Kid's First Backpacking Trip Advice (7/1/10 to 7/3/10)
Posted: Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:13 pm
First of all, thanks in advance. I just discovered these boards, and they are fantastic.
I am hoping to go backpacking with my 12 y.o. son starting a couple of days from now (Thurs, 7/1). I was originally planning to leave from Carr Lake in the Tahoe Natl Forest and hike to Penner Lake, a trip I discovered on one of these boards. I spoke to the Forest Service today and they said that the road to Carr Lake is still snowed under for the last mile, and if we want to hike that trail we'd better bring snowshoes.
I'm looking for a simple trip to give my son a taste of how wonderful backpacking can be. He loves to scamper up rock scrabble, so some minor peaks that we could get up to would be great. The biggest issue is of couse the snow. I'd like to avoid crowds -- that's why we'd by hiking out on Thurs of the holiday weekend and hiking down a couple of days later on Saturday. We're in the Bay Area, so anything off of Routes 80 or 50 would be easiest, but the drive isn't an issue if the trail's right. Would like to avoid Yosemite.
Other info:
Backpacking Experience:
Level 3 -- Numerous trips incl some x-country (me, not my son)
Terrain:
Class 1
Interest:
Lakes (but a campsite near a good stream or river would be just fine), some mountain scenery (after all, it is the Sierras)
Again, thanks so much in advance.
-- Steve Jacobs
I am hoping to go backpacking with my 12 y.o. son starting a couple of days from now (Thurs, 7/1). I was originally planning to leave from Carr Lake in the Tahoe Natl Forest and hike to Penner Lake, a trip I discovered on one of these boards. I spoke to the Forest Service today and they said that the road to Carr Lake is still snowed under for the last mile, and if we want to hike that trail we'd better bring snowshoes.
I'm looking for a simple trip to give my son a taste of how wonderful backpacking can be. He loves to scamper up rock scrabble, so some minor peaks that we could get up to would be great. The biggest issue is of couse the snow. I'd like to avoid crowds -- that's why we'd by hiking out on Thurs of the holiday weekend and hiking down a couple of days later on Saturday. We're in the Bay Area, so anything off of Routes 80 or 50 would be easiest, but the drive isn't an issue if the trail's right. Would like to avoid Yosemite.
Other info:
Backpacking Experience:
Level 3 -- Numerous trips incl some x-country (me, not my son)
Terrain:
Class 1
Interest:
Lakes (but a campsite near a good stream or river would be just fine), some mountain scenery (after all, it is the Sierras)
Again, thanks so much in advance.
-- Steve Jacobs