percious
Well-known member
Last weekend I found some time and took the boy out for his second backpacking trip. After a miserable rainy weekend in the 'dax a few weeks ago, I figured he would be up for something a little more mellow and enjoyable. The weather forcast for CT was good, so I headed up to Southern Vermont without even checking.
We arrived at the Trailhead for the LT/AT precisely at Colden's nap time, but he was too excited to sleep, insisting that we hike instead of him taking a rest. Not 10 minutes down the trail in his zealousness he took a 4 corners spill, in front of a friendly caretaker who was working on the trail. I brushed him off, and gave him a hug, he went on his way. I knew it was going to be a tough trek though.
We crossed an interesting bridge created by taking a large I-beam and turning it sideways. Colden was particularly enjoying the series of small cascades that lined the trail. Soon the caretaker caught up with us and chatted with us for a bit before she moved ahead.
The smooth trail became more and more rugged, which was quite a challenge for the over-tired 3 year old. He held my hand as we made our way through the rough rocks, with dispersed mud. We soon reached a point where the trail had been flooded by the handywork of local beavers. The trail was redirected nicely around it. It was not long before we reached Lula Tye shelter, and I took out Colden's pad and sleeping bag.
At the shelter a weary Southbounder slumbered while Colden and I wispered. I tried to get my three year old to sleep in vain, and the AT hiker chatted us up a bit before shoving off. He had a thick southern accent. Colden finally took a good nap after he left. I sat and read Hemmingway.
The caretaker returned to the shelter and we talked for a bit, Colden and I then went over to the nearby water supply and for a quick swim before returning. A few more Southbounders had arrived, and we all had dinner together before an early bedtime.
It was very cold for me with my fleece sleeping bag, dipping into the fourties overnight. Colden slept comfortably in his bag. I got up when the AT hiker's alarm went off and made a warm bottle of tea, returning to bed. It was too late, Colden was ready to get moving, so we started our day with some oatmeal in bed. The ATers took off, and Colden and I headed out to circumnavigate Little Rock Pond, an excellent adventure for a 3 year old.
The pond was steaming in the cold morning air, the water temperature was very high. It was not long before we reached the top of the rocks on the far side of a pond. A father-son team caught up with us, and we talked for a while while we hiked towards the large beaver lodge at the north end of the pond. We crossed the bridge, parting ways at a small cliff that I was interested in checking out for bouldering capabilities.
Colden climbed up, and we explored the woods at the top before heading to Little Rock Pond Shelter Via a short bushwhack. We quickly reached the shelter, and Colden waited with a Cliff bar while I took care of my business. I wish all privy's were as nice as Vermont LT ones are.
We carried back to Lula Tye to retrieve our gear and head out. Colden had already hiked 2 miles! The hike out was interrupted by a few conversations with some Northbounders. I don't know why, but I really like talking to AT hikers, who's free spirit allows them to experience so much in so little time. I probably like it because part of me envy's them.
Along the way we were approached by two unleased dogs, one of which jumped on me, and finally Colden, scratching his face before the owner called him off. The dog was just being playful, but I should have picked up Colden so that he would not get jumped on. The man left with little more than an "I'm sorry" and myself and a crying 3 year old worked on the last .5 miles, which was pretty tough under the circumstances. Colden finished out the hike, and I warned others of the unleashed dogs, including two families with small children.
Little Rock pond is an excellent family-friendly place and I recommend it to anyone with small children. If you want to get them into backpacking, and they are finally on their own two feet, it may be a good challenge. Please use a leash if you bring your dog here.
-percious
We arrived at the Trailhead for the LT/AT precisely at Colden's nap time, but he was too excited to sleep, insisting that we hike instead of him taking a rest. Not 10 minutes down the trail in his zealousness he took a 4 corners spill, in front of a friendly caretaker who was working on the trail. I brushed him off, and gave him a hug, he went on his way. I knew it was going to be a tough trek though.
We crossed an interesting bridge created by taking a large I-beam and turning it sideways. Colden was particularly enjoying the series of small cascades that lined the trail. Soon the caretaker caught up with us and chatted with us for a bit before she moved ahead.
The smooth trail became more and more rugged, which was quite a challenge for the over-tired 3 year old. He held my hand as we made our way through the rough rocks, with dispersed mud. We soon reached a point where the trail had been flooded by the handywork of local beavers. The trail was redirected nicely around it. It was not long before we reached Lula Tye shelter, and I took out Colden's pad and sleeping bag.
At the shelter a weary Southbounder slumbered while Colden and I wispered. I tried to get my three year old to sleep in vain, and the AT hiker chatted us up a bit before shoving off. He had a thick southern accent. Colden finally took a good nap after he left. I sat and read Hemmingway.
The caretaker returned to the shelter and we talked for a bit, Colden and I then went over to the nearby water supply and for a quick swim before returning. A few more Southbounders had arrived, and we all had dinner together before an early bedtime.
It was very cold for me with my fleece sleeping bag, dipping into the fourties overnight. Colden slept comfortably in his bag. I got up when the AT hiker's alarm went off and made a warm bottle of tea, returning to bed. It was too late, Colden was ready to get moving, so we started our day with some oatmeal in bed. The ATers took off, and Colden and I headed out to circumnavigate Little Rock Pond, an excellent adventure for a 3 year old.
The pond was steaming in the cold morning air, the water temperature was very high. It was not long before we reached the top of the rocks on the far side of a pond. A father-son team caught up with us, and we talked for a while while we hiked towards the large beaver lodge at the north end of the pond. We crossed the bridge, parting ways at a small cliff that I was interested in checking out for bouldering capabilities.
Colden climbed up, and we explored the woods at the top before heading to Little Rock Pond Shelter Via a short bushwhack. We quickly reached the shelter, and Colden waited with a Cliff bar while I took care of my business. I wish all privy's were as nice as Vermont LT ones are.
We carried back to Lula Tye to retrieve our gear and head out. Colden had already hiked 2 miles! The hike out was interrupted by a few conversations with some Northbounders. I don't know why, but I really like talking to AT hikers, who's free spirit allows them to experience so much in so little time. I probably like it because part of me envy's them.
Along the way we were approached by two unleased dogs, one of which jumped on me, and finally Colden, scratching his face before the owner called him off. The dog was just being playful, but I should have picked up Colden so that he would not get jumped on. The man left with little more than an "I'm sorry" and myself and a crying 3 year old worked on the last .5 miles, which was pretty tough under the circumstances. Colden finished out the hike, and I warned others of the unleashed dogs, including two families with small children.
Little Rock pond is an excellent family-friendly place and I recommend it to anyone with small children. If you want to get them into backpacking, and they are finally on their own two feet, it may be a good challenge. Please use a leash if you bring your dog here.
-percious
