Easy Hikes

[curlygirl]

Hi there, I am looking for an easy hike I can take my daughter (whom is 8 years old) and my puppy (12 week old lab), this weekend if possible. I did a lot of hiking in the past and I want to introduce my daughter to it (she hasn't done any except when we are camping, short hikes to and from the lake). Any suggestions would be fabulous

[joebartels]

If you're looking for anything remotely cool it's going to be about a 3 hour drive.
Here's an overview of "easier" August hikes (scratch anything above a 2 on "Route Finding" though)

Upper Sabino Canyon Riparian Area or Meadow Trail #5A would be my picks in the above 8000 feet range above Tucson, paved driving all the way to either. Meadow is listed no dogs but it seems it's out of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness. One of the Tucsonians will know more... maybe neither are an option.

In which case Kinder Crossing is a thought.

If you're not looking to drive, I'd simply do Hidden Valley via Buena Vista at 5:30am. Silent Sunday is the weekend after so you don't have to worry about it being closed. This may be out of her range. I know five year olds that tear it up and twelve year olds that can't take it.

[Jeffshadows]

A good portion of the Meadow trail is in Pusch Ridge Wilderness. Going out and back on Lemmon #5 is fine with dogs, though.

[curlygirl]

Wow, thank you for your replies! Now, I just have to decide......

[Grasshopper]

In which case Kinder Crossing is a thought.

I second this one! Would be a good choice for a family day outing and fun for an 8 year old, especially if you like to have fun in the water. The .75ml entrance road is kind-of washed out with ruts, but is doable with a passenger car IF dry and IF not, still worth the extra hike to the TH Start. It probably is a 3hr drive to the TH from PHX, but you are guaranteed a nice day escape from our PHX area summer heat. Not sure about dogs allowed. Maybe someone else will confrim this part. Check out the hike description recent triplogs and pic sets for more fun details!

[dysfunction]

My 7 and 8 year olds did the 5/5a loop with a side trip down to the fire lookout without serious complaint (other than being hungry at lunch time)

[curlygirl]

No serious complaints would be fabulous, from the puppy or my daughter I am just looking at pictures of Kinder Crossing, looks so amazing, it might be the winner!

[chumley]

No problems with dogs at Kinder Crossing. The swimming is nice, and there's absolutely TONS of crawdads, which are fun for kids too. (But it's good to bring a pair of water shoes if you don't want to get pinched).

Hopefully this doesn't need mentioning, but bring a leash for your dog. There are occasionally other dogs down there (or people who aren't fans of cute 12-week old puppies ), and sometimes a leash is necessary to keep them all friendly.

The hike is short ... but it is quite steep. Shouldn't be a problem for kid or dog, just plan on climbing up a steep trail for about 20 minutes.

[chumley]

Another option is the trail which goes around Bear Canyon Lake. You're going to see more people here, but it's a very easy hike in a beautiful spot.
http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1210

[curlygirl]

Oh my yes, my puppy will be on a leash, that would not make for a fun experience for myself or my daughter, or my puppy for that matter ahahah! Thank you That is what we love, crawdad fishing, we don't eat them....but they are so fun to catch and then have races with...silly I know but it keeps myself and my daughter entertained for hours at Woods Canyon lake!

Thank you all so much for the advice, this is my favorite new site!