15 miles in one day w/ 4 kids?!

[ynot]

I am planning on hiking the AT (one section at a time), w/ my 4 kids. They are betweent the ages of 7-12. Does anyone think that going from Blackburn Trail Center to Harper's Ferry Hostel (near the C&O) in one day is possible and not too difficult?

[rafe]

What evidence do you have that this could be easy and pleasant?

[ynot]

Nothing is easy and pleasant w/ 4 kids. I just want to know if it is possible and not too difficult.

[weary]

I am planning on hiking the AT (one section at a time), w/ my 4 kids. They are between the ages of 7-12. Does anyone think that going from Blackburn Trail Center to Harper's Ferry Hostel (near the C&O) in one day is possible and not too difficult?

In my experience 15 miles is way to much for a 7-year-old. Most of my three kids were backpacking by ages 3 or 4, but we essentially went from shelter to shelter. We rarely did more than 10 miles a day, and often much less (think five to eight) Could they have gone further? Probably. But for a decade they went with me willingly and enthusiastically.

Something, I doubt they would have done with 15 mile days. We backpacked, rather than day hiked. But the kids packs were light. Essentially, the younger ones carried their sleeping bags, clothing and snacks.

Weary

[Skyline]

The trail from Blackburn to the C&O is pretty easy--tho with rocky footing in the section after Keys Gap--so probably you and the 12 year old could do it. The younger kids could likely have big problems.

But you know the kids better than any of us, just remember 14+ miles is a lot. How experienced are these kids? How in-shape are they? What have they done in the recent past to lead you to believe they might be up to this, and won't learn to hate backpacking as a result of it?

Why not park at the hostel, shuttle out to Keys Gap, and hike back as a first-run test? That would be fewer miles, and probably more realistic. (Don't park at the Keys Gap trailhead, however--it's known for vandalism.)

[1azarus]

... survival of the fittest? i wouldn't try that with four inexperienced twenty year olds. go for less distance and have the kids love it.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Very few children younger than their teens would be up for a 15 mile hike regardless of footing or elevation. Unless these children are experienced hikers who have done similar hikes in the past, I would not recommend this. The likely outcome will be your sanity and patience will be taxed and the kids will learn to hate hiking.

[Touch of Grey]

I am planning on hiking the AT (one section at a time), w/ my 4 kids. They are betweent the ages of 7-12. Does anyone think that going from Blackburn Trail Center to Harper's Ferry Hostel (near the C&O) in one day is possible and not too difficult?

With kids that age the first thing I would say from experience is that 5 to 7 miles is going to be about the max you will get from them in one day. Sure you might be able to push them farther, but do youo want them to enjoy the hike or loath you and hiking because of the miles you impose.

Take the time to share the trail and all that you see around you instead of trying to do so many miles. Walk slowly, see the flowers and wild life that is there if you walk slowly, quietly and pay attention. The kids will enjoy it more and maybe be avid hikers later in life.

But hey they are your kids and not mine. Do what you feel necessary. As always you will get a thousand different replies from these forums and as someone else mentioned earlier you should know your kids better than we do so if you feel comfortable with the 15 miles you have planned then go for it. I personally would not.

TOG

[QHShowoman]

Is it possible, probably. Too difficult, most likely. Even if the trail is relatively easy, I think 15 miles is a lot for most "occasional hikers" in a single day.

I went backpacking in SNP over the holiday and it took my 2 friends and I a little over 3 hours to do 9 miles and we were pooped by the time we made camp. Granted, we had a lot of prolonged climbs, but boy, we all felt it the next day. With young kids, you'll probably stop quite a bit more than we did and hike a bit slower, so it could take you more than 7-8 hours to cover 15 miles ... seems like a lot for little kids.

But, like they say, sometimes when you have to ask, it's because you already know the answer!

[ynot]

Okay. Any suggestions for a good place to camp between Blackburn Trail Center and the C&0? It has to be cheap-there's five of us. Kids are expensive! Any good camp sites? I don't see nay shelters in my guide book. Maybe I'm missing it.

[Skyline]

Okay. Any suggestions for a good place to camp between Blackburn Trail Center and the C&0? It has to be cheap-there's five of us. Kids are expensive! Any good camp sites? I don't see nay shelters in my guide book. Maybe I'm missing it.

Only shelter is David Lesser Shelter. But that's just a short 2-3 mile hike from Blackburn.

I don't recall any legal campsites from Keys Gap into HF. Anyone know of one? My recollection is it's pretty rocky without water sources until the last descent to the Shenandoah River (which is off-limits for camping anyway).

Again, why not start at Keys Gap? Just don't park there.

[ynot]

Kids were just excited about the idea of crossing 4 states. VA, WV, MD, and PA. We're getting picked up at the Mason-Dixon line. I guess 3 states would still give them their bragging rights though. If any one can think of somewhere-please let me know. If not, Keys Gap it is.

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

Splitting it into two days and camping would be an awesome outing for your kids. I don't know that area well enough to recommend a camping spot, but I'm betting someone here does.

[Programbo]

Kids were just excited about the idea of crossing 4 states. VA, WV, MD, and PA. We're getting picked up at the Mason-Dixon line. I guess 3 states would still give them their bragging rights though. If any one can think of somewhere-please let me know. If not, Keys Gap it is.

I can`t imagine the younger kids have enough comprehension of what exactly awaits them doing 15 miles on a rocky trail in the heat ...There are a LOT of shelters closer together once you enter Maryland..Maybe starting just south of Harpers Ferry at Rt 9 will still get your kids their 4 states but cut down on the milage right off ..That would only be 9.5 miles or so and some of it on the flat C&O Canal

[Egads]

I put my youngest girl in charge of calling it a day on a GA section. She called it quits at 7.5 miles and still had fun. I could have pushed her further, but at the expense of spoiling the fun trail experience.

Some hikes need to be hiked for the pleasure of others.

[gsingjane]

We did this last Sunday from Hemlocks to Tom Leonard in MA (14 miles on the trail plus 1 on a detour) with 4 kids, my 8 year old, 12 year old, 15 year old and his 14 year old friend. About 6 miles of the trail was flattish. It was hot and there were bunches of mosquitoes. We did get off and go into South Egremont for sandwiches and drinks which lifted everyone's spirits quite a lot. By the end of it everybody was really happy to see the shelter.

My input...

Jane in CT

[Frolicking Dinosaurs]

I can`t imagine the younger kids have enough comprehension of what exactly awaits them doing 15 miles on a rocky trail in the heat ...There are a LOT of shelters closer together once you enter Maryland..Maybe starting just south of Harpers Ferry at Rt 9 will still get your kids their 4 states but cut down on the milage right off ..That would only be 9.5 miles or so and some of it on the flat C&O Canal

I echo this suggestion - Programbo is an excellent resourse - she knows this area much better than most.

[jesse]

another thing to consider is how slow "groups" move. My son and I hike at a pretty good pace, when we take the same trail with his scout troop, the pace is nearly cut in half.

[Johnny Swank]

I usually use 1 mph as a working figure when leading group trips. With breaks, blisters, repairs, and whatnot, that works out about right more often then not, unless you've got an experienced bunch of folks.

[Mags]

I usually use 1 mph as a working figure when leading group trips. With breaks, blisters, repairs, and whatnot, that works out about right more often then not, unless you've got an experienced bunch of folks.

That is right on! Unless it is a pre-screened group of people who are comitted to a faster pace, groups definitely go slower. Breaks take longer and tend to be more frequent. A group dynamic is much different. Can be rewarding in some ways, but planning to do "big" (a relative term to say the least) mileage is usuallyout of the question.