We Hike Wadi Hasa

Wadi Hasa is one of the longest rivers in Jordan. Apparently, it runs about 20 miles from high in the Moab mountains down to the Dead Sea. Over its length it runs through narrow canyons, palm forests, waterfalls, and hot springs. We didn't hike the entire river, however. Instead, our guide drove us upstream from the bottom of the river, near the Jordanian town of Safi, to as far upstream as he could possibly get a jeep to go. We got out and walked in the river, which at this part of the wadi runs through a beautiful sandstone canyon.

When we came to a shady side canyon the girls posed for a picture under the elaborately eroded sandstone walls.

One of the highlights of hiking in Wadi Hasa is floating down water slides. These are parts of the river that are narrow and run over small waterfalls, much like the waterslides at water parks. In this picture, you can see Miriam floating down a waterslide headed for the fall.

Here she is going over the fall.

Now, she's being sucked under the water at the base of the fall.

Downstream of the fall, the river runs under a stone arch where her head bobs up above the water.

It's fun to relax with your sister after going down a water slide like this.

After we've all taken a few runs down this waterslide, Miriam gets an idea.

Oh, my! A waterfight breaks out.

Even Dad gets into the act.

Dad's too much for the girls. They head off for more fun upriver.

The problem with doing this sort of hike as an out-and-back is that at some point you have to turn around and go back. The wadi is so beautiful it takes a lot of discipline to stop and turn around.

Eventually, we do turn around. We take a break in the shade first.

Fortunately, our guide Mr. Yousef is waiting with the jeep at the drop-off point to serve us tea and lunch. Then he drives us to the Israeli border.