Originally posted by Bkgphoto
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Kid friendly backpacking recommendation?
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Originally posted by Bkgphoto View PostIt looks like Putnam pond relies on camping at the state campground. Can you recommend a loop that would be more wilderness somewhere in the 5-7 mile a day over 3 days?
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Justin's advice and local knowledge is excellent, and he's been at it way longer than I have!
I have 3 kids, all have birthdays over the summer and will be 10, 12 and 12 this year. What's good for one is not necessarily good for another. My older boy is good for basically unlimited backcountry time and just doesn't get bored (or tired), for whom a loop around the West Canadas wasn't that hard. In fact, he was itching for a few more days after being out 5 days last summer. The other two kids would have had enough after 3 day max.
The problem with the West Canadas is that there are no bail out opportunities. If you over commit kids, you run the risk of not only misery in the present, but you can also sour them to the activity permanently. Also, in my experience, kids generally won't care if you do a loop or an out-and-back. They will be more likely to notice the little things, like counting newts or checking out the cool bridge, tree roots or erratics, and won't mind seeing the same stuff again from the other direction.
Note also that in many many trips of all sizes with all ages of kids, with scouts, friends, my own kids, etc, MOST trips don't run as per my original itinerary and many trips have had us bailing out to some degree. Building in that option is always a good idea imo. And be willing to execute a bail out if even a little misery occurs, you'll be surprised to find that the trip will still be good and memories will follow years later anyway.
Edit add: the way to make an out and back more pleasant is to have some sort of terminal activity at the turn. Turning after an overnight, lunch, view or swim is a good way to do it.
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There are leeches in most Adirondack lakes and streams. I have even found them inside my wader boots when taking stocking foot waders off after stream fishing. What you want to avoid are the muddy areas with lots of detritus from the trees on the bottom, this is their habitat. Find a sandy bottomed area or beach and they should not be a major problem. IF you do pick up a couple , they can be very good bait!
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Originally posted by Justin View PostJust curious and I’m definitely no one to judge what anyone does with their child but I’m just wondering if the 22 mile French loop through the West Canadas is the best option for a ten year old during the height of deer fly season...?
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The only way to avoid bugs is to hike in October and November...
Agreed on the 'it depends on the kid' comments. I have 2 that could not be more different when it comes to dealing with when the fun meter is pegged on No Fun, at least on the kid scale.
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Originally posted by 2505 View PostThe only way to avoid bugs is to hike in October and November...
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Originally posted by Justin View PostThe loop around Putnam Pond (also known as Putts Pond) is about 6 miles, passing Clear Pond, Rock Pond, Little Rock Pond, North Pond (an extension of Putnam Pond), and Heart Pond. Grizzle Ocean is also nearby, and there’s the trail to Treadway Mountain which has fantastic views. There are lean-tos at Grizzle Ocean, Clear Pond, Rock Pond, and Little Rock Pond, as well as several nice tent sites to choose from. The old mine ruins & cave near the north end of Rock Pond are fun to explore, and the 300 foot waterfall along Rock Pond Brook is not to be missed. Shoot me a pm & I’ll send you a map I have.
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Originally posted by Justin View PostAs a young kid I had a lot of fun hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, skiing, snowshoeing & exploring in the Pharaoh region. Still do at 42.
Last edited by Bkgphoto; 07-06-2019, 03:43 PM.
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I just got back from 4 days in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness. I went in from the southern approach and, at Justin's suggestion, visited Crab (Little Crab) Pond. Very intimate and secluded. As Justin has said, the site is small with room for one tent (I had no problem since I hammock camp). The trail in was fine except for multiple blowdowns at the first wet area that made crossing it somewhat difficult. I found the main problem with the site is access to good water. There's a lot of stuff floating in the pond and there's at least one resident beaver. I ended up walking back a little ways on the trail to a stream with clean water. I then went on to Pharaoh (east shore) trail and camped at the designated site between leantos 1 and 2. Although just off the trail, is a great site, right on the water, which made swimming and launching my pack raft easy. The only negative about camping there was the noisy, inconsiderate people camped at leanto #5; their constant calling out to each other and loud talking almost got me to move, but then I figured you have to expect this when camping at a popular spot in mid-summer. I was going to head to Whortleberry Pond for a couple of nights, but the weather turned for the worse and I couldn't locate the path to it. In both locations, the bugs were not bad. Surprisingly, I had no problem with mosquitoes or deer flies at Crab; only a problem with mosquitoes at Pharaoh in the evening when the wind died down. I never used the headnet and bug jacket that I brought; the Permethrin-treated clothing and a little repellent would do the trick."Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing."
- Henry David Thoreau
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