Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 24, 2015 - 10:39am PT
|
I'll be in the valley Thursday and Friday with my grand niece from Indiana who has never been to California or the mountains before. Anybody have kid fun ideas? I find kids are usually bored with touristing and want to do or see something they don't expect.
Thanks in advance.
|
|
Mungeclimber
Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:41am PT
|
Indian Caves?
|
|
climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
|
Climb trees and rocks.. get muddy, chase lizards, catch butterflys. Cathedral or Sentinel beach is a nice spot to do some of that.
|
|
looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:52am PT
|
Timely thread. I might be taking my 6 year old niece in a couple weeks, and was just considering options beyond a bit of Swan Slab TRing. If I hit on anything I'll share it, otherwise I'll just keep monitoring this thread for ideas.
Any short (<1 mile) class 2 scrambles with a good top out? Like a step down from Sierra Point?
|
|
kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 10:57am PT
|
I'm sure she'd be stoked to see a bear.
|
|
climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
|
Lot easier to come up with stuff like that for tuoulumne. Bit early still unfortunately.
|
|
Banquo
climber
Amerricka
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 11:01am PT
|
One idea is to walk her over to the base of the nose. It is pretty amazing how few people walk over there.
|
|
CCT
Trad climber
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 11:49am PT
|
Kids that age don't need anything formal. Climbing up a rock near the campsite is plenty good enough. The Mist Trail hike was a 5-star experience when I was a young'un, and we didn't even have to get to the top.
If it's open and considered safe now, that rockfall zone under the death slabs on the south side of Mirror Lake could make for some fun exploring.
|
|
Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 12:36pm PT
|
Don't forget to give her a tour of the Dirtbag Zoo.
Feeding time is best, of course.
"This is what happens to you when you lose yer way in life."
|
|
Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 12:52pm PT
|
Acorn grinding rocks at the corner of the Ahwahnee parking lot where the trail to Serenity/Royal Arches leaves the parking lot.
Slick low rocks at start of trail to Lower Yosemite Falls
El Cap Meadow/ sand bar
|
|
cragnshag
Social climber
san joser
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:05pm PT
|
Before you head out to the Valley, bring her by to climb on Emory's new climbing wall (thx Clint!). She can also zoom across the yard on the zipline or swing like a monkey on the gym rings.
You can borrow the trail-a-bike (third wheel that allows the kid to pedal also) and the Petzl kid harness. Lil' e loves biking around the Valley Floor. Bonus points if you can pedal the kid up the steep hill to the crapper at Mirror Lake.
Swan SLab has some good low angle stuff to TR. Nearby over at the Lower Falls walkway about 400' from the bathrooms there are 2 big boulders with low angle romps to the top. The kids climb up and then slide down on their bums.
There is a jr Ranger program (1.5 hours long or so) offered by the NPS, check local listings when you arrive.
|
|
Rhodo-Router
Gym climber
sawatch choss
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:13pm PT
|
Walk up Eagle Creek (it's an easy boulder field)
Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach.
|
|
Clint Cummins
Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 01:31pm PT
|
Sunnyside Bench and waterfall via east-side hike approach. Only if you tie the kid in.
There are some exposed sections where if you make a false step, you die if unroped.
|
|
the Fet
climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:07pm PT
|
Happy Isles is great for kids.
The quick hikes to Lower Yosemite and/or Bridaveil Falls are great.
The Indian village behind the post office, and visitor center with the model of the valley.
Probably too cold for floating down the Merced, but that's my favorite thing with kids. Buy some cheap rafts at Big 5 or rent if it's open.
Rent bikes as mentioned.
Get a drink from Fern Spring (explain how you can't drink safely out of a stream). Or soak your feet in the cold water after a hike.
Hike up four mile trail as far as you want. It's on the shady side of the valley.
Aid climb up Le Conte boulder then setup a rope swing on it for the kids.
|
|
c wilmot
climber
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:19pm PT
|
Arch rock has that cool split rock/island thing near it. It will likely be private, has a cool rock feature, and is kind of offbeat. Just watch out for the Oak
|
|
Paul Martzen
Trad climber
Fresno
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 02:53pm PT
|
Kids that age will keep themselves fabulously entertained with sticks and pine cones and little boulders and creeks. Figure out how to keep yourself entertained with those same things and you and she will have a great time.
At the beginning of the lower Yosemite Falls Trail, there are a bunch of low boulders that often attract lots of kids. You can spot her on mini boulders. A little further are boulders to crawl under. Bring several flashlights. Eventually you might make it all the way to the bridge to feel the wind and mist from the falls.
Find things to explore in your immediate vicinity, like walking on logs, rolling pine cones, poking yourself with pine needles, playing with rocks. You never know for sure what will grab her attention, but have fun with anything that does.
|
|
Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:03pm PT
|
In the Valley proper the Indian Village and inside display is very cool and she can learn about the history of the Valley/Tuolumne Indians Ahwahnechee/Miwok. I loved learning about the Indian culture when I was her age.
Are you camping? It would be awesome for her to make pancakes with you on a cook stove. At age 6 she will have fun if you take time and patience to unfold the glory of the Valley to her. She will never forget it. Take pictures. Cheers, lynnie
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:04pm PT
|
Nose in a day? She'll remember that....
|
|
looks easy from here
climber
Ben Lomond, CA
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:08pm PT
|
In a day? Nah, then she misses out on sleeping on a ledge in the sky. I say stick her in a pig and haul her up.
|
|
survival
Big Wall climber
Terrapin Station
|
|
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:09pm PT
|
Right, you're definitely right. Bivy is much better!
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|