Hiking with a toddler is basically just stopping every 3 feet | DadHQ

Hiking with a toddler is basically just stopping every 3 feet

Jan 141 min read

We tried Runyon Canyon with our 2.5 year old yesterday because "it's short and easy." WRONG. She wanted to examine literally every rock, stick, and leaf. We covered maybe a quarter mile in 90 minutes. My wife was patient about it but I was internally screaming. The other hikers with their fit kids just zooming past us... anyway is it just us or does everyone else's toddler need to inspect everything? How do you actually make it fun instead of a frustrating crawl?

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Comments(6)

TTim K.RegularJan 15

Runyon Canyon with a 2.5 year old is basically a hiking tutorial on lowered expectations lol. We did Temescal with our 2yo thinking the same thing and made it maybe 0.8 miles before the meltdown. Now we do 15-minute out-and-backs only.

KKent R.RegularJan 17

Did she at least have fun though? Sometimes it's not about the destination when they're that little. We measure hiking success by 'did anyone cry and are we all home safe' at this stage.

TTyler M.New DadJan 15

The stopping every 3 feet thing is real but honestly some of those moments are the best ones. Our son got obsessed with a caterpillar for like 10 minutes on the trail last week. Wouldn't trade that weirdness for finishing a hike.

NNicholas R.New DadJan 16

Get a hiking backpack carrier if you don't have one already. The Osprey Poco or Deuter Kid Comfort are solid. For Runyon specifically those are better than strollers and your daughter can hop down when she actually feels like walking.

RRichardRegularJan 16

Try going super early like 7am before it gets hot and crowded. Toddlers have slightly better mood in cool weather and fewer people means fewer obstacles. Also bring way more snacks and water than you think you need.

PPedroRegularJan 17

This is peak parenting right here. You thought 'short and easy' meant short and easy for your toddler too. Give it a few more years, these hikes get better around 4 or 5.