Echo Amphitheater from the parking lot |
Little Bear & I at the top of the stairs |
The park has a campground and restrooms. There are some water faucets near the picnic area. The picnic area has covered tables. These are great for a quick picnic. I have seen artists sitting in the shade of a covered table painting the amphitheater in the distance. The cost to enter the park is per carload. As of June 2016, it was $2 per vehicle per day. The parking lot is large enough for trailers and RVs.
Along the trail, you can find all kinds of plants and animals. Some of the trees and bushes have signs to help you identify them. In the spring and summer, you can find many wildflowers. In the winter there can be snow. Seeing it in the snow gives it an almost majestic feel. There is a large variety of wildlife including snakes, lizards, squirrels, and even things as large as bears and mountain lions, although I have seen nothing larger than a ground squirrel, except human beings. Beware of snakes as you walk, especially if you leave the concrete path to venture out into the wild. Make sure you take plenty of water, especially in the summer. The temperature here can vary greatly. When we visited in mid-June it was 99 degrees. I have also been when I needed a light jacket during the summer.
Left: Indian Paintbrush Right: Ponderosa Pine |
Cholla Cactus Flower
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I loved stopping here for a bathroom break as a child. As an adult, I still adore this place. It has a sense of peace and calming about it as well as a hint of mystery. Bringing Little Bear has been a fun experience. It reminds me of my childhood excitement about running around shouting.
A few years ago we took a family trip and got to bring Little Bear. At three he loved it. The walk was a little long for his short legs, but the path was easy. Now that he is a second grader, Little Bear had a blast. He loved hearing his voice bounce off the walls and carry out into the surrounding area. The trail is a breeze for him and I kept reminding him to slow down and wait for me. He practically ran up the stairs and when he got to the top he was excitedly yelling "Woohoo! Yippee! Hooray!"
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Looking up from the top of the stairs |
Little Bear enjoying the echoes
A throwback picture at Echo Amphitheater from 2001 with snow on the ground
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Sources:
National Geographic. "CaƱon Retumbido or Echo Amphitheater".
USDA Forest Service. "Echo Amphitheater Picnic Site".