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Show Cross Currents Page 1 6 June 19, 1998 ft- "VtA. Written by Maureen Keilty Photographed by Dan Peha CC ifi I i I amities that hike together stay together the unofficial motto of active, outdoor families. However, those whose hiking is companions have short legs and even shorter attention spans often mutter, Hikings a hassle. Be it a motto or a mutter, hiking is fun when plenty of preparation and a light, positive attitude compliment every trip. Preparation means more than stashing essentials the (see sidebar) in a ' daypack. It means - trail the kind that will selecting a make a toddler say, I made it the whole way! or a teen will admit is kinda cool. Trail guidebooks are just once source of trail descriptions. Another source is the areas land management agency, be it the forest service, a national or state park, the Bureau of Land Management, or the city parks ' and recreation department. Contact the recreation officer at each headquarters office to line up your choices of treks. Ask about trail length and elevation gain. First hikes, depending on your childs curiosity or endurance, may reach only a quarter mile or may extend as far as 1 mile. Older children the 7- - to bunch when primed with Power Bars and peer pressure, have the energy for day trips as long as 5 miles. trails for young children (and their big, d companions) climb less than feet mile. and their slightly 1,000 per smaller siblings love summit scrambles, providing adult huffs and puffs beside them. Find out about the trails destination. A waterfall, an abandoned miners cabin, or an overlook into a deep rock chasm are the kinds of attractions that lure children to the trails end. On the other hand, loop trails, the kind that circle back to their starting point, possess qualities parents and children love. v Families consisting of mixed ages and abilities use turnaround points, destinations along the trail like creek crossings or canyon overlooks where tired hikers can head back and still feel that everyone had a complete trip. Ask about the plant and animal life you will encounter. Will there be raspberries to pick or poi- child-friend- ly child-friend- ly family-frie- ndly - - Child-friend- ly weak-knee- Pre-tee- ns - Ways to get and keep the whole family interested in hiking mist-sprayi- cant-get-lo- st, ever-changi- ng - ng |