NEED YOUR HELP

“My husband and I are planning a camping trip (tent) with a 4-year-old. We have very different capabilities and camping desires between the three of us. We really need some advice, and very soon, about where to go!

The facts:
1. We'll only have about three days. We're leaving March 25th.
2. We want to stay in South Carolina if possible, since our time is so limited.
3. Hubby is in pretty good shape and really wants to climb to the top of a mountain. He wants to go to Table Rock; he went there as a child and has good memories of it.
4. Our 4-year-old is strong and energetic, but I'm not sure she can make it to the top. It's been 23 years since I've been to Table Rock, but I remember sweating.
5. I'm in fair physical condition and don't mind hiking, but I don't want to end up carting an exhausted preschooler, either.

SO: Is there a particular trail or campground that offers a mountaintop experience in South Carolina that's not too strenuous for a 4-year-old?

I've been reading about Paris Mountain, Carrick Creek Trail, Raven Rock (which sounds kind of steep for a child), Natural Bridge Nature Trail, Raven Cliff Falls Trail ... and, of course, Table Rock itself.

I'd love to hear some comments from anyone who's ever hiked with a child, especially!!!

Thanks.”

“Isn't Table Rock in NC?”

“my only advice is to remember that IMHO, while a 4 year old may be energetic, you sure don't want to be in position to carry them when they get bored or tired. I would stay close to the trailhead until you have your daughter is clearly able and willing to make longer hikes.”

“When my daughter was 4, I took her on a 1.2 mile nature trail near our home. I had to carry her a little bit of the way, even though it was an easy trail. She's worked up though, last fall I took her on an easy 3.5 mile trail, and she did fine with a lunch break in the middle. The biggest problem was boredom. (Are we there yet?)”

“This website may help. I wish I was more familiar with South Carolina. I am pretty familiar with 4 year olds and any hike that lasts more than an hour is going to result in a lot of carrying. You have to really work them up to it gradually. You don't have time for that. Best to plan something like a base camp for you and the little one so hubby can go 'bag his mountain' and plan some short dayhiking for the two of you together or for all three of you when he gets back. I hope that helps.”

“Took a four year old hiking and camping 2 summers ago. He walked four miles one day. It was a real challenge to keep him interested. We watched the ground for bugs, flowers and chipmunks. He was carried quite a bit. We had three adults to share the work parts. Might want to choose someplace you can make camp anywhere you please. Then you don't have to worry about how far ya get in a day. Also, beware the cathole! Our nephew hated going in a hole so much he was poohing his pants instead. Good luck and have fun!!”

“My little boy witch is just about 3 hiked 3 1/2 miles w/out a problem.

aJust let them go at there own pace ? ya right bring a pack for if or when they need to be carried, they'll be fine. I am so glad to take my child on trips at his age.”

“I've been taking my granddaughter camping since she was 18mos. Boredom has never been an issue, quite the opposite, our problem is moving along because she's so interested in everything, rocks, bugs, leaves, twigs, and she stuffs my pockets full. We once hiked a couple hundrend feet to a bridge where we spent two hours dropping leaves off one side and watching them come out the other.

Last year at 2 1/2, she carried her knapsack with water, snack and jacket, and learned to read the map at the arboretum. She mimicked bird calls and hoped she could see a deer so she could pet it - she doesn't understand "wild" yet, has only seen deer at the animal farm.

I'm not sure how far she can hike in terms of mileage and I don't care, we just go along until it feels like time to go back. I'm glad she loves the whole camping/hiking thing and don't want to ruin it by making it goal oriented. I thought I might include her on a backpacking trip to Chimney Pond this summer (she'll be 3 1/2 and it's 3.3 miles) but I think that's pushing it. I am taking her on a kayak camping trip to get her used to the idea of backpacking. She already loves the kayak, lean-tos, sleeping bags, cooking on the fire...

I don't allow the kids to bring along any toys other than maybe a ball, and usually we're too busy with camping/hiking/exploring things to toss it around. I do make the older kids do some hikes they'd rather not do, but they're always glad after they've seen a moose or a picher plant or fallen in whatever stream we happen to be crossing. At night they beg me to tell stories of my past camping trips - the same stories over and over, and now they fill in if I leave anything out. Other hikers are amazed that my nephew climbs Katahdin.

I bought a 3 room, 8 person tent so all 6 kids and I can camp out on the farm this year - can't wait!

Um, anyway, to answer your question, let your husband bag his peak and you and the kid go on a hike at your own pace.”