My wife and I are planning our first backpacking trip with our 3 and 5 year old. They are avid campers, hikers and did their first backcountry trip this summer rafting Ruby Horsethief. My wife and I have done some long backpacking trips in the desert (25 days in the Maze), but this was before kids. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions for somewhere we could do 3-4 days, around 3 miles a day, that might have reliable springs or potholes to get water from? We might just do something classic like Canyonlands, but hoping people might have some other suggestions.
At 5, we took our daughter and did The Box in Escalante. 10 miles, water the entire hike. She loved it. We only camped one night but could easily stretch to 2. Might be a bit much for a 3 year old. Though it looks all down hill, there is some up-down along the way. We brought jelly beans and gave our daughter one per crossing. There are over 50 crossings!
In the same area, Escalante to the highway 12 bridge along the Escalante river might be a bit farther than you want, but no elevation change and pretty easy walking. I’ve been wanting to do that one with my daughter, but it is buggy in summer when we have had time. Should not be buggy now.
In the Swell, just walking up along the San Rafael from the bridge near the San Rafael Campground could be nice. The trail to Cane Wash was excellent last time I was on it. Camping at Cane Wash is good, and you could “day-trip” up Cane Wash a bit before returning.
