Lava Canyon — Thursday, Sep. 8, 2022

There are three hike "difficulties" listed at the trailhead: easy (wheelchair accessible), medium, and most difficult.  We took the last option, and it lived up to its rating.  The difficult trail starts from the end of closed suspension bridge.  It is a narrow path that hugs the edge of a vertiginous drop to the river below.  The footing is loose rock, and there is only one very short cable hand-hold by a wet section of rock.  Having hiked for forty years, this was one of the scarier hikes I've been on. A tall, steep ladder finishes off the hair-raising steep section.  We were looking for "The Ship", a lava island with excellent views, and completely missed the sign directing us there (it is affixed vertically to a tree off to the side, it turns out).  We hiked about a mile further before turning around and finally finding it on the way back.  It was well worth it: make sure you climb to the top of The Ship, as the views of the waterfalls are the best on the hike.  Worth it, but not for anyone with weak knees, acrophobia, or rambunctious children!