Choosing the path of least resistance is tempting when hiking with children, but our hike to Delicate Arch in Arches National Park proved that elevation is more about mindset than strength.
A three-mile round trip with 600 feet of climbing felt intimidating after my long break from demanding trails. Yet we discovered that success with kids isn't found in how fast we climb, but in how much fun we have along the way, and in how many times the kid says he is tired. If you ask me, the fewer times, the better.
Small adventures instead of one big climb
By shifting the focus from the destination to what was right around us (climbing rocks, finding shapes in the sandstone, talking about how hard our legs were working), the hike turned into a series of small, manageable adventures. The secret to our pace was enjoying the hike rather than timing it.
Give them a job
Letting my son take the lead with his camera changed how we saw the landscape: we weren't just walking, we were observing. Add the goal of finishing his Junior Ranger booklet and the excitement of stargazing later that night, and the hike became a mission rather than a chore.
When energy was low, we didn't push through with grit. We paused, shifted our focus and distracted our way forward, turning potential tough moments into chances to connect.
The real reward
Reaching the iconic arch was a milestone, but the true reward was realizing I was steadily finding my way back to the outdoors. After years of quietly avoiding physically demanding paths, I was navigating the climb the same way we navigate parenting: one thoughtful step at a time.
Every time we are outdoors, I learn something by watching how resilient kids are. Fuel their curiosity, and they will hike any mountain you ask them to. And I have learned to enjoy the journey more than the destination.
— Sneha Mahecha, Family Adventure Squad team member