Kid's First Backpacking Trip

This weekend, I took Benjamin & Emma on their very first backpacking trip!  I have been looking forward to this for a long time:  the day when I could take my own kids into the wilderness overnight.  For their first trip, we went to the North Fork of Big Pine Creek and hiked in 1 mile where we camped.

[caption id="attachment_338" align="alignnone" width="315" caption="Trailhead of Big Pine Creek - North Fork"][/caption]

We purchased a junior size backpack and junior size 30 degree sleeping bag for Benjamin, which should last him until he is about 14 years old or so.  Benjamin carried all of his own gear:  sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, water, and flashlight.  His total pack weight was 15 lbs.  Emma carried her water bottle and my 19 degree sleeping bag in my Camelback day-pack, which total weight was 8 lbs.  I carried everything else in my new 80-liter pack which weighed in at 43 lbs, but didn't feel that bad and the weight distributed well.  I already like this new pack much better than my old one.

[caption id="attachment_340" align="alignnone" width="420" caption="Kimblers, Cannons, and Turners at the Trailhead"][/caption]

We went with 3 families with kids in alike ages:  the Cannons, the Turners, and ourselves.  The kids really enjoyed the company of other kids and spent lots of time playing and talking.

The trail starts in desert-like terrain, but has magnificent views of the palisades.  The one mile to camp took less than 1 hour.  Emma struggled with her 8 lbs, but Benjamin acted like his weight was no big deal.

[caption id="attachment_342" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="View of Palisades"][/caption]

 

Our campsite was fortunate enough to have picnic tables and fire rings already in place.  So we were able to have a campfire and roast marshmallows!  The campsite was also right next to some large boulders that the kids must have spent hours climbing on and a creek that was a little too close but only claimed 2 wet feet out of the whole group!

[caption id="attachment_343" align="alignnone" width="463" caption="Camp near First Falls"][/caption]

Friday afternoon after setting up camp, we headed up the South Fork of Big Pine Creek for a couple miles.  On the way, we ran into a snake that hissed at us (not sure what kind of snake, still working on figuring that out).  When we reached the snow, we had some snowball fights and I made a snow-angel that chilled me to the bone.

[caption id="attachment_344" align="alignnone" width="463" caption="Hike up South Fork Big Pine Creek"][/caption]

On Saturday, we headed up the North Fork of Big Pine Creek.  There, we saw Second Falls which was very large, and stopped at Lon Chaney's cabin that is now used by the Forest Service.  At the cabin we had lunch and played in the water and watched the trout try to swim upstream.

[caption id="attachment_345" align="alignnone" width="463" caption="North Fork Big Pine Creek"][/caption]

It was a lot of fun to hike with great friends!

[caption id="attachment_346" align="alignnone" width="600" caption="Good Looking Hikers!"][/caption]

Emma and I hung out a lot, so we have extra pictures of her and I! I think Emma talked non-stop with me. Benjamin also did great and spent lots of time playing with his friends. He also talked non-stop to his friend Mackay. On the drive home I asked both of them what their favorite part was of the trip. Emma said "everything!", and Benjamin said "I don't know". I'll translate that into the trip was a success!

Emma and Dad