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Post by trinity on Jul 1, 2015 5:16:54 GMT -8
I'm looking for a fairly easy trip to do with my 6 year old boy in early August. We'll probably fly into Denver and rent a car. Would like to spend 2, maybe 3 nights in the backcountry, and can't cover too much distance, he's not good for much over 3 miles right now. So a short loop, or perhaps a basecamp 3ish miles from a trailhead would be ideal. I had thought about hiking to Red Lake in the South San Juan Wilderness, but would prefer something a little closer to Denver, if possible. Any ideas? National Forest is definitely preferable to state parks.
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Post by cweston on Jul 1, 2015 5:53:21 GMT -8
If you can rent a 4wd, you can drive to the upper music pass TH in the Sangres (east side). It's probably only about 3 miles form there to some great base camps in upper sand creek basin, which contains two lakes reached by 1 mile side trails. You can also hike a couple miles from there to the divide between sand creek and s colony creek for mind-blowing views of 14ers.
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378 
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Post by speacock on Jul 5, 2015 10:56:57 GMT -8
The common problem for all is the altitude and getting accustomed to it. Kids generally are more susceptible (smaller volume) and don't often complain that much - they just slow down. Make sure everybody is well watered. Many of the problems some have might be attributed to being under hydrated. You will have to drink more than you might think. You might have to make it sweeter for your son to guzzle what he will need. You are high and very dry - usually. Go slow and make frequent stops - drink water at every stop. Many high altitude symptoms show up after spending a night at altitude. Slight headache, less interested in food and a general malaise are common.
Local places to check out via Internet would be Colorado Mountain Club, Sierra Club's recent outings, REI (just off of I-25) has a wealth of information (and books) in their local area as well as scheduling trips.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 5, 2015 17:48:15 GMT -8
Though a bit of a drive from Denver, there's a few places I used to take my kids when they were that age up near Steamboat in the Zirkels, or a bit further south (closer to Denver) in the Flattops. All were ~ 3-4 miles in and we'd basecamp and hike from there. Be aware that early August is the very height of our Monsoon season and it might be pouring rain all afternoon.....or it might not.
Check out Lk Katherine or Bighorn lks in the Zirkle Wilderness. A little bit further hike is Rainbow Lk, just south of there. Lost Lk, just off of Rabbit Ears Pass was my daughters first overnight BP trip when she was 3 yrs old, it's ~ 2 mi in, with a long chain of lakes to explore to the north, but since it's not "Wilderness" you'll also have some traffic from MTB'rs and the ATV crowd.
The lower of the Mandall Lks in the Flattops are a short hop in, with good dayhiking from there, as well as even shorter hike to Mosquito, Steer, Skillet Lks above the deadend at Stillwater Res.
Very close to Denver, and you'd have to get permits, is Diamond Lk in the Indian Pks Wilderness. It's one of the shortest hikes in the Indian Peaks that allows camping, so is usually very crowded, but it's exceptionally scenic for just a 3 mile hike close to Denver situated on a high bench right at timberline.
I'm hesitant to "recommend" the trip to the Crater Lks near the Moffat Tunnel. It needs no permits, is ~ 3 miles in, but it's the only place in my life that I've had my truck broken into at TH parking lot while out on an overnighter.
The main problem with the short hikes, is they will be jammed full if you try them on a weekend, and there's no guaranty that things will be less crowded during the weekdays, though they could possible be empty.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jul 7, 2015 6:58:02 GMT -8
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Post by trinity on Jul 8, 2015 6:16:53 GMT -8
Thanks for the great suggestions, y'all have give me some great ideas to work with.
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Post by fiddler1 on Jul 20, 2015 18:33:09 GMT -8
We have really enjoyed the Snowy Range in SE Wyoming. 3 hours from Denver. Very little climbing so it is great to keep the kids motivated. Last year we went with our 3 and 6 year old from the Lewis Lake trailhead about two miles in, past South Gap Lake (where a lot of day hikers turn around) past North Gap Lake (nice little boulder field to cross along the shore) and base camped by Shelf Lakes. It was really great. Browns mountain is a great scramble if you can scout out the grassiest route.
Have you decided anything yet? We are looking for similar options, kids are now 4 and 7.
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Post by trinity on Jul 20, 2015 19:28:33 GMT -8
No definite plans yet, just booked the flights for early August and will work out the details. Still kind of leaning towards the South San Juan, but will definitely be looking into the snowy range. If you are going that first week in August and might like to join up, shoot me a pm.
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Post by trinity on Aug 11, 2015 17:13:40 GMT -8
Just to close the loop on this, we wound up going to the Flattops, but for various reasons didn't wind up spending any nights in the back country, which was disappointing. We car camped for 5 days at Bear Lake, which wound up being pretty ideal, under the circumstances. It is a nice campground, with plenty of opportunities for us to day hike, fish, splash around in the lake, and play around the campground. It is a beautiful area, and I can't wait to get back and do some exploring. Thanks again to everyone for the help.    |
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Post by Lamebeaver on Aug 12, 2015 7:59:21 GMT -8
Thanks for sharing. Glad you had a good time. Nice fish!
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Post by swimswithtrout on Aug 12, 2015 19:59:57 GMT -8
Tah heck with getting out to the backcountry. Getting to spend "Quality" time with your son is what it's all about. And that's about as close to my recommendation, way back when, to say "I told you so !"
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Post by trinity on Aug 13, 2015 9:34:40 GMT -8
And that's about as close to my recommendation, way back when, to say "I told you so !" Yes, it was my intention to pack in to the Mandall Lakes, per your suggestion, just didn't work out this time. You are exactly right, the time outside together was what mattered, not fulfilling my own agenda. We did hike a few miles up the Mandall Lakes Trail, it was beautiful. We had a great time, and we'll definitely be going back. |
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