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California has some of the most glorious natural scenery,
not only majestic Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe
and Big Sur, but golden hills dotted with oak trees, deserts with cactus
and knobby Joshua trees, alpine meadows covered with shooting stars and
buttercups, places where there are no roads, only trails through the landscape. |
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Hiking with kids at any age is a wonderful experience. Stick
your infant in a baby backpack (ditch the stroller), and you can hike as
far as you like. With toddlers, savor the experience of stopping to look
at every little thing along the way. The distance may be short, but the
joy of small scale discoveries is immeasurable. Watch curly oak leaves floating
in the creek, red ants digging holes on the trail, bees buzzing in a hive
stuck on a massive sandstone cliff. Climb in the branches of a live oak
tree along the way or spend time playing in a stream. With older kids, you
can cover more territory, hike longer distances to reach a high mountain
lake, scramble over rocks in the desert or follow a chalky trail to reach
the beach far below. And before you know it, your kids will be taking the
lead, speeding up the trail ahead, leaving slowpoke adults in the dust. |
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Hiking in California is something we've done with our kids
since they were infants. One summer when the boys were 3 and 5, we spent
several weeks in Reds Meadow, near Mammoth Lakes. It was wonderful for little
kids – we could hike to a meadow or bubbling spring, then take the
shuttle bus back (a free shuttle bus goes down the valley). Other hikes
were off the shuttle bus route, but took us to spectacular sights, such
as Rainbow Falls. Our most ambitious hike was to the Red Cones, 6 miles
round trip, 1,000 ft. gain in elevation. On that hike, my 3 year old was
my special hiking partner. I walked hand in hand with him. When he was tired,
we rested, but I'd say, "Let's stop up the trail at that shady spot
under that tree," or "Can you make it to the top of this little
hill?" We had lots of snacks and drinks of water along the way. And
before he realized it, we were at the top of the Red Cones. |
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Some kids are natural hikers, others may ease into it more
slowly. Start easy, but keep at it. With a little effort, the rewards are
satisfying – perhaps wading in a river at the base of a magnificent
waterfall, looking out over a golden valley below, or climbing to a mountain
pass, where views in any direction go on as far as the eye can see. |
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Tips for enjoying family hikes |
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Drinking water – Anywhere you go,
bring along bottled water, especially in the desert or at high elevations
in the mountains. In the warm, dry California air, it's easy to get dehydrated.
Streams may look clear and pristine, but don't drink from them, even in
the High Sierra. |
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Snacks – Bring out kids favorite snacks when you need to take a break,
rest a little, then get going again. |
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Proper foot wear – Make sure everyone
has comfortable shoes, even on short hikes. Nobody likes to hike if your
feet hurt. Closed toed shoes, with socks, are best. Flip flops and plastic
sandals are difficult on dirt paths or trails. |
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Sunscreen and hats – California has a wonderfully temperate
climate, but don't be deceived, it's easy to get sunburned. Wear hats
that cover your face and neck, and slather on the sun screen. |
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Mosquito repellent – If you're hiking
near streams in the spring and early summer, mosquitoes may be out in force.
Bring along mosquito repellent, spray-on stuff suitable for kids. |
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Poison Oak – One of the most annoying
plants, ubiquitous throughout California, from the foothills of the Sierra
Nevada to the Pacific Coast, is poison oak. When you brush against the leaves,
the oil from the plant irritates the skin, turning into tiny blisters that
itch for days. Poison oak loses its leaves in winter, and even the stems
can give you a poison oak itch. In spring, poison oak has white flowers
(when my mother was a little girl, she brought home garlands of poison oak
for decorations …). |
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Even on well-maintained trails, poison oak grows
easily and bushily. If kids are hiking in shorts and sandals, watch out
for plants growing close to the trail. You can spot poison oak by it's shiny
green leaves (or reddish color in spring and fall) and distinctive group
of three leaves. Just remember, "Leaves of three, stay away from me." |
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Rattlesnakes – Rattlesnakes live at
lower elevations all around California. You can tell a rattlesnake by its
triangular shaped head, and also look (and listen) for the rattles on the
tail. If you're climbing up rocks, watch where you put your hands –
you don't want to surprise a rattlesnake sunning itself on a rock. If you
see a snake, leave it alone, don't try to get closer for a better look.
Baby rattlesnakes are also to be avoided – they bite too. |
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Ticks – Ticks carrying Lyme disease
are found in California, in areas such as the Santa Monica Mountains above
Malibu, Sonoma Coast and the Napa Valley. These are low risk areas, but after you've been
out hiking, check for ticks. If you've been bit by a tick carrying the bacteria
that causes the disease, you'll see a "bull's eye rash." Early
detection is important for successful treatment. |
