Roaring Falls and Rock-Skipping Lessons: Hike 4 at Enders Falls
My favorite spot on the trail
Hike 4 almost didn’t happen.
Between baseball season scheduling and a morning that started with rain showers, we were working with a narrow window. But that’s become something of a Family Stride tradition at this point…we find the window, we take it, and we almost always end up glad we did.
Our destination this time was Enders Falls in Granby, a short out-and-back that gives you waterfall views the entire way. This was another repeat but it’s been long enough that if felt like we were experiencing it for the first time all over again.
Before the Trail: Bagels and Road Warriors
The drive through Granby took us right through the middle of a local road race, with runners streaming past the beautiful historic homes near the center of town. We cheered them on from the car with genuine enthusiasm and absolutely zero desire to be among them. We like to walk and hike. We are not runners. Better them than us.
Before hitting the trail we made a very important stop at Lox Stock Bagels. As a former New Yorker I am extremely particular about my bagels, and Lox Stock is the real deal. My personal go-tos are the cheddar with plain cream cheese for something savory, or the cinnamon raisin with vanilla raisin walnut cream cheese when I want something that feels like a treat.
Very happy to be restocked with the best bagels around!
On the Trail
Spring rain does remarkable things to a place like Enders Falls. The water was roaring, the vegetation was every possible shade of green, and the whole trail was blanketed in a thick layer of moss. The air smelled like rich, wet earth. It felt like we were stepping into a magical forest in a fantasy novel.
Hello up there!
Double-decker waterfall
This one reminded me of a hidden faerie pool.
The whole scene reminded me of a hike Steve and I did years ago at Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park. We stayed at the nearby Sol Duc Hot Springs Resort and it’s one of the many places we hope to bring Sam in the future, maybe even as part of this Family Stride journey.
Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park
A note on the trail itself: in summer, Enders Falls becomes a popular hangout spot, and the rocks can get genuinely dangerous when wet and crowded. The railings and stairs that were installed a few years back have made a real difference, but it still warrants caution in certain sections. It’s a beautiful spot that deserves to be treated with some care.
Enjoying the falls from a safe distance!
Cheese!
The Rock-Skipping Lesson
Somewhere along the way, Sam asked Steve how you actually skip a rock. We stopped, found a good spot, and spent a few minutes on what I can only describe as an extremely important father-son tutorial.
Steve showed Sam how it’s done.
Sam gave it his best shot.
Sam was very focused. Steve was very patient. I was very happy to be watching.
Beginning the climb back up to the parking lot
Hike #4: Complete!
Thinking Ahead
Four hikes in, and this little project of ours keeps delivering. Stay tuned — Sam will have an update soon with a look ahead at what’s in store for The Family Stride this year.