Hiking with Kids : The Basics

Hiking is a great hobby. The benefits are numerous. And while I encourage everyone to do it, hiking with children is a whole other ball game, so to speak. So here are a few things that I recommend you have while hiking with kids in additions to some things that I think are good to know and keep in mind.

First up is our supply list. Somethings are optional, others not as much but still recommended.

1. Water, agua, H2O. Whatever you call it, it is a MUST for hiking, whether with kids or without. I don't have a formula or something to figure out how much water you should bring just simply one word : LOTS. As much as you can reasonably carry. You would much rather have more than you need, then not enough.
Now, how to carry that water?? The most convenient way to carry as much water as easily as possible, in my opinion, is a hydration pack. There are several brands and several different kinds of packs. I suggest you research to decide which is best for you. You can also just carry water in bottles. Just make sure you have it.  And if your kids are too small to carry their own (they make small hydration packs) then you will need to make sure you have enough for you and the child(ren).

2. Shoes. While I do not think that you should invest in a pair of $125 hiking shoes when you plan to hike once, I do think you should utilize proper footwear. Hiking on Oahu can be tricky and slippery, or dry and rough. In my experience heavy hiking shoes are not necessary. Trail running shoes are a great alternative. Trail running shoes are lightweight, but still have great traction, which is the key. You want shoes that can grip different surfaces. Look at the bottoms. If they are pretty smooth, you do not want to use them for hiking.

These are what I use (Terrible pic, I know)

The kiddos' shoes

3. Snacks/lunch: This is optional but if your kids are like mine, they will want a snack. This is especially helpful if the hike is longer. Food is fuel, right. Good snack foods include dried fruits, nuts, jerky, and granola or granola bars. These foods keep in the heat and are great for fuel. :) If you are packing a lunch to picnic during your hike just be aware of the extra weight and I advise against bringing things that can spoil (unless you are hauling a cooler full of ice).

4. First aid kit/supplies: A simple first aid kit can be very handy should the need arise: a scraped knee, bee sting, etc. You can find small kits in either plastic boxes or in waterproof bags that will fit easily in a pack without adding any noticeable weight. You could also put together your own. Bandages, gauze, alcohol wipes, anti-itch, antibiotic ointment, lip balm, sun screen. They are useful. You can also build a more extensive kit, if you like. There are many resources online with lists of supplies that can give you an idea of what to put in there.

5. Bug Spray/Sunscreen: I'm sure you can all see the importance of both of these. I coat us all, and then take the bottles with us to lather up again later. The bug spray has been a necessity for us. I have found that the deep woods varieties work best here, but you can use your best judgement/experience. Also, use sunscreen at your own discretion. A hat works great as well, especially for kids. I have noticed that we tend to coat our bodies and neglect our scalp, therefore we get burned. Not fun. There are also SPF clothes that are useful, but may be too hot for hiking.

6. Extras : This includes anything that you may need or want to have just in case.
       -A small towel
       -Change of clothes, diapers, wipes, underclothes, or even a change in the car for afterwards
       -Compass, Map, GPS, or even an app that tracks where you are going. I like to have an app running to          track the distance, pace and location, etc. You never know.
       -Camera or phone for taking pictures
       -We also usually have a pocket knife in our pack just in case
       -550 cord, survival strap, cordage. Again, because you never know
       -a pack of some kind. The kids have hydration packs but the adults carry packs that have both a hydration reservoir, but also pockets for carrying other things. Either way, you want your hands free, so some sort of pack is needed.
       -Carrier- Since most trails are NOT stroller friendly you may want to have something to carry a little one in. There are many options for this. If not you can always just carry them.



A few things to keep in mind:

1. Know your child(ren)'s limit. You don't want to get to the top of the mountain with three small kids only to have them beyond exhausted and not able to make it back down. And who wants to or can carry three kids down a mountain efficiently?! NOT ME! In addition, you should plan according to their schedule. For instance, a 0300 hike, before breakfast is not kid friendly. However, getting up early, having a decent breakfast and then heading out at 0700 or 0800 is more reasonable. Furthermore, an 8 hour hike probably isn't very doable, but a few hour hike, with a break or two, is!

2. Know your child(ren)'s skill level. And respect their ages. Our two year old is game for about the first mile. After that we know that someone is carrying her if we are going to continue. We plan for that. Our 5 and 6 year olds are game for any hike that we have taken them on, but there are spots that they need our help and they need a break every once in a while. An older kid, maybe 9-12 is a good age. While teenagers may get a little cocky and try to go on their owns. 3-4 year olds are probably the hardest age, in my opinion. They tend to not want to be carried, yet they do not have the stamina to hike nor do they want to pay attention or follow directions, which can cause safety issues.  All that being said, you should not fear taking your kids hiking, as long as you are conscious of their needs.

3. Bathroom stops. I cannot say how to handle this, just recommend that they go BEFORE you start.

As with anything, it's up to you to use your best judgement. All the things I have listed here are just suggestions. Take them or leave them. They are just what works best for us.

Comment if you have anything to add. And Happy Hiking! :)
     
     

Kaelia Trail

You should have no trouble finding the trail, as there are many signs

Kaelia Trail zigzags up the mountains that run behind Dillingham Airfield. This trail starts out very beginning and goes into a more immediate trail further up. It is doable with kids. We took our 2, 5, and 6 year olds and they did great. The two year old even walked the entire first mile before asking to be carried. 

This trail was not my favorite as there is a lot of work and very little payoff, but seeing as we intend to hike every trail that this island has to offer, I am glad we did it. It was right over 4 miles round trip for us, but there are plenty of turning points that I will talk about in a minute, if you do not want to hike that far. 

Once you get to Dillingham Airfield you will see signs for the trail. Continue around the airfield (watching for low flying aircraft)  until you see the trail head. You will have to park in the lot across from the head and not where the trail begins. Parking is free. 

The trail starts out in a clearing with a dirt path. You will see signs marking the trail as well as signs indicating that you should stay on the trail and keep out of certain areas and out of the brush. It is important to always head warnings such as these.

Beginning of the trail

Warning signs

Once you begin your trek up you will notice that the ground, although quite rocky, is still rather smooth and very manage with the gradual incline. 

As you follow the path you will start to literally zigzag up the face of the mountain going through mostly woods. At this point you will not be have a clear vista, but instead you will see many neat boulders and rock formations. It seemed like every few steps we saw another rock that we wanted to photograph. 

You continue on the path, going one direction and then another for a least the first .5 to .75 miles. the you emerge from the woods. It's at this point that you start to get a view of the airfield and further down the island. 

Emerging from the woods

The best view that you will get is still a bit further up the trail. My advice is that you continue on, even if its not too much further. 

You will continue to see more amazing rocks, but the trail does start to become more rugged with areas where you will have to climb up rocks. If you get to this point and have taken in the view, this would be a great place to turn back. The view doesn't change as you go up and once you reach the top you will not be able to get a view out anywhere. I would suggest continuing only if you understand that this spot is the best it gets. Sorry to say. 

Vista from about halfway up

This rock, which looks sort of like a dog or lion from this angle marks a good turning around point.

My husband thinks he is king of the rock

If you do decide to continue on, there is a picnic table at the end of the trail that is great for taking a break or having lunch, if you were crazy enough to haul a cooler up. :) Just kidding. About the crazy part, anyways. 

Picnic Spot

You will signs indicating the you are at the end of the trail. You are able to continue on a ways if you still have energy. The terrain at this point is very smooth, but there are several spots that are pretty steep. My kids wanted to turn back at this point, but we kept going trying to find a great photo-taking spot from the top. To no avail, I must add. We did, however, come to a old water tower, which was pretty cool. 

Old Water Tower

The water tower was very interesting. If had writings from people who had came before, even one from the 1960's. Its amazing to think about people standing in that same spot all those years ago. 

This was the turn around point for us. Of course the trek down was much quicker. Once we got to the bottom and looked up at the mountain we had just climbed it didn't see that big anymore. :)

Not so big anymore....

Happy Hiking! :)

Diamond Head Trail

We did this hike as a morning hike with plans to go snorkeling after (which we did, at Hanauma Bay). We arrived at 0800, but if we go again, I will probably want to get there earlier. It got busy very quickly, as it is a huge tourist spot. 

The trail starts from the parking lot. Parking is $5, so bring cash, or you will have to drive back down the mountain a bit to find an ATM. Or you can walk in and its $1 per person. 

The first portion of the trail is paved, but it does not continue that way, and it is NOT stroller friendly. However, it is kid friendly. We did this as a group and had 4 kids 6 and under. Even my two year old walked a good bit. 

My sweet little hiking girl

Once you zigzag up the mountain a bit you come to a set of stairs and then a part of the path leads through a dark tunnel. My kids thought it was so fun. Once you emerge from the tunnel you see it!! A TON of stairs. 

There is an alternative way up that goes towards the left. We took the stairs and I had jelly legs! LOL After all of those stairs you go through what used to be an old military look out or bunker with, yes, you guessed it. More stairs. 

Lookout

Spiral Staircase

Once you exit the bunker, you will be able to look down to the right and see Waikiki and then scan the rest of the visible island. You can then follow the path to the left and then up just a bit more to the end of the trail. 

View of Waikiki

On a clear day you can see Molokai way off in the distance

Take a few minutes to look around before heading back down the path. There are so many things you can see. Waikiki, a lighthouse, and even Molokai off in the distance. 

A short hike, but a must while on Oahu. Happy Hiking. 

Mariner's Ridge

This hike was my favorite so far. The view from the top was incredible and I will for sure be doing this one again!!

Mariner's Ridge is a hike that leads up to the top of one of the peaks of the Koolau Mountains. The trail begins in a residential area in Hawaii Kai. Please be conscious of the fact that the trail head is in a neighborhood and you should try to be courteous and quiet, especially if going in the early hours of the morning. You will not be able to park right where the trail begins but rather utilize the neighborhood street parking. Please follow all the rules for that or you may end up with a parking ticket or towed. 

Trail Head

As you begin ascending the trail you will see that it is rather friendly. Its fairly smooth and although it ascends moderately, it is definitely doable with children. We took a group with us, 7 of which were children 11 or under. Just up the trail you will be able to look out and see a great view already. This hike has many, many great vantage points, which is part of the reason I enjoyed it so much. It is also rather short, clocking in at about 2.5 miles round trip. But do not be fooled. The moderate ascension more than makes up for its short distance. 

There will be several occasions where you come to clearing with great views. Take a minute to take it all in.

This is the first view we came to, which was not very long after we started. To the right there is a small path up to another spot where you can get an almost 360° view of the area.

Taking in the view

From here you continue along the trail which will be covered in pine needles for a while. You will go through some wooded areas here before coming to another small clearing.

The next portion of trail looks a little hidden. You can see how it goes into the brush. It then follows a trail up to the top. 

Trail leading to the top

I loved this view through the brush. 

After a while you will get to a section covered in pine needles. Super soft  pine needles. The entire area is covered in them. Bad thing is that they do make the path a little slippery, but not too bad. The trail wraps around until you come to a flat area that is seriously the perfect spot for a picnic. Next time we go I will pack a lunch and we will use that spot as a resting area.

They scaled the side instead of taking the path to the flat part. Cheaters! LOL

See how nice and flat it is?! Perfect for a picnic or a quick rest. 

 At this point you may be feeling like you are ready turn back, especially if you enjoy your rest at the "picnic" spot too long! But I promise you it is worth it to keep going. Its slightly more rugged as you continue, but the views from the top make your forget your tight legs and heavy breathing as soon as you get there. They are breathtakingly beautiful.

*Sigh* No words necessary

 You are literally right on the ridge line at this point. I am sure you could continue on if you are an advanced hiker, but that was the end of the road for us. But not before we got a few amazing family shots. You will be astounded how high you are!  You get a sense that you are on top of the world, and that you just conquered this majestic mountain. 
There is no feeling like it. 

Enjoy hiking! And let me know if you go!! :)