ATake the kids for a Hike!

By Christine Classen

Summer is here and kids are out of school. Most people are gearing up for their summer travel plans. While many people plan to travel outside of the state, countless others will vacation locally. Families can enjoy themselves this summer with a few challenging trails and some back country camping.

While many people enjoy taking easy to moderate hikes, not many think to push their children (or themselves) to the next level. Most kids enjoy the outdoors, and many can push their bodies to do much more than parents may think. With a little planning ahead and a little faith in the abilities of both parents and kids, a family adventure can be an enjoyable and memorable way of spending the long, sunny summer days.

Challenging Hikes Kids Can Handle
Children can walk an amazing distance. They can hike many miles in a day with the right foot gear and mental preparation. Many children can enjoy a steep, rocky hike if they can rest often, every 20-30 minutes,have access to water and easy snacks such as trail mix, and can be engaged in conversation about the sites,sounds and feelings of the outdoors. Playing “I Spy” games or having visual treasure hunts are great ways to get kids to look around and learn something while they hike.

While food and water are obvious essentials to a hike, there are other useful aids for a successful day. Walking sticks are good tools for strenuous hikes. While you can invest in a pair of hiking poles, a big tall stick is more fun for kids,giving them the impression that they are adventurers in the wilderness. Comfortable hiking shoes or sneakers are important, as well as good socks. A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also important for protection from the sun. With these things in mind, a family can be ready in less than an hour to hop in the car and hit the trails.

Young children four years old or younger are the easiest to tote along because they can enjoy a long hike from the comfort of a baby backpack. Kelty packs are most popular, though there are many brands to choose from, including Baby Trend, InStep and Sherpani. Be sure to carry enough diapers & wipes for a day’s hike, snacks, such as raisins, cut apples, cereal bars, crackers and water. Each family member should have his or her own water bottle, including little tots.

Children between five and 12 years old can carry their own small backpack with a few snacks and water. Younger children will be more interested in talking about things they see on the trail. This age groups needs to be encouraged often, with praise for their hard work and perseverance in following the trail. Giving children things to look forward to, like a rest at the top of the next switch back, or a snack at the next waterfall are helpful ways of making the trails enjoyable. Of course,the way down from a steep trail is always encouragement enough because kids know that it will be faster coming down.

Children 13 years and older are easiest to take out hiking because they are old enough to take their own packs, and hike long distances. Good hiking boots, lots of snacks and water, and engaging conversation are also essential to having fun hiking with this age group.

The Trails
In the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie area, there are a number of hikes that are challenging and fun for families to hike on. Three good hikes accessible from Mt. Baker Scenic Byway (State Route 542) are Church Mountain Trail, Goat Mountain Trail and the Nooksack criterial.

Church Mountain Trail (trail #671) is a scenic and steep hike that will be challenging, but fun for children. The trail goes through steep forested switch backs for about three miles before opening up into meadows and views of Mt. Baker. Along the way, children may spot deer in the woods, and they will especially enjoy the meadows, with ample space to run and have a picnic. The hike can end at the meadows, or if children are willing, can continue to the top, where a lookout site has breathtaking views. The roundtrip is 8.4 miles with an elevation gain of 3,700 plus feet. Be sure to pack plenty of snacks and water, and take breaks frequently. Parents should not feel like they have to reach the top, and should turn around if their kids feel too tired or are no longer enjoying the hike.

To get to Church Mountain Trail take Mt. Baker Highway to milepost 39. Take a left onto Church Mountain Road and follow it 2.5 miles to the end.

Goat Mountain Trail is a little less strenuous and just as scenic. The trail also begins with steep switch backs through timber and opens into meadows after about three miles. The meadows are full of beautiful heather and yummy blueberries. The meadows are a great spot for camping for those wanting to do some back country camping. The hike is about six miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 2,900 plus feet. The blueberries are an added incentive for kids if you get there during the season(check with the park rangers so you don’t make any false promises to your kids beforehand).

To get to Goat Mountain Trail take Mt. Baker Highway to milepost 46. Turn left on Hannegan Pass Road and follow the road about 2.5 miles to the trailhead on the left. The parking area is on the right after the trailhead.

The Nooksack Cirque Trail is a good trail for those who want to be out in the wilderness but don’t want to be challenged by elevation gain or steep switch backs. The trail begins with a log footbridge crossing Ruth Creek. The first two miles of the hike is an old roadway that is overgrown. The path is wide and a pleasant way to start a day of hiking and talking with kids. At the end of the overgrown roadway the trail reaches a clear cut which marks the beginning of the forest trail. The trail goes about one mile from the beginning to the riverbank, which is a great spot for a picnic or for kids to explore. The trail enters the Mt. Baker Wilderness Area and becomes more rugged after this point.

For those willing to continue on,the trail is a bit more difficult, and crossing the tributary on logs or stones, as well as hiking over a cobblestone surface should be expected. The views of Mt. Shuksan and Icy Peak will be spectacular though, and the path will be exciting for young adventurers. The hike up to the riverbank and back is about a seven mile roundtrip with little elevation gain.

To get to the Nooksack Cirque Trail take Mt. Baker Highway to Hannegan Road. There is a sign indicating the trail turnoff onto Forest Road 32. After about 1.5 miles, veer right onto Forest Road 34. There will be a sign for the trailhead. For all hikes you will need to obtain a Northwest Forest Pass,which can be purchased at ranger stations and some local vendors. Cost per vehicle is $5 per day or $30 per year.