Perry,
For hiking, when they're young, a front pack works well, at least it did for me. I could carry my regular backpack on my back and carry Joycie on my front. It splits the weight, and I get to use my regular backpack. A lot of child carrier backpacks have very little carrying capacity (other than the child).
Here's Joyce, asleep, in a front pack:
The one problem with a front pack is that you can't see your feet well once the child gets a little bigger, which is tough at stream crossings and such.
You're welcome to borrow our "Snuggly" which we're not currently using if you want to try one out.
I've also got two backpack child carriers which are good for when the child is a little bit bigger. You're welcome to one. Both are used and were given to me by other parents who had finished with them.
HJ