Myer

I may be able to take my daughter and then 7 1/2 year old granddaughter to Yellowstone next summer (2014).

I'm looking for hikes / activities in the OF, Canyon and Signal Mtn areas appropriate for a 7 year old. She still talks about our trip to Yosemite a couple of years ago.

Some I'm thinking of:

Upper Geyser Basin or Geyser Loop.

Grand Prismatic Spring boardwalk.

Possibly the first mile of the Fairy Falls hike and then up the unofficial trail to the elevated view of Grand Prismatic Spring.

Junior Ranger Program though I want to concentrate on outdoors and not filling in forms. Maybe download in advance and have her do most before.

Walk (we'll call it a hike) from the parking area to Moose Falls and possibly wade in the water bellow the falls. Not very far but it is in the woods.

Others?

tomfuller

Visit Solitary Geyser. Try to fufill the requirements of the Earth Cache there. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...b-437b92bf1784
I've been geocaching for over 7 years now and really enjoy it.

Myer

I think Solitary Geyser is too far for a 7 year old. Thanks for the suggestion.

spirobulldog

I would imagine that she could handle going down one of the Canyon Trails. It is just a lot of stairs, but it is fairly short. Maybe Uncle Tom's Trail?

Myer

I went down Uncle Tom's when I was there. I found it a lot of stairs for not a great view. Maybe she'll like it. On the south side.

The one I really liked is Red Rock Point. You park at Lookout Point and hike down .5 mile below it. A bit steep but not long. Excellent views and just the height and distance I like. That's where I go a rainbow photo. On the north side.

I'll describe them to my daughter and let her decide.

She'll be a little younger than 8 at the time. I'll print out the 5-7 and 8-12 year old Jr Ranger bookets and give them to my daughter to get her opinion. I don't want her spending hours inside with this.

I still need more suggestions.

spirobulldog

I would for sure see a lot around OF geyser basin, grand prismatic. I think any kid would like Dragon's Cauldron(I think thats the right name). It really growls.

Nelson

I did the Fairy Falls hike in winter on snowshoes as an adult, but remember it as being mellow and beautiful So I think that's a good option if you take under account the different seasonal conditions from what I had.

My brother was 8 and I was 12 when my dad took us to Yellowstone for the first time in 1962. We LOVED the OF geyser basin as spiro suggests, and also greatly enjoyed Yellowstone Falls and Canyon. We didn't do any real hikes on that trip (but possibly should have), yet it was all wonderful. We did walk down to the viewpoint where the falls go over the drop.

Have a great trip. Sounds like a good time.

Myer

Personally, I much, much prefer a straight on view of the falls. However, she might like the proximity to the falls that you get from the brink.

I want a few things in woods as she still talks about "hiking" in Yosemite. Actually, there was one walk the two of us took after dinner that had us getting sprayed under Yosemite Falls. She also went on a few Jr Ranger hikes that were short and geared towards kids as the ranger had photos and explained things at their level. I wonder if they have that at Yellowstone. I think I'll call.

spiro,
I'll check out Dragon's Caldron. I don't want to go way out of our way for one sight.

Yes, I have Grand Prismatic Spring on the list.

Nelson,
While I think the hike to Fairy Falls is too far, the first part takes you right by an unofficial trail up to an elevated view of Grand Prismatic Spring.

Right now I'm thinking of concentrating on the areas of the Upper Geyser Basin and Canyon.

If we flew into and out of Jackson it would make sense to end up in GTNP. Possibly Signal Mtn.

Good stuff so far. Thanks.

Myer

spiro,
I checked the location of Dragon's Caldron and it's only a few minutes below Canyon. It appears to be just below Hayden valley. If it's really there that's a good location.

Thanks.

spirobulldog

You can look at it on youtube. The sound on youtube doesn't do it justice. It's more about the sound than the sight. It moans an groans as it ebbs and flows and is pretty creepy. It isn't a hike, it's pretty much right off the parking area. It's also not far from Lake area. I find the geysers(usually just steaming) to be interesting right by the Lake.
Dragons Mouth is Ranked #28 on tripadvisor. I'm sure you could get more ideas there too.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...k_Wyoming.html

A couple of more sights of things to do with kids in YS. The bottom site lists Dragon's Mouth as #1(I wouldn't go that far).

http://www.kidscantravel.com/tipstra...one/index.html

http://www.kidscantravel.com/tipstra...one/index.html

tomfuller

You can log 2 Earth Caches and a virtual within 400 feet of Grand Prismatic Spring (GPS).
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...3-5afed77b0018
If you're going there you might as well learn something about the springs and geysers.

Myer

spiro, Thanks.
I got really interested in Ranger Adventure Hikes until it said they're not really for kids and the shortest is 4 hours long.

Actually, I mot just looking for hikes. Any sights that would be of interest for kids in the 7-8 year old range.

The Jr Ranger Progam is something I'll have to check on but I don't want something that's going to have her indoors filling in forms.

Tom, an idea but I'll have her read about springs and geysers in advance. I don't want things too complex. It's a trip to enjoy.

Good ideas so far. Thanks.

monpetit

Some Hikes we do during our different venues and not so difficult
Riddle lake, flat, with chance(+/-) to see wildlife.Lake not "swim-able"
Ice lake, flat, some wildlife(not the big 3 but deers...), swimable.
West thumb geyser basin, nice .
The beginning of the Pelican valley-very nice, wild life.
Mystic falls not so difficult but I think "overrated"
Lone star Geyser and if you can have the eruption schedule it is better-flat, and acessible by bikes.
Storm point easy and "curious" (you seem to be on a seabeach)
Erik

Myer

Erik,
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check out each in the next couple of days.

I agree with you about Mystic Falls. It really isn't worth the distance.

I want to keep the hikes really short.

This is one of the things we may do. Go to Grand Prismatic Spring to get a closeup view. Then drive a mile back towards Old Faithful to the Fairy Falls trailhead. Hike the first mile until we get to Grand Prismatic Spring on the right and the unofficial trail up on the left. The view from there is great and the hike isn't too far.

StantonHyde

meyer--here is my trip report from a couple of years ago with young kids:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ellowstone.cfm

The hard part was that they were good for only about one hike a day--they do get tired. Also, the geysers reek of sulfur and my kids did NOT like that. They survived But that wasn't their favorite smell! The Dragons cauldron they really did not like because it stunk so bad! We couldn't hike at Canyon because of a recent grizzly incident so I am not much help there.

If you want to hike in the woods, there is a little known trail that goes from the Old Faithful Lodge area to Mallard Lake. I used to run that trail when I worked in Yellowstone. It is 3 miles one way, so too long to hike the whole thing, but you could hike some of it. Check out the book--best easy day hikes in Yellowstone. Have fun with your grand daughter!

Hang20

Myer
My son was 7 when we went to Yellowstone last summer. Here is a copy my trip report. My his brothers were 10 at the time so that should help too.
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rand-teton.cfm

As he is sitting here I asked him what hikes he really liked Old Faithful Geyser and the trails around it, Mount Washburn. He said Uncle Tom's was really neat (we just took our time on the stars.) We did Fairy Falls as you describe; it would be easy for her and yes the unofficial trail was one of the best parts. Our best pictures of Grand Prismatic Springs are from this part of the trail. The geysers afterward were very active and no one was there. This was a really easy hike.
I would skip 11 mile hole, the downward trail was very steep and mostly loose stones. I would highly recommend trout lake; it was beautiful no one was there and it was an easy hike. I am jealous reading/ writing this. I may have to go back next summer! Enjoy your trip.

Myer

StantonHyde & Hang20,
I just read StantonHyde's report very quickly. I'll read it again later.

Hang20, I haven't read your report yet. Did a 7 year old hike Mt washburn? That's a long hike with no oxygen!!!

I don't know if this trip will even take place but I book lodging yesterday. Two nights at Old Faitful Snow Lodge, two nights at canyon Lodge and two night at Signal Mountain Lodge (assumes flying into and out of Jackson).

I'm a bit conflicted about the Jr Ranger stuff. When I took them to Yosemite a couple of years ago she went on 3 Jr Range hikes and really enjoyed them. They were about an hour long with stops for explanations and the ranger had photos, etc. And of course the metal badge they got that pinned onto their t-shirts didn't hurt.

What I want to avoid is a lot of inddor work on a printout (maybe she can do a lot of this in advance). I'll check into each location for short activites. Maybe even evening stuff.

At Yosemite we went to a star gazing thingy and even though she told me she didn't understand most she enjoyed it. Also, at the giant sequoias we saw a ranger giving a talk and she insisted we continue on with them for several of their stops. Again she told me she didn't understand a lot of what he said but I think there's something about a man in uniform.

I'll check over your reports. Thanks.

monpetit

While at OFSL, the obsidian dining room is good and old faithful/geysers at sunset will for sure be a nice experience for your granddaughter.
The norris geyser basin is also a nice option and the drive at fireholecanyon-some nice interestings spots here...
If lweather is not to hot for a day with pic-nic imperial geyser is flat-i know longer than you try to find but pic-nic was always an adventure when i was 6 to 12 ( my parents give us early the hiking spirit) : imperial has a lot of nice euptions every 10-15 mn and the scenery here is terrific...
While in Canyon, the lodge dining room is a good option with sometimes waiting time of 1/2 h but there are nice shops here. The cafetaria is mediocre and we preferr the "diner-like" spot in the great shop.
Finally signal moutain lodge was one of our preferred stop in Yellowstone/GT. The dining room has avterrific view and the traper gril will be appreciated by your granddaughter...
Wéll be in YellowstoneGT in 2014 but i don't know our exact schedule. I have to speak with my collegues...
Erik

Myer

Erik, Thanks.
A few years ago I was in Yellowstone and GTNP and stayed in OF Lodg (not Snow Lodge), Canyon Lodge and Signal Mtn. I was with a friend on that trip.

We'll do fine with food.

Imperial Geyser looks interesting. It might be possible if we break it up into a back-side elevation viewing of Grand Prismatic Spring, picnic lunch, fairy falls and Imperial Geyser.

I want to check the distance to make sure it's not too long.

Thanks Erik.

StantonHyde

myer--i print out the junior ranger books in advance and have them fill out the info as we are driving--helps cut down on the "are we there yet". In Yellowstone, we saw the ranger talk on wolves at the Madison ranger station. It was very good. I really liked the new visitors centers at OF and Grant's Village. So if you have to do something indoors--those are good places!