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  1. #1
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    :banana My kids- best sections for them to hike with me

    Hi folks, I have three daughters age 16,14,7
    I want them to join me individually for a week each. What I'm looking for is some suggestions on sections, states and any other advise regarding them joining me! Thanks I love this site!

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    Your youngest should be there for Grayson Highlands and the ponies. The oldest should join you in the Whites from Franconia to Gorham. The middle child should meet you at Abol Bridge and climb Baxter Peak.

  3. #3
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    Thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for!

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    May need to let more than one join in on the ponies...
    Quote Originally Posted by moldy View Post
    Your youngest should be there for Grayson Highlands and the ponies. The oldest should join you in the Whites from Franconia to Gorham. The middle child should meet you at Abol Bridge and climb Baxter Peak.
    Plaid is fast! Ticks suck, literally... It’s ok, bologna hoses off…
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  5. #5
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    Yes, ponies are awesome! If you are hiking over 40 miles, consider Maryland. Begin at Harpers Ferry, and hike to PennMar Prk (thie girls can say they hiked across the entire state of Maryland). There are many historic sites that you will walk through plus a ton of outstanding views! I hiked this with my 10 and 12-year-old sons... great experience for all of us!

  6. #6
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    +1 for shelb's advice

  7. #7
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    Thanks great idea

  8. #8

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    Curious as to why individually? IMO many more memories can be made if they share the experience together, while splitting a 3man tent between them and giving you your own tent space back makes for a nice break for personal privacy at night. However I don't have kids so this desire for personal privacy my vanish once have children for so many years.

    I can not speak about the trail in Maine/ New Hampshire.. But I can suggest the Roan Highlands, Grayson highlands and northern Smokies from Newfound gap to i40...Or the latter of the trips continued on to Hot springs for a further trip. Below are the links to mileages for those trips, While not a week long as you have to determine appropriate mileage for your people and yourself, this provides the "Must See" to incorporate into your full trip.

    Roan Highlands 16.3 miles
    If you want to eliminate a big climb at the beginning of your trip you could start your trip at either cloudland Site or Carvers Gap.

    Grayson Highlands 17 miles

    Northern Smokies 30.8 miles

    Northern Smokies onward to Hot springs 66 miles
    Trail Miles: 4,927.6
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 0.0
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  9. #9
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    Thanks I like the idea of some one on one time with each. It will be easier to handle any issues like cramps, blisters whining if it's just me it is slowing down! Sisters ( siblings) can be very mean to each other Can I get amen ladies with sisters?

  10. #10
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    Any other suggestions for the kids

  11. #11

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    By "joining you" do you mean as part of a thru hike or joining you for a section hike? That distinction makes a big difference.
    Last edited by Slo-go'en; 12-10-2017 at 18:44.
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  12. #12
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    Part of a thru hike nobo

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by DBOW! View Post
    Part of a thru hike nobo
    Okay That's what I suspected and that complicates the issue tremendously. When are the kids available? Only when schools out? That would limit you to say early June to late August. Now where will you be in that time frame? Depends on when you start. An April 1st start puts most people at Trail Days in Damascus the 2nd weekend of May. So, early June you'd be about mid way through VA.

    The Shenandoah NP would be a good section to start with. Reasonably easy travel arrangements to get there and back. I would assume your wife would drive the kids out to the trail, spend the week hitting the yard sales and antique stores and pick them up at the other end.

    Maybe pick up one kid and drop another off when you get to Front Royal. A few days later you'd be in Harpers Ferry. That would be a good section for the young one. Then pick up the last one when you get to NJ and spare the kids the agony of PA.

    Your really going to have to play it by ear. Getting your schedule and theirs to match up can be a challenge in it's own right.
    Last edited by Slo-go'en; 12-10-2017 at 22:24.
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  14. #14
    Registered User Sandy of PA's Avatar
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    PA is just fine until Duncannon! Carlise is a good pickup being right off the Turnpike.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gambit McCrae View Post
    However I don't have kids so this desire for personal privacy my vanish once have children for so many years
    The desire for personal privacy never vanishes!!! But you learn to deal with it and find ways to make time for yourself although it never lasts for very long.

    I'm a section hiker and plan to hike for a week around the Grayson Highlands with my 13 and 11 year old daughters this summer. I picked that spot for the ponies! Then I'll go on my own in Maine for another week where I know the terrain is rough and they wouldn't enjoy themselves.

  16. #16

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    Not sure when you're starting or how ably/willingly your daughters hike. One of your older daughters might enjoy starting the trail with you at Springer, possible hiking through to Dick's Creek Gap and a stay in the Hiker Hostel. It would be quite the experience, she would see how others fare starting their thru and how you fare as well. Be careful, you may create a monster ... =)

  17. #17

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    Some good suggestions, but also depends how into hiking they are. Some places would be amazing, but would daughters even teenage ones really enjoy a 2000 climb.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Durunner View Post
    Some good suggestions, but also depends how into hiking they are. Some places would be amazing, but would daughters even teenage ones really enjoy a 2000 climb.
    As long as you keep it fun, they do.
    You can walk in another person's shoes, but only with your feet

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by shelb View Post
    Yes, ponies are awesome! If you are hiking over 40 miles, consider Maryland. Begin at Harpers Ferry, and hike to PennMar Prk (thie girls can say they hiked across the entire state of Maryland). There are many historic sites that you will walk through plus a ton of outstanding views! I hiked this with my 10 and 12-year-old sons... great experience for all of us!
    A Maryland section was the first hike I took my two daughters on, 10 and 13 at the time. We did Washington Monument up to ANNAPOLIS Rocks and stayed overnight, then returned home. Just over 5 miles each way, but was just enough to challenge the younger one (who was only about 55 lbs at the time carrying a 12 lb pack)

    I think Maryland is a great section to get kids started.

  20. #20
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    Thanks
    I like Maryland as well
    My kids have grit, they have done the incline in manitou springs co

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