Suggestions for hikes with young family?

severine · May 7, 2008, 8:08 PM

I really was looking forward to getting back into hiking this season. But it looks like if I'm going to go, I will have a 1 year old and 3 year old in tow by myself. I can wear the 1 year old in a pack, but the 3 year old will have to walk on her own. Any suggestions on some easier stuff she could handle? I will add that she's used to walking in the woods at White Memorial in Litchfield, CT. She's also done the Sessions Woods loop in Burlington (3 miles of hills). I took her around the West Hartford reservoir off of Rt. 44 before, but it got too windy on the treeless side and I wouldn't have her do that again.

Ideas for something new in the northwest corner of CT or nearby? Thanks in advance.

Paul · May 7, 2008, 8:45 PM

People's has a few smaller loops that she could enjoy. There's one right off of the stone museum at the entrance.

severine · May 7, 2008, 8:57 PM

Oooooh, good suggestion! Thanks!

**MichaelJ** · May 8, 2008, 5:59 AM

Have you been to Bash-Bish Falls? At Mt Everett State Forest you can drive up to a parking lot (on the map, it's right by the pond) with easy trails around the pond plus picnicing, and it's not hard at all to hike up to the (now-closed) upper parking lot and then from there to the summit.

That whole South Taconic area is full of open ledges and views despite not being that tall.

**Greg** · May 8, 2008, 8:31 AM

Another option in Southwest Mass is Race Brook Falls. Here's an old TR:

http://hiking.alpinezone.com/reports/race.htm

More info:

http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ook.html#trees

Up and back to Mount Race is 6 miles, but the falls are only a bit over a mile up. It's a moderate climb, but if your oldest did a 3 mile hike, she could probably swing it. There's also the Cathedral Pines up by Mohawk:

http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ral_pines.html

SilentCal · May 8, 2008, 7:32 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talcott_Mountain

This is a really nice park and the Heublien Tower is a great destination for a picnic with the young ones.

andyzee · May 8, 2008, 8:13 PM

http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/

severine · May 13, 2008, 6:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelJ

Have you been to Bash-Bish Falls? At Mt Everett State Forest you can drive up to a parking lot (on the map, it's right by the pond) with easy trails around the pond plus picnicing, and it's not hard at all to hike up to the (now-closed) upper parking lot and then from there to the summit.

That whole South Taconic area is full of open ledges and views despite not being that tall.

I've been on the back side of Everett but it was a LONG time ago during a Backpacking class in College. I'll have to check that one out, thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg

Another option in Southwest Mass is Race Brook Falls. Here's an old TR:

http://hiking.alpinezone.com/reports/race.htm

More info:

http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ook.html#trees

Up and back to Mount Race is 6 miles, but the falls are only a bit over a mile up. It's a moderate climb, but if your oldest did a 3 mile hike, she could probably swing it. There's also the Cathedral Pines up by Mohawk:

http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ral_pines.html

Race I did .... 2 years ago, I think, with Brian. I don't think she could handle getting all the way up, but the falls is a definite possibility. Mohawk is a place I always meant to go but never have... thanks for reminding me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilentCal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talcott_Mountain

This is a really nice park and the Heublien Tower is a great destination for a picnic with the young ones.

LOVE Heublien Tower. I wasn't totally sure on the trail because it's been a long time since I've hiked it.

Looks like I'll have to find some trail maps of my own. I have none now.

Thanks for the suggestions, guys!

I [Hart] Skiing · May 13, 2008, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyzee

http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/

X2..I was going to post that. There is a Labrynth (sp?) that is a lot of fun too.

severine · May 13, 2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyzee

http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/

Quote:

Originally Posted by I [Hart] Skiing

X2..I was going to post that. There is a Labrynth (sp?) that is a lot of fun too.

Definitely looks interesting. That's about 2 hrs from where I live so I'm not sure about day tripping there with the kids by myself, but maybe if I can get another adult to help out. 4 hrs round trip with my kids in the car would probably equal about 6 hrs+.

May 7, 2008, 8:08 PM	#1 (permalink)
severine Arapahoe Basin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CT Posts: 2,371	Suggestions for hikes with young family? I really was looking forward to getting back into hiking this season. But it looks like if I'm going to go, I will have a 1 year old and 3 year old in tow by myself. I can wear the 1 year old in a pack, but the 3 year old will have to walk on her own. Any suggestions on some easier stuff she could handle? I will add that she's used to walking in the woods at White Memorial in Litchfield, CT. She's also done the Sessions Woods loop in Burlington (3 miles of hills). I took her around the West Hartford reservoir off of Rt. 44 before, but it got too windy on the treeless side and I wouldn't have her do that again. Ideas for something new in the northwest corner of CT or nearby? Thanks in advance.

May 7, 2008, 8:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Paul Pablo Picasso was never called an a$$h0le Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East Hampton, CT Posts: 2,694	People's has a few smaller loops that she could enjoy. There's one right off of the stone museum at the entrance. __________________ It's OVER Johnny!!!

May 8, 2008, 5:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
MichaelJ In prior times Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Out in the MA 'burbs near 495. Posts: 1,830	Have you been to Bash-Bish Falls? At Mt Everett State Forest you can drive up to a parking lot (on the map, it's right by the pond) with easy trails around the pond plus picnicing, and it's not hard at all to hike up to the (now-closed) upper parking lot and then from there to the summit. That whole South Taconic area is full of open ledges and views despite not being that tall. __________________ Skiing combines outdoor fun with knocking down trees with your face. - Dave Barry Waterville 12/20, 12/30; Wachusett 12/21, 12/28, 3/9; Jay 1/26-1/27; Bretton Woods 2/2, 2/23-2/24, 3/22; Snowbird 2/10, 2/12, 2/14; Alta 2/11, 2/15; Sunday River 3/1-3/2, 3/8, 3/15, 4/6; Wildcat 3/30 (21 days '07-08

May 8, 2008, 8:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Greg Mad River Glen - 2/8/08 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Thomaston, CT Posts: 18,187	Another option in Southwest Mass is Race Brook Falls. Here's an old TR: http://hiking.alpinezone.com/reports/race.htm More info: http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ook.html#trees Up and back to Mount Race is 6 miles, but the falls are only a bit over a mile up. It's a moderate climb, but if your oldest did a 3 mile hike, she could probably swing it. There's also the Cathedral Pines up by Mohawk: http://www.berkshirehiking.com/hikes...ral_pines.html __________________ Greg 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05 Life's too short for warm up runs.

May 8, 2008, 8:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
andyzee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Home Posts: 6,721	http://www.mohonkpreserve.org/ __________________ 10-18-12-16

May 7, 2008, 8:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
severine Arapahoe Basin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: CT Posts: 2,371	Oooooh, good suggestion! Thanks!

May 8, 2008, 7:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
SilentCal Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Western Mass Posts: 416	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talcott_Mountain This is a really nice park and the Heublien Tower is a great destination for a picnic with the young ones.

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May 7, 2008, 8:08 PM
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