No children under 6 allowed above timberline in Baxter Sate Park.

[TJ aka Teej]

Baxter's a great place for little kids. Fishing, canoeing, swimming, hiking to waterfalls, s'mores around the campfire, children's programs all summer, a truly wonderful place.

Except above timberline.

Baxter's access rules and regulations are well thought out and crafted with safety of all visitors as their top priority.

"Rule 2.2 - No children under the age of 6 are allowed above timberline."

Taking small children above treeline in Baxter is simply recklessness bordering on intentional endangerment.

The rule was written by people intimately familiar with conditions and risks in all weather and all seasons - their knowledge and experience trumps all whims and wishes from under-informed parents.

The risk is not worth it - no matter how much you want that Instagram pic.

[Lauriep]

Great post.

[FreeGoldRush]

Smart move. Allowing parents to make choices regarding their children's safety would be irresponsible.

[rickb]

Something happen that precipitated those posts?

[rhjanes]

Is the rule new? Just wondering.

[egilbe]

Is the rule new? Just wondering.

Been posted at the trailheads for years. Somepeople are too dumb to be allowed to reproduce.

[TJ aka Teej]

Is the rule new? Just wondering.

From the 70s.

[T.S.Kobzol]

this is probably a prequel to the event should the family with little children that is currently hiking the AT make it to BSP.

[Lone Wolf]

this is probably a prequel to the event should the family with little children that is currently hiking the AT make it to BSP.

probably the point of this post

[TJ aka Teej]

this is probably a prequel to the event should the family with little children that is currently hiking the AT make it to BSP.

Not in particular. There's recently been 3 babes in backpack carriers that I know of in the 100, and this applies to car campers too. It's been an increasing trend.
That family isn't in the Whites yet, as far as I know.

[D2maine]

Not in particular. There's recently been 3 babes in backpack carriers that I know of in the 100, and this applies to car campers too. It's been an increasing trend.
That family isn't in the Whites yet, as far as I know.

why spam every AT forum you can find with Baxter info that is readily accessible by anybody - its not like the park rules are hidden away and only you are the keeper of the info


https://baxterstatepark.org/rules-and-permits/

[TJ aka Teej]

why spam every AT forum you can find with Baxter info that is readily accessible by anybody - its not like the park rules are hidden away and only you are the keeper of the info

If only every visitor to Baxter was as well informed as you!
If that were the case the dozens of families who show up every season wanting to take junior above timberline wouldn't show up wanting to take junior above timberline.
Tell me, tell us, how would you get the info out to people who show up claiming they had no idea about Rule 2.2?

[D2maine]

If only every visitor to Baxter was as well informed as you!
If that were the case the dozens of families who show up every season wanting to take junior above timberline wouldn't show up wanting to take junior above timberline.
Tell me, tell us, how would you get the info out to people who show up claiming they had no idea about Rule 2.2?

if the park thought it was such a big problem and wants to do more they can. the park already has a facebook page and a website - at some point its on the guests to put some very very minimal effort in.

[Starchild]

If only every visitor to Baxter was as well informed as you!
If that were the case the dozens of families who show up every season wanting to take junior above timberline wouldn't show up wanting to take junior above timberline.
Tell me, tell us, how would you get the info out to people who show up claiming they had no idea about Rule 2.2?

I would like to add age restrictions in traveling through the wildernesses, and for that matter going above treeline, is highly unusual and I can see how many would not know this, nor have any reason to even consider to research it. I known in the whites and the Adrondacks, each have many hikes about treeline children are welcome, actually I can't think of anywhere besides Baxter which restricts it. In that I do get the info on rescues for the Adirondacks and can't recall it ever coming up. So yes I would say that Baxter needs to really point out rule 2.2 as it won't be expected.

[RuthN]

Not in particular. There's recently been 3 babes in backpack carriers that I know of in the 100, and this applies to car campers too. It's been an increasing trend.
That family isn't in the Whites yet, as far as I know.

This blogger saw them in NH "a few days ago" according to a July 23 post. https://thetrek.co/appalachian-trail...anconia-ridge/

They might relish being prevented from climbing Katahdin. It would be good for their story line.

[Gambit McCrae]

Agreed,
The kid wont know any different, and he can come back when he is 6, still not knowing the difference and hiking up Big K, boy what a AT reunion vid that will make...
In real time, their videos are several weeks behind where they are on the trail. So they could in fact be done with the trail by now but I would say it would be pushing it a bit.

[Tundracamper]

I am curious what is so terribly dangerous that a parent can’t carry a child under 6 above the timberline there. I’ve been to Mt. Evans, which is about 3 times the elevation, and recall seeing kids up there. If you don’t want them hiking, fine. But why can’t an adult carry one if they want to?

[T.S.Kobzol]

I put the family on 'media ignore' a few months ago. :-)

[George]

I put the family on 'media ignore' a few months ago. :-)

why are you here - if you want to be closed minded

I had my doubts, but they are close to pulling it off - there are a hell of a lot worse things those kids could be exposed to

[T.S.Kobzol]

Why am I where? On whiteblaze.net? Does the world of thruhiking revolve around this hiking family? Are we going to delete the forum when they finish their thru hike? :-)

I'm here because I like hiking, camping and long distance trails but there are some attention grabbing personalities I dislike. I hope that's ok with You? By now you probably dislike me...why are you here? :-)

why are you here - if you want to be closed minded

I had my doubts, but they are close to pulling it off - there are a hell of a lot worse things those kids could be exposed to