Hiking w/son, suggestions?

imported
#1

Can’t do my planned thru this year, but can do a shorter trip with my 11 year old son. Would like to do somewhere between 75 - 100 miles. I’m considering sections 3 thru 7 (Buffalo Creek to Copper) or 9 thru 13 (Tennessee Pass to Chalk Creek). Ideally the section we hike will have great views and less motorized traffic.

He’s in good shape, loves hiking and has a very light pack (< 10 lbs) but I still want to be mindful of his size and age.

Any comments or other suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
John

John

#2

Hi John, My husband, 12 year old son and I hiked about 80 miles on the Colorado Trail last summer and had a BLAST. We drove to Durango parked the car, took the narrow gauge railroad toward Silverton and walked back to the car on the Colorado Trail. IT WAS AWESOME! Our backpacking trip took about seven days. Son’s pack was about 15-18 pounds. We split up the weight of a three man tent.

The views were awesome, in every direction, from every step. We can’t wait to go back this summer. I’ll have some photos posted soon. Email me with any questions.

Nancy

#3

The North Bend Rail Trail through WV covers @70 miles and follows an old railroad bed so it is completely flat. It features 10 tunnels and 38 bridges. It is a part of The America Discovery Trail which crosses the US from Delaware to California.

salt & pepper

#4

sections 3-7 more traffic, less views
sections 9-13, lodgeple pine
anything 15 and after, better views, fewer people
more people closer to Durango, of course

la

#5

Suggestions? Enjoy every minute of it!

W. Bob

#6

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I’ll take Nancy up on her suggestion to hike Silverton to Durango. Easy logistics, good scenery and can get resupplied midway from friends in Rico (in the middle of that 20 mile waterless section). SWEET!

Now if we can just make it past the first climb out of the river bottom after the train drops us off…

John