Here at The 4×4 Podcast, we realize that the offroad vehicle is really just a means to getting out and having an adventure. It certainly is a ton of fun, but sometimes its great to get out and explore on your own two feet.
This past weekend I scooped up my family and headed for the hiking trails. I also took this opportunity to utilize the new kids backpacks from my article on Adventure Outfitting for Kids. We talked about why certain items need to go on the trail with you and how to use those items. Trip prep is just one of the many teachable moments that happen while out exploring nature.
We also talked about why exercise is so good for you, why not all plants are good for you, erosion control and a lot more! I have to admit, sometimes these discussions were used just to help keep their minds off the steep hills that their little legs were climbing – a trick which didn’t always work.
Whetstone Gulf State Park is built in and around a three-mile-long gorge cut into the eastern edge of the Tug Hill Plateau. The gorge is one of the most spectacular scenic vistas east of the Rocky Mountains. The park has 56 wooded campsites- some of which are electric, a scenic picnic area along Whetstone Creek, a man-made swimming area and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, one of which circles the gorge. Above the gorge is Whetstone Reservoir, stocked with tiger muskie and large-mouth bass for fishermen, and popular for canoeing. My family explored this area a bit this past winter but didn’t make it far as a huge snow storm came in and sent us back to the truck to grab the sleds! This time we didn’t make the entire loop because we started too late in the day and my 4 and 5 year old aren’t quite ready for a 5.3 mile hike over rocky terrain – but we’ll get there!
Whetstone Gulf State Park
EveryTrail - Find the best Hiking in New York
Overall, it was a great hike and I know that I’ll be heading back to this area again in the future, but the next time we’ll start down the South trail in hopes of finding the water falls that I’ve heard about.
What kinds of outdoor activities do you do when you’re not behind the steering wheel?
Note – this map was created using EveryTrail for Android. EveryTrail.com is a great way to share trips, connect with other travelers and find great new things to do.
