Not for kids

February 28, 2012: Steph asked about kid friendly trails (Hi Steph) and I hiked this morning thinking about that.
***It’s not safe! The trails are too icy! The picture above is a trail going up the Rynex creek. It’s un-hikable even with spikes and poles! At the tops of the big falls are long icy ramps gently sloping toward a 60 foot drop! Don’t go there with kids!
***There is an exception: the yellow Highland Trail, pretty much ice free. From the Mariaville road trailhead, go across the footbridge, up the incline and turn left at the top. You have to watch for two right turns to get onto the trail. Keep to the right when you get to a split in the trail and you will arrive at the red trail which will take you safely back to the parking lot with views (at a distance) of the big falls.
***There’s a lot of ice on the trail between the trailhead and the footbridge but it’s on the level, avoidable, not that dangerous. Get ’em some spikes? Make ’em wear a ski helmet? Keep safe, —Ed Atkeson

About these ads