AboutWhitestag Expertise I can advise on anything having to do with hiking and backpacking skills and equipment, including map and compass and orienteering skills. I can also advise on hiking with children (see experience). I cannot advise on the use of GPS devices. I cannot advise on car camping or group camping (10 or more people).
My primary geographic expertise is in the US Northeast, but I know how to find information on hiking and backpacking just about anywhere.
Experience I've been hiking and backpacking for about 40 years, including ongoing section hiking of the Appalachian Trail (over 1000 miles so far). I also have experience with hiking and backpacking with children -- I started taking my kids with me when they were five or six and continued well into their teen years. I have hiked extensively in the New York Metropolitan Area, as well as various other areas from Virginia north, including upstate New York, New England, and Eastern Canada.
Organizations belong to New York - New Jersey Trail Conference
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Publications New York Walk Book, 7th Ed. New Jersey Walk Book, 2nd Ed.
Question hi. i am looking for an overnight hiking/camping trip. we live on long island and thought harriman park would be good. we are 3 adults with 3 children. The ages are 3,5, and 6. Maybe a mile or two total to give them a first trip into the woods. A nice flat-ish hike would be great.
Answer I know of almost nothing in Harriman/Bear Mountain that is a flat hike to a designated camping area, and I personally consider three to be too young for an overnight hike. But it's your call -- you know your kids and their capabilities. Possibly the Fingerboard shelter on the Appalachian Trail about 1.4 miles from Tiorati Circle might work. The walk in starts with a 0.3 mile uphill climb on a trail that parallels the Arden Valley Road, then a bit more than a mile of fairly gentle rolling hills to the shelter.
Do not plan on much in the way of "grown-up" fun -- making things work well for the kids should be your sole priority. You will be carrying pretty much all the food, shelter, and whatever other equipment is necessary. The adults will probably end up carrying the three-year old much of the distance as well. The older kids will probably be able to carry their own sleeping bags and a change of clothing.
I strongly advise that the adults involved hike the route in advance to determine its appropriateness for the kids -- that's what I always did prior to overnight hiking with my kids.
