food suggestions:

• Trattoria Romana: A cozy spot for Italian food with a local favorite status.

• Oceanfront Dining: Consider visiting Oceans 234 in nearby Deerfield Beach for dinner with a stunning ocean view.

  
  

Then we headed to the beach to snorkel.

Red Reef Park: A beautiful beachfront park ideal for snorkeling and relaxing by the ocean. (Bring your own snorkel gear)

• Snorkeling- Construction of a new recreational snorkel reef at Red Reef Park was completed in September 2021, enhancing the park’s current reef into an extended snorkeling trail for beach goers. This sounded amazing. Anything to preserve our planet and the creatures that live on it. However, we were highly disappointed with the snorkeling. We asked the lifeguard on duty for better directions on where to head, but it wasn't anything impressive. Maybe we missed it?? A few fish here and there. I have to be honest, Matt brought back the GoPro footage from his snorkel mask, and I didn't think it was worth getting in the water for, so I stayed dry hahah

• Parking: Parking AT the park is ridiculous. Like $30. So we parked in a lot across the street via the Park Mobile App.
• The facilities were nice. There was a boardwalk and walking paths winding through the foliage, grill, picnics areas, a playground, restrooms (where we changed into and out of suits since we didn't check into our hotel yet) so we enjoyed laying out on the beach a bit. Not crowded at all. 

  

South Inlet Park (snorkeling)

• Best Feature: Located at the Boca Raton Inlet, this park offers opportunities for snorkeling in calm waters along the rock jetties. The jetties act as natural breakwaters, attracting marine life.
• Marine Life: Fish species like parrotfish, snapper, and sergeant majors are commonly spotted here.
• Tip: Watch the tides and currents near the inlet for safety, and snorkel during high tide for the clearest water.
• We actually walked from Red Reef Park along the walking path, down to South Inlet Park and visited the gazebo/pier.

Can you spot the big spider?

  

Spanish River Park: A tranquil spot for kayaking, paddleboarding, or walking along shaded trails. https://spanishriverpark.com/

• Beach Access: The park offers easy access to a less crowded stretch of Boca Raton’s beautiful beach. It's a perfect spot to swim, sunbathe, or just relax by the ocean.

• Picnic Areas: Shaded picnic tables and barbecue grills are scattered throughout the park, making it an ideal spot for a beachside lunch or family gathering.

• Walking and Biking Trails: Enjoy scenic walking trails that meander through the park’s lush landscape, offering both ocean and Intracoastal Waterway views. These trails are also great for a leisurely bike ride.

• Kayaking and Paddleboarding: You can launch kayaks or paddleboards into the Intracoastal Waterway from the park. The calm waters make it a relaxing way to explore the local mangroves and spot wildlife.

• Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to a variety of birds and other wildlife. It's a serene spot for nature lovers who want to observe the natural habitat.

• Fishing: The Intracoastal side of the park allows for fishing, where you can cast a line and relax.

• Restrooms and Showers: Convenient facilities for beachgoers.

• Playground: There’s a playground area, making it a family-friendly option.
• Lifeguards: Lifeguards are often on duty, ensuring a safe swimming experience.
• We didn't want to pay the $30 to park here, and there weren't any ParkMobile parking spots close by, so we unfortunately skipped this spot.

If it rains:

• Boca Raton Museum of Art: Located in Mizner Park, this museum features a mix of contemporary and classical art exhibits. It's a great cultural stop while you're there.
• Tickets ~ $16; Your general admission includes a free, docent-led one-hour tour to explore exhibitions on view offered every day at 2pm.
• Wick Theatre & Costume Museum: For a unique experience, check out their theater productions and extensive costume displays

We then headed to the hotel to check-in and get ready for dinner

Farmer’s Table: A health-conscious spot that uses organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. This restaurant offered indoor and outdoor seating, but my fav part was all the dietary options. This dessert, is dairy free! (I am lactose-intolerant).

 

Friday:

Friday I had a continuing education course for work. So while I was in lecture from 8a-3p, Matt had another beach day.

He picked us up tacos for lunch from El Jefe Luchador and we sat by the hotel pool during my class break to eat.

After my course was over, we went out for dinner to Gary Rack's Farmhouse Kitchen 

Saturday:

Started off the morning at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center: A coastal nature center offering scenic trails, a butterfly garden, and a sea turtle rehabilitation are; 20-acre coastal preserve. 

Parking lot was already full, so we had to go back to Park Mobile parking in the parking lot we used the 2 days prior, and pay.

This was one of my fav stops in Boca Raton!

• Sea Turtle Rehabilitation: One of the center's main attractions is its sea turtle rehabilitation facility. You can see rescued sea turtles that are being nursed back to health.

• Aquariums: The outdoor aquariums showcase a variety of marine species native to South Florida’s coastal waters.

• Butterfly Garden: Wander through a beautiful garden filled with native plants and butterflies. (this is not an enclosed exhibit; we only saw one butterfly; did not live up to the hype)

• Nature Trails: The center offers peaceful, shaded trails through a coastal hammock, ideal for birdwatching and learning about local flora.

• Observation Tower: A great spot to climb for panoramic views of the ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and surrounding nature.

Learned a lot about sea turtles at the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center.

Most interesting to me was Morgan. She was injured by a boat collision that partially paralyzed her back flippers and gave her buoyancy issues. We learned that when sea turtles are struck by boats, they can suffer from a condition called “bubble butt syndrome” or buoyancy disorder. This occurs when the trauma from the collision allows air to enter and become trapped inside their body (often fractures in their shell, creating gaps).

Turtles may become permanently buoyant on one side or unable to submerge completely. This makes it difficult for them to dive for food, avoid predators, or rest properly underwater.

Morgan had weights affixed to her back to help with buoyancy so she could swim better.

The temperature of sea turtle nests plays a crucial role in determining the gender of the hatchlings.

Warmer temps produce mostly female turtles while cooler temps produce mostly male turtles (I never knew this! Was interesting to learn)

Rising global temperatures due to climate change are leading to hotter beaches, which result in disproportionately more female hatchlings.

At Gumbo Limbo, they had 3 different species of sea turtles, with their nests hatching 94%, 86%, and 98% female.

This imbalance could threaten sea turtle populations in the long term, as fewer males might reduce successful reproduction rates.

The disease that causes sea turtles to develop tumors on their face and fins is called Fibropapillomatosis (FP).

Tumors can impair the turtle’s vision, swimming, feeding, and ability to avoid predators.

They told us that FP is linked to to environmental factors.

Water pollution via runoffs containing fertilizers, pesticides, heavy metals, and other pollutants from agricultural or urban areas can degrade water quality.

FP is often more prevalent in regions where water temperatures are higher. So a link to climate change.

Loss of seagrass beds (what turtles feed on) and coral reefs forces turtles to inhabit polluted or suboptimal areas, increasing exposure to contaminants.

Info:

• Nature Center and Aquariums: Tuesday - Sunday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

• Nature Trails, Boardwalk, and Tower: Monday - Sunday, 7:00 am - Sunset

• There is no charge for general admission, however Matt and I put some money in the donations jar at the info desk!

Calendar Events:

• Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding: Daily at 12:30 pm
• Intracoastal Adventures – Intro to Kayaking (various dates)
• This was on a Sunday, so we did not get to go

After the nature center, we headed back to Fort Lauderdale (downtown) to explore a bit more before our flight.

Grabbed lunch outside at El Camino

Got coffee from Ann's Florist & Coffee Bar

The prettiest coffee shop ya ever did see!

And then explored downtown before our flight back home. If we would have had more time, we would have loved to purchase a day pass for the water ferry to hop around.