Backpacking with a Baby
Point Reyes National Seashore. Kimana’s first two-day backpacking trip
You love the great outdoors and now your family has extended to include a baby. No need to panic and stay home. We took Kimana on this two-day backpacking trip at just 12 months old. While this particular trail/campsite is not open right now, we want to inspire you and show you that backpacking with a baby is a realistic and fun adventure. For us, it has become a special memory that we relish.
For the first time, we chose a trail that was accessible and where the destination had water. Point Reyes National Seashore satisfied all our criteria.
Point Reyes National Seashore
Point Reyes National Seashore is only a short drive away from the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a scenic and diverse 71,000-acre big area with sufficient hiking trails to make you feel far more remote from urban life than the 40 miles separating it from San Francisco. The weather is always a surprise: It can change within minutes from sunny and warm to wet, chilly, and foggy. Both weather conditions make this trail enjoyable.
In August 2020, the Woodward Fire burnt the area of this hike. At the moment all these trails are closed, as well as Coast Camp. The park is hoping to reopen the trails in the spring of 2021.
The Hike Out
From Bear Valley visitor center we started out on the broad Bear Valley Trail. I was carrying Kimana in the Ergo Baby Carrier in the front, where she was snug and I had a 40-liter backpack in the back, packed so that the overall weight wouldn’t get too much. The broad trail gave me time to adjust the gear before ascending Mt. Wittenberg trail. This is a narrow, fairly steep trail through a Douglas-fir temperate rainforest. On a foggy day, the trail will be misty and will have an enigmatic feel to it. It provides a lot of opportunity for entertaining the little ones. At the top, views over Point Reyes reward the ascent. Kimana enjoyed trying her new walking skills on the gently downward sloping Sky Trail.
After 1.3 miles we took the Woodward Valley Trail to the right. It winds in and out of the forest, giving you occasions to see Drake’s Bay and even the Farallon Islands on a clear day. The views give patience in the excruciatingly slow progress of walking at baby pace, followed by motivation as baby is again stowed happily in the Ergo, enjoying the ride, while all adults walk at top speed to “make up” time. Look out for the occasional deer that will entertain your little one. Kimana found this one.
The trail descends somewhat steeply towards the Coast Trail, which we reached after 1.8 miles. We walked off to the right to take a bridge over Santa Maria Creek. After 0.6 miles on Coast Trail, we entered Coast Camp, our destination for the night.
Coast Camp
This is a very windy site. We had packed wind-protective gear for Kimana. There are pit toilets, water, and the luxury of trash cans at the site. Coast Camp is very spread out and close to Santa Maria Beach. We took a delighted Kimana to play on the beach and wade the little tide pools while being careful to keep out of the ocean completely. On a side note with little ones in tow, do not forget that Point Reyes is mountain lion country, even though sightings are very rare. We did not leave our baby out of sight, ever.
After enjoying camping at the coast, we retraced our steps the next day. Kimana was happy throughout, entertained by the ever-changing surroundings, little toys knotted to the Ergo, and just content to be part of it all.
Practical Considerations
Trail Specific
Information on trail and camp closures (fire and COVID related) on the park’s website: https://www.nps.gov/pore/learn/management/firemanagement_woodwardfire.htm
Backpacking in Point Reyes National Seashore is by permit only. Apply for one ahead of time online, or chance getting one from the visitor center on the day of departure.
Although I would qualify the trail as relatively easy, I would only recommend backpacking with a child this young if you have backpacked before. I was glad that I was experienced in packing and carrying before adding the extra responsibility. The backpacking trip becomes more strenuous with a baby or toddler due to the irregularity of walking pace and unplanned breaks. All this said, it is a small price to pay for still being able to enjoy backpacking and my daughter’s smile was well worth the effort.
Literature: A three-day version of this trail is described in “Backpacking California”, edited by Paul Backhurst.
Planning for the little person:
Baby specifics: You should be used to carrying your infant or toddler (a stroller is definitely not the right tool). Make sure you use a carrier that is well adapted to you. You can either use a front carrier (it should be very comfortable for your baby, for example the Ergo Baby Carrier) with a normal backpack on your back. This solution can be suitable very early on. Or use a back baby carrier with storage space. Make sure you have at least one other adult with you to share the load. We hiked this trip with three adults and a one-year-old sharing a light backpacking tent.
Food for baby: The easiest is to plan trail food your baby can eat: Leave out the salt and add it only to your plate. Have lots of goodies to keep your child in a good mood: Dried fruit is delicious and light.
Diapers: Prepare enough bags to carry out soiled diapers and all wet wipes if your baby is using them.
Nights: Get a sleeping bag and hat for your child at night, as nights are cold. The children’s sleeping bag can be easily shortened at the bottom to the needed length with a string.
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