First back pack over nighter with 12year old son

[wt]

I am planning my first back pack trip with my 12 yo son this summer. We are planning on 1or two nights, 3-7 miles one way, somewhere in the Cascades. We are not hardcore but are very interested in doing alot more of it over the next several years. Any advise on specific hikes anyone would recommend, or general preperation advice would be great.

[j_h_nimrod]

I’m not sure what your intentions for the trip are, but generally at 12 kids still get bored so plan on a place with multiple activities. Camping in itself is enjoyable but I would plan on moderate hikes to a destination with fishing or other activities.

Remember lots of snacks!

[Oh Mah]

With the recent cougar attack the only advice i will give is take bear spray,A sidearm will be better than nothing but bear spray seems to me to be a lot better for a cougar sudden attack.Have both,Take both. 

[KFhunter]

With the recent cougar attack the only advice i will give is take bear spray,A sidearm will be better than nothing but bear spray seems to me to be a lot better for a cougar sudden attack.Have both,Take both. 

 

get him a nice boys axe, first knife, flashlight and a chart for viewing stars at night.  Use lot's of light, manage his fear if he's the type to be fearful. 

[JeffRaines]

Maybe this goes without saying, but make sure he's in shape for whatever hike you guys choose.

I remember my first backpacking trip years ago - I picked a trail that was listed as moderate... 7 miles and some 2300 feet of elevation gain. While I was okay with doing that with next to no weight on my back, adding 30lbs made it grueling. I got to the lake, and I was completely zapped! I brought stuff in to fish - didn't fish. Just wanted to sleep.

As far as hikes, for an 'unprepared' hike I'd go for Pete Lake. Its nice enough, 4 easy flat miles in, a lake to fish in, and you can dayhike to some nearby areas. Rachel Lake is nice as well.

[cvandervort]

My 12yo daughter has been taking trips with me since she was 5 ish, and my 5yo daughter did her first multi day with me last year... a couple of things:
1) my daughter is very athletic, but a full size backpack with maybe 15lbs was plenty (keeping her spirits up was more important to me than lightening my own load
2) hi chews
3) my kids get a kick out of having their own “kit” - pocket knife, flashlight, compass. We take them out and use them for any little thing we can...gets them used to it.
4) Pete Lake is a great suggestion, or take a hike down a river - usually less elevation gain, you can turn around wherever, and always be by water! Win win win for the kid

Have fun!



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[Caseknife]

Hyas Lake is a good one also, but only about 2 miles in.  Take a small inflatable raft, good fishing for Eastern brook.
Day hike from there up to Tuck, awesome views of Mt Daniels.  Have fun and hope it is a start to many more adventures.

[jackelope]

Barclay Lake up hwy 2 is a great kids hike although it's a short hike. 2-ish miles. Great lake side campsites, no elevation gain, etc. If the kid is a hiker, he can probably do more, but if you want to just get him the experience of backpacking and spending a night in the woods, it's a good one to start out.

[ctwiggs1]

Barclay Lake up hwy 2 is a great kids hike although it's a short hike. 2-ish miles. Great lake side campsites, no elevation gain, etc. If the kid is a hiker, he can probably do more, but if you want to just get him the experience of backpacking and spending a night in the woods, it's a good one to start out.

Honestly, even if you're in shape I would still do something like this first.  Just get used to being alone in the woods, carrying a pack, setting up a tent, cooking, etc.

[Pathfinder101]

My 12yo daughter has been taking trips with me since she was 5 ish, and my 5yo daughter did her first multi day with me last year... a couple of things:
1) my daughter is very athletic, but a full size backpack with maybe 15lbs was plenty (keeping her spirits up was more important to me than lightening my own load
2) hi chews
3) my kids get a kick out of having their own “kit” - pocket knife, flashlight, compass. We take them out and use them for any little thing we can...gets them used to it.
4) Pete Lake is a great suggestion, or take a hike down a river - usually less elevation gain, you can turn around wherever, and always be by water! Win win win for the kid

Have fun!



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Great advice    About what I was going to say. 

[dmv9]

Annette Lake along I-90 is a nice hike with camping spots and a "toilet". The trout in the lake are a nice dinner treat as well.

[kselkhunter]

PM sent. 

[Skyvalhunter]

If you are planning on going in July-Aug time frame try to leave early as you will beat a lot of the mid day heat. Prepare for plenty of Mosquitos. If you are going to have him wear boots take a pair of his tennis shoes incase the boots don't feel right. Just take your time and maybe this can be the start of a teaching lesson for him. Take a map and show him where you plan to go, on stops maybe point out landmarks and on the map. It's always nice for a youngster to know distance traveled and how far you have to go. My Dad always would say just a little further or around the corner, then an hour later we are still hiking.

[wt]

Thanks for all the responses and the pm.  I'll look into these a little and get the wheels turning.

[CAMPMEAT]

Harts Pass near Twisp is beautiful 6700' and hopefully far enough away from Seattle the crackheads won't break into your vehicle.......

[wt]

Hearts pass, I'll look it up, thanks.

[CAMPMEAT]

Hearts pass, I'll look it up, thanks.

Hart Pass. We saw a Lynx up there too.

[ridgefire]

The lakes up around Big Heart Lake are pretty decent and a pretty cool lake that is easy to hike to is Lake Valhalla.

[swanny]

I'll give a shout out to Pete Lake, great spot with some excellent fishing and almost no elevation gain going on.

[wt]

Thank you for all the responses.

[Tjv28]

Fishing, hot chocolate, mountain house, head lamp, BUG SPRAY (ben’s 99% deet), etc... rachel lake is a good one with rampart ridge just above. Pete lake is also a good starter, 4 miles one way. Flat,but pretty monotonous forest walking. Once at the lake it’s great though!

[wt]

We ended up going to lake Dorothy this weekend for one night.  We had a good time but it rained about 70% of the time. At least it kept the skeeters down. My son and I enjoyed the time to ourselves, and we got to do a bit of exploring.  I think I ate to many blue hucks, as evidenced by frequent latrine visits lol.

[DJ_Mack]

We ended up going to lake Dorothy this weekend for one night.  We had a good time but it rained about 70% of the time. At least it kept the skeeters down. My son and I enjoyed the time to ourselves, and we got to do a bit of exploring.  I think I ate to many blue hucks, as evidenced by frequent latrine visits lol.

Dorothy Lake is a great hike for overnights. It usually fishes well also. Glad you enjoyed yourself.


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[Skyvalhunter]

Dorothy is a good lake for a first time out. There are many opportunities out there.