Ideas for a 6 yo in Yosemite

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Jones in LA

Mountain climber
Tarzana, California
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:17pm PT
Be sure to make some time to hang out with the Big Trees!

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/sequoias.htm


Rich Jones
Lynne Leichtfuss

Trad climber
Will know soon
Mar 24, 2015 - 03:21pm PT
With the expertise here at the campfire we should start some kiddo guide books. The ideas here are truly awesome, even better than Lonely Planet.
le_bruce

climber
Oakland, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 04:14pm PT
Our girl is six, we take her up to the Valley a bunch, these were some big hits:

-Walk and picnic up in the Ribbon Falls Amp (6 y.o.'s are better walkers than we give 'em credit for)
-Three or so bolted, juggy routes at Pat and Jack around Mikaela's climb
-Mist-->Nevada
-Up Tenaya Cyn as far as they can make it, staying on the south side. There are some lovely spots up past the Snow Crk break
-Heat some chocolate in the forest by the falls at night - cool night spot full of sounds and critters/bugs
-Explore around the Crimson/Fish area, lots of neat pools and caves and scrambles, plus good tree climbing especially on the huuuuuge old oaks over there
-Bike from EC bridge down to Fern on the wooded path that passes beneath the Cathedrals, add in the 5 min detour to the base proper (ed: the kid bikes, we jog along with her w/o bikes and hold on to her pigtails for dear life on some of the downhills. biking isn't allowed on those paths, which we've taken to mean no adult bikes, but we may be off on that)
-Walk the road out to Little Wing area, quiet, sunny, good views
-Ice skating at Curry, though that'll likely be gone
-Build huts and villages at any quiet sandy beach along the river
-Night walks, any night walks

Adding Nutella sandwiches somewhere in the middle of all of the above is a huge booster.

Have fun!
Banquo

climber
Amerricka
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 05:10pm PT
Thanks, lots of great ideas so far, keep em coming. I have no idea if she can ride a bike but I can ask. I do agree that the best thing is to simply let a kid play and explore as much as is possible and is safe. I had thought of Ribbon Falls because that is such a cool place and I'm sure I could get her up there but I have to also contend with the abilities of her grandmother (sister in law) and great aunt (wife) who will be there. I don't think there will be any climbing gear on this trip.

Bob- I doubt the schedule will allow a visit as it is pretty tight. They have a lot planned. They toured the San Mateo coast today and are spending the night in Santa Cruz.

KabalaArch

Trad climber
Starlite, California
Mar 24, 2015 - 05:43pm PT
TR Goblet?

I think 'Lainey followed Monday Morning when she was 6 or 7
the Fet

climber
Tu-Tok-A-Nu-La
Mar 24, 2015 - 05:51pm PT
Roasting marshmallows and or s'mores are one of my kids favorites things about camping.

If NIAD is too much do east ledges. Just tie her in separately and put her in a backpack. Seems like the way to do it.
Banquo

climber
Amerricka
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 24, 2015 - 06:28pm PT
A 6 yo might think the balanced rocks at mirror lake were cool.
susu

Trad climber
East Bay, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 09:49pm PT
http://www.yosemitepark.com/kid-attractions.aspx

Picnic by the water, find out games she likes and figure out a way to play them or something like them outside,... roasting marshmallows (even in the Mountain Room Bar if the fireplace is going), and probably only really short hikes.I also vote for Happy Isles with a quick look in the tourist center there to learn about animals. Also, I once checked out the schoolyard and thought what an amazing view of Yosemite Falls kids get there. Isn't there a swing set there? If you bring her near the climbing cliffs, should she have a helmet? Climbing something out of the question?

Addded - WOW... typing this on my phone took so long there's been many posts that pretty much preempt mine. Or rather, I must have missed reading the whole next page of posts which are so good. Anyway, Enjoy!
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Mar 24, 2015 - 09:58pm PT
The Cemetery is kind of cool.

Maybe too creepy for a 6 year old though!
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Mar 26, 2015 - 02:51pm PT
Something I'm going to keep in my pocket for my niece if we're cruising around the Lower Falls area and she's feeling bold is the 3rd class gully at the start of Sunnyside. It has rock on each side, so as long as someone's downhill it's super secure for a kid, but still a pretty good adventure, and there's a good ledge at the top for a Capri Sun and banana chip break that is, iirc, above the tree level-always an awesome view!
Steve Grossman

Trad climber
Seattle, WA
Mar 26, 2015 - 03:28pm PT
If you have the time to drive up to Glacier Point and take in the Mariposa Grove of giant Sequoias her mind will be blown. The Tuolumne Grove is more of a walk and so a bit less kid friendly. Big trees and big views...hard to go wrong there.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Mar 27, 2015 - 11:36am PT
Just saw this posted in the Tioga Road opening thread:

http://yubanet.com/regional/Glacier-Point-Road-in-Yosemite-National-Park-to-Open-Tomorrow-Saturday-March-28-2015.php

Opens up some options: Taft Point, Sentinel Dome.
Banquo

climber
Amerricka
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 28, 2015 - 10:15am PT
So here is how it played out.

She had spent the whole week in the bay area do SF, seeing the elephant seals, Santa Cruz, Monterey Aquarium, Climbing at PG, etc. and was getting pretty worn down. On Friday morning we visited my daughter's work in Palo Alto and then drove up 120. We stopped at Priest Station for burgers. Approaching the valley we stopped to take photos and they decided they wanted to go to Tunnel View so we did. We then visited Bridalveil Falls and the tyke thought that was great, especially playing in the creek.

Next we stopped at El Cap Bridge and after a bit I found a party climbing and set up the telephoto lens so she could look through it and get a feel for how big the big stone is. We then hiked up to the base of the nose.

The little legs were getting tired and it was late afternoon so we headed to the Ahwahnee where my wife and sister in law said they had got a room. I turns out it was the Mary Tressider Room on the 6th floor - the Queen's Suite. The tyke headed to the pool and was happy. After dinner in the dining room we all hit the sack. The three ladies in the king size and me on the roll away. I didn't sleep too well due to bursitis on the elbow, plantar fasciitis on the foot and the fact that the Ahwahnee isn't the quietest hotel I've ever stayed in.

Morning eventually came and the girls went down to breakfast while I drank three pots of coffee in the room and then made a deposit in the Queen's porcelain thunder mug. Then back to the pool for the kid and I hit the free coffee on the mezzanine. This was followed by an attempt to walk up to Mirror Lake but the kid was tired, grumpy and couldn't do it. We scrambled on some rocks, looked at the grinding holes and looked for climbers.

Back to the car and lunch at the village grill. The kid was burned out and there was much foot dragging. My sister in law said that she really wanted to see some sequoia trees so I decided to leave via the southern entrance. We drove to Wawona while the kid slept. Checked out the history center, hotel and got snacks and cold drinks at the store.

There were quite a few people at Mariposa Grove but we enjoyed it. We tried to hike up to the museum but by the time we got to the Faithful Couple the kid was out of go again so we went back to the car and headed home.




And, the closest my arse has been to royalty:
phylp

Trad climber
Upland, CA
Mar 28, 2015 - 02:41pm PT
LOL! Great trip report.
Sounds like a good time.
crankster

Trad climber
Mar 28, 2015 - 05:06pm PT
Big trees always impressive. The giant sequoias at Mariposa grove or the smaller groves at Crane Flat.
looks easy from here

climber
Ben Lomond, CA
Mar 28, 2015 - 08:44pm PT
So #1 takeaway is "be flexible!" :D

That shot looking up the Nose is fantastic! I can't believe I've never been there.
Ricky D

Trad climber
Sierra Westside
Mar 28, 2015 - 09:33pm PT
It's been a while since my kids were that age but I do remember how exciting it was for them to see real wildlife up close.

Smear a good sized dollop of peanut butter on their heads and have them play hide and seek in the bushes over by the rock wall say around half an hour after sundown.

Kids and Bears - so many good memories.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
Mar 29, 2015 - 08:02pm PT
Pretty good - thanks for the report!
KabalaArch

Trad climber
Starlite, California
Mar 29, 2015 - 10:32pm PT
I turns out it was the Mary Tressider Room on the 6th floor - the Queen's Suite.

Now THAT's a weird place. J'you check out the other rooms on that penthouse?

The small balcony was added for Queen Elizabeth's visit.

That's when there was that huge release from Elephant. HMS was on it, thankfully!

As you probably noticed, that floor level does not appear at the Lobby or other elevator vomitory stops.

Mystifying place, the Valley...the Sierra, for that matter-

Anyone driven the Pass between Walker and Tioga?
Jones in LA

Mountain climber
Tarzana, California
Mar 30, 2015 - 08:01am PT
I was thrashing around in a cruel groove at the base of El Cap on Thursday, and had my eye out for you guys. Sorry I missed you by a day, glad you got to see the Big Trees!

Her memories of that trip will stay with her for the rest of her life, and you were fortunate enough to be part of it. Good job on the Valley tour, thanks for sharing the photos!



Rich Jones
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