High Sierra Topix

First of all trip reports on here and as far as maps that are online and free: http://mapper.acme.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; it has satellite, hybrid, map, topo and terrain features which you can toggle through. Also it will keep your markers for place names to go back to w/o doing a full search again.. In the lower right box type in a place name in the white box and hit "search" . The magic begins. Try something local like "Wrightwood"? it's in ANF and close by you with camping/hiking.

I'm a recently retired scoutmaster and the Troop we were in usually have 50-milers for either a younger crew (13-14) or an older crew (15 and up).

Typical younger crew trips:
- Lassen National Park
- The Lost Coast
- PCT I-80 to Highway 50
- Marble Mountains, see:
http://highsierratopix.com/community/vi ... it=+Marble" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
These trips don't have any particularly high passes

A couple of harder trips for older boys:
- Onion Valley/Kearsarge Pass to Mt. Whitney
- Hoover Wilderness/Northern Yosemite Loop starting at Twin Lakes

Over the last five years I've gradually worked up to longer trips with my twins (11 last summer), starting with 3 day trips, stepping that up to 4/5 day trips before doing an unforgettable 6 day trip last summer from Onion Valley to Whitney (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=8265" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).

I'd very much agree with those who advise trying 3 or 4 days first, without setting a hugely ambitious mileage target (5 miles per day or so is a good pace to start up high). That should probably include a 3-4 day trip in the Sierra, not just Angeles National Forest, because the altitude really makes a difference. Coming from the south, Horseshoe Meadows to Soldier Lake and Miter Basin would be a great choice for 4 days with nothing too strenuous. We did it in 2011 and loved it (viewtopic.php?f=1&t=6526" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

It's a bit more ambitious than some of the 3 day outings mentioned above, but nothing hard for a strong 12 year old, especially if you've done a local overnight trip beforehand to straighten out any gear & pack issues. You probably need to feel comfortable that he won't have altitude issues though, as this is all above 10000ft.

Don't know what your son's mentality is, but I took my daughter , at the same age, to May Lake in Yosemite as a base camp, 1.5 miles away from bailing out. We did Lembert Dome, and Three Dog Lake as day hikes and stayed overnight again at May Lake. She loved it. Once I knew she was comfortable with backpacking type camping we moved onto Raisin Lake, then went out the next day to the car via Murphy's Creek Trail. She enjoyed our first trip so much we both spent almost every other weekend backpacking and camping over the next several summers, and she turned it into a career as a Ranger/Wilderness Interpreter.
I did the same with my son and it failed miserably. He suffered from altitude sickness from the get go and simply did not enjoy himself. Only being 1,5 miles from the car we bailed on the trip and I was glad we did as he would have suffered had we been 20 miles from anywhere.
Many years later he joined several of us for an overnighter to Chilanualna Falls and kicked butt getting into camp. He really enjoyed that trip. The next year we did the Yosemite High Sierra camps, I did the tent cabins and he backpacked it and loved it.

Grzldvt, what a great story. It really highlights the uncertanity of how altitude affects different people at different times. You never know until you try. Best to try on a "sampler" trip first. The May Lake suggestion is a good one, so is Mavrick's Little Lakes Valley. You're close enough to bail if you need to.

Thanks again to everyone for your stories of past trips and suggestions on introducing my son to backpacking. I will take the advice of trying out a shorter 3/4 day higher altitude hike in the Sierras in addition to some of the closer Angeles hikes. I will say that talking with my boy about the trip and starting the planning stage has already been a ton of fun and he is super excited for our first big trip!

Just a suggestion (comes from having two sons and...)

Bring a friend along for your son...someone his own age.
Both boys carry their own bags, clothes, personal stuff and you play sherpa for all the rest of the gear.

They will have someone to play with and will occupy each other. (You will soon enough understand.)

Suggested trailheads - these always less than 4 miles/day, done with sons, and worked:
Onion Valley (lakes this side of the pass),
Yosemite Falls trail (3 days, 120 - Valley), Either YF trailhead or Porcupine Flats
Loon Lake - out and back,
Saddlebag ferry and do lakes loop.
Desolation too.

Markskor's idea is good - I've done that myself, bringing a buddy for my son. But be sure you know that kid pretty darn well. I had some issues getting my son's buddy to co-operate, on several levels. I also had to adjust as we went along to the other kid's evel of motivation - some what less than my son's.

Bronco, I'm an older father (60 now) with recent experience introducing my son and daughter to backpacking. With a 12 year old, the key is keeping his pack light. That means you carry the bulk of the load and limit his pack to his sleeping kit, clothes, and lunch munchies. If he's in the 110 lb range, he shouldn't carry a pack weighing more than 25 lbs -- less would be better. Also, plan on spending a night at the trailhead to acclimate and go easy your first day out. Plan on camping shy of the first pass, so you tackle the hard switchbacks up to the first pass early the second day. Kids are extremely resilient. Make sure he has a good pair of lightweight boots (not sneakers) and have him wear wool hiking socks with a a liner sock under. Other keys are to get your hiking done early in the day, go slow and steady and be sure he stays hydrated. Kids like being with their friends, so you might consider taking along one of his fit buddies -- but that would add weight to your pack.

Bottom line, I would not shy away from trying an eight day trek, with built-in contingencies. A North Lake - South Lake loop is worth considering, going in over Piute Pass, down to the JMT junction at Piute Creek, then up to Evolution Valley, over Muir Pass, and out via Dusy Basin and Bishop Pass. The scenery is outstanding and the hiking is all on well established trails. You would have a short hitch hike back to North Lake to fetch your car -- it's easy, I've done it at least a dozen times. If things go bad at first, you can abort the longer loop and spend a few days exploring the lakes on the west side of Piute Pass.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes --

Mike

I like mikes plan. Having just done the South / North lake loop, I can tell you it is amazing (especially Mclure Meadow). While doing the hike from South to North Lakes I met a couple that did exactly what Mike was saying. The wife was not having a great time with the long hikes, so they ended up stopping at Big Pete meadow (which is beautiful) after the second day. They ended up doing a day hike to the Muir hut and fishing Big and Little Pete Meadows for a day and then planned on retracing the hike back out over Bishop pass. I can tell you they missed out on some great stuff, but at least they are probably still married.
By the way, there is a guy in bishop that will drive you from North lake trail head to the South lake trail head so that your car is waiting for you at the final destination. Phil