Hikes with kids?

indigo91804 · May 2011

Does anybody have any good hikes with kids? Thanks!

StellaZ · May 2011

We don't really "hike" but some great trails are...

*Kubota Gardens (super flat simple "trails", fun to explore)
*Camp Long (West Seattle - easy but some steeper grades, fun to explore)
*Ravenna Park (underrated local park with fun easy trails)
*Snoqualmie Falls (semi steep hike down to bottom)
*Tiger Mountain (more woodsy, some steep)
*Deception Pass (Little North Beach, island, woodsy, great views)
*Marymere Falls (Port Angeles) was fabulous!
*Wallace Falls

JDCSKF · May 2011

If we still lived up north, I would take DD on this one every year:

https://www.localhikes.com/Hikes/Monte_Cristo_7602.asp

It's long but EASY and wide and lots of things to explore on the way. I remember seeing a lot of people on bikes when we went. Monte Cristo itself is fun to explore since it's an old mining camp.

indigo91804 · May 2011

Yay! Thanks guys! I think I've done the Monte Cristo with my aunt and uncle at one time. The one at Marymere Falls looks fun too but it is going to be for Memorial Day weekend and we don't want to go over west and deal with ferry traffic.

I've printed them all out though to keep in the "later in the summer when we have a day to do something" file.

doublem · May 2011

This book is fantastic! It gives distances, difficulty levels, elevation gained, tells about scenic views, bathroom access, time of year to go/avoid...all the info someone might want about taking kids/babies hiking.

kristalovesjared · May 2011

doublem:
This book is fantastic! It gives distances, difficulty levels, elevation gained, tells about scenic views, bathroom access, time of year to go/avoid...all the info someone might want about taking kids/babies hiking.

I was going to mention this book too!

CDMay2006 · May 2011

kristalovesjared:
doublem:
This book is fantastic! It gives distances, difficulty levels, elevation gained, tells about scenic views, bathroom access, time of year to go/avoid...all the info someone might want about taking kids/babies hiking.
I was going to mention this book too!

That's what i came in to post, too -- it's a good one (really easy to tell how strenuous the hike is, lists trail highlights, good directions, etc.).

indigo91804 · May 2011

CDMay2006:
kristalovesjared:
doublem:
This book is fantastic! It gives distances, difficulty levels, elevation gained, tells about scenic views, bathroom access, time of year to go/avoid...all the info someone might want about taking kids/babies hiking.
I was going to mention this book too!
That's what i came in to post, too -- it's a good one (really easy to tell how strenuous the hike is, lists trail highlights, good directions, etc.).

Awesome! I'm going to get it on my kindle. :-) Thanks!

KRoseToes · May 2011

DH and I went a couple of years ago on a hike to Franklin Falls also went to Denny Creek that same day. We both were talking about how great the hikes would be to bring kids on. The great thing about both trails is that there is wonderful water to go swimming in on a hot day. the Washington Trails Association both say they're family-friendly hikes (because we don't have kids yet, it may be hard to trust just us!) I would definitely go on a hot day in August so you guys can play in the water!

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/denny-creek

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/franklin-falls

EllaB_04 · May 2011

We love Twin Falls, which is near North Bend. It follows a river for a while, and ends at a beautiful waterfall. It's nice and easy, and not very long.

theresab · May 2011

EllaB_04:
We love Twin Falls, which is near North Bend. It follows a river for a while, and ends at a beautiful waterfall. It's nice and easy, and not very long.

Yup, Twin Falls is great - some ups and downs but not too difficult. It can get busy so we like to go early.

Your kids are a bit older so I would say they could probably do Rattlesnake Ledge hike too. But you really have to watch them at the top because it is a cliff. (nice for a picnic though) We've taken my 5 year old nephew before and aside from falling on the trail down, he did fine. The lake is also a nice area for picnic, wading, etc. The Cedar Falls Watershed Information center has some nice exhibits too. (same parking lot, near the lake)

doublem · May 2011

theresab:
EllaB_04:
We love Twin Falls, which is near North Bend. It follows a river for a while, and ends at a beautiful waterfall. It's nice and easy, and not very long.

Yup, Twin Falls is great - some ups and downs but not too difficult. It can get busy so we like to go early.

Your kids are a bit older so I would say they could probably do Rattlesnake Ledge hike too. But you really have to watch them at the top because it is a cliff. (nice for a picnic though) We've taken my 5 year old nephew before and aside from falling on the trail down, he did fine. The lake is also a nice area for picnic, wading, etc. The Cedar Falls Watershed Information center has some nice exhibits too. (same parking lot, near the lake)

Oh, I just took my class to the Cedar River Education Center and Rattlesnake Lake for a field trip last week. I can't wait to go back on a nice day this summer with E! The walk around the lake is mostly paved, so even a stroller could go there. There is a cool water feature at the center that makes water drip onto drums to make music, which my fifth graders (and all the adults) found fascinating. I think babies/kids would love it!

KNemo · May 2011

KRoseToes:

DH and I went a couple of years ago on a hike to Franklin Falls also went to Denny Creek that same day. We both were talking about how great the hikes would be to bring kids on. The great thing about both trails is that there is wonderful water to go swimming in on a hot day. the Washington Trails Association both say they're family-friendly hikes (because we don't have kids yet, it may be hard to trust just us!) I would definitely go on a hot day in August so you guys can play in the water!

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/denny-creek

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/franklin-falls

Although Franklin is a great hike, I don't think I would do it right now. Snoqualmie River is really high, and the trail to Franklin can get pretty treacherous when the river is elevated.

Another awesome hike in the Snoqualmie area is Rattlesnake Ridge. That is one of my favorite hikes, and the view at the top of the ridge is ridiculous!

coribecca · May 2011

This one is short and easy: https://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003606469_nwwwalkabout08.html

indigo91804 · May 2011

KNemo:
KRoseToes:

DH and I went a couple of years ago on a hike to Franklin Falls also went to Denny Creek that same day. We both were talking about how great the hikes would be to bring kids on. The great thing about both trails is that there is wonderful water to go swimming in on a hot day. the Washington Trails Association both say they're family-friendly hikes (because we don't have kids yet, it may be hard to trust just us!) I would definitely go on a hot day in August so you guys can play in the water!
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/denny-creek
https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/franklin-falls

Although Franklin is a great hike, I don't think I would do it right now. Snoqualmie River is really high, and the trail to Franklin can get pretty treacherous when the river is elevated.
Another awesome hike in the Snoqualmie area is Rattlesnake Ridge. That is one of my favorite hikes, and the view at the top of the ridge is ridiculous!

good to know. Is it treacherous for adults or would you just not take little ones on it?

KNemo · May 2011

indigo91804:
KNemo:
KRoseToes:

DH and I went a couple of years ago on a hike to Franklin Falls also went to Denny Creek that same day. We both were talking about how great the hikes would be to bring kids on. The great thing about both trails is that there is wonderful water to go swimming in on a hot day. the Washington Trails Association both say they're family-friendly hikes (because we don't have kids yet, it may be hard to trust just us!) I would definitely go on a hot day in August so you guys can play in the water!

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/denny-creek

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/franklin-falls

Although Franklin is a great hike, I don't think I would do it right now. Snoqualmie River is really high, and the trail to Franklin can get pretty treacherous when the river is elevated.

Another awesome hike in the Snoqualmie area is Rattlesnake Ridge. That is one of my favorite hikes, and the view at the top of the ridge is ridiculous!

good to know. Is it treacherous for adults or would you just not take little ones on it?

We went when the river was still really high a few years ago and it was pretty wet and slippery for our group. One of the girls slipped and fell pretty hard (scraped knee and chin). It would be a great hike for later in the summer. It is really gorgeous.

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

coribecca:
This one is short and easy: https://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outdoors/2003606469_nwwwalkabout08.html

We've done this one before... it's a fun little walk in the woods. It takes no time at all though... I need to look at trail maps for the other trails around there to see what would be worth adding on to make it more of a worthwhile trip next time.

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

I've been told this is a good one, but I haven't been on it...

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/coal-creek-falls

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

ooh I just found this article on three perfect hikes for kids:

https://www.parentmap.com/content/view/1247

Seattle_JiLLn · May 2011

sorry for all of the crazy posts... here's another one I've had my eye on.

https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/grand-canyon-of-fifteenmile-creek

I did a search on Issaquah Alps, less than 3 miles and less than 500 feet elevation. This one looks like it's straight, not a loop. I dont' know if it's 1.5 miles round trip or one way.

StellaZ · May 2011

It's funny - I use my "Hiking with Dogs" books for the same reasons - it gives length and elevations too.

I made a Pinterest Board for all these now to keep track...Grady's favorite word now is "OUTSIDE!"

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