Hikin' with Grandkids

[Sally]

Today I met up with my daughter (Alison) and grandkids (Caeleb, 7, & Quin, 5) at the tram. We were a bit late because I had a dentist appointment in the morning, and boarded the 1:00 tram.

The first thing that happened was I nearly fainted as the tram neared the mountain station. This was probably due to a combination of the crowded stuffy car, the heat, and taking a pain pill on an empty stomach. When I got off the tram I sat down and had a bite to eat and some Gatorade and was good to go.

We picked up a permit and started hiking at 2:00. Grandma laid down the rules: no throwing stuff, no hitting things with sticks, and no complaining. The original goal was to see if the little guys could make it to the Peak. They were actually moving at a good clip, but they also kept getting distracted by trying to find the perfect hiking stick and other things. Also, we took a few snack breaks along the way.

We got to Wellman's Junction at about 4:00. The kids were having a blast just playing on the rocks, so we decided that this was a good place to to stop. San Jacinto Peak would have to wait for another day. I learned that it helps to be flexible when hiking with kids, and just go with the flow. The main idea is to keep them happy so that they don't complain and so that they'll want to do it again.

We made it back to Long Valley at about 7:00. I told my hiking buddies that we were going to have some pretty good pizza at the tram station. Well, we got there just as the servers took the pizza away. Just to let you all know, the pizza kitchen closes at 7:00. The young man did sell us the last 3 sandwiches, though. We scarffed them down. Out on the deck we watched a raccoon for a while. Then we took the tram back down.

It's sure different hiking with the little guys, but fun!

[Sally]

Sorry to bore everyone with pictures of grandkids but I couldn't resist

https://picasaweb.google.com/sallymorle ... directlink

[Andy]

Sally, looks like you had a great time on the mountain and those are some wonderful pics of the kids . Only wish my grandma had been as cool!

[tinaballina]

Awesome Sally!

[cynthia23]

Thanks so much for this post I bought my kids (12,11, 6) tram passes this summer and we've been hiking up there. In past years we've hiked 'down below'. It's a very different experiece than hiking with adults, but in a good way. As you say, the main thing is to go with the flow. It definitely becomes much more of a process and the destination has to stay flexible. Sometimes you only get a quarter mile. That's okay though. My only thing to add to your post is that when hiking with kids try to find a route that has a stream or waterfall at the end. That really motivates them and they can spend hours exploring a stream. It's good for adults to slow down!

Super cute grandkids by the way!

[Hikin_Jim]

Sorry to bore everyone with pictures of grandkids but I couldn't resist

https://picasaweb.google.com/sallymorle ... directlink

Bore? What are you talking about?

Beautiful nature? Beautiful children? Not boring at all. Sounds like a really good time as a matter of fact.

HJ

[zippetydude]

Great post Sally and those are some cute critters. I agree with your philosophy and what Cynthia said. I took my Cat out for a mountain bike ride in the foothills below Idyllwild. We found a spring that isn't usually there about 1/2 mile into the ride. She was totally mystified why I wanted to keep going...isn't this what we came out here for???? Water at the end of the hike, along the way, or instead of the rest of the hike, is very much a goal for little ones. Gotta love it. Thanks again for the cool post.

z

[scottmac]

Ride ’em hard & put ’em away wet ...

Seriously, I love my little hikers. Whitewater canyon / river is a favorite destination of ours. So is the sand dune near Snow Creek...

[Sally]

Thanks, everyone. You guys hit the nail on the head about kids and water. My grandkids can't cross a stream without looking for tadpoles, water skeeters, fish, etc. If you tell them there's a waterfall up ahead, they're up and running.

[HH8]

Little dudes are FAMOUS now - tell them. We passed several 8-13 yr-olds on Bishop Pass last week.