Lake Haigler Loop Nature Walk

Using our new family membership on Saturday, we hiked the 1.25-mile Haigler Lake loop in the gorgeous fall weather. 

For other locals considering this nature walk: It is totally inappropriate to take a double- or even single-stroller on this nature walk. There are extremely steep, short sections and many roots that are an obstacle. I had to keep telling the littlest boys to get out and walk sections, which was fine for the three-year-old who did not want to be in the stroller anyway, but became a real burden for Thomas, who was exhausted and now complaining of a headache (again!). When we got back to the trailhead, Thomas cried a little bit (in relief?) and I felt just wretched as a cancer mom who unwittingly pushed her little fellow too hard. 

Now I'm seeking some kind of hiking backpack I could wear all 40 pounds of him in so we could enjoy nature walks during this time period. Another idea is that one parent stays at the trailhead--which is a huge open field with fun things to see and do and adjacent to a building containing a restaurant and bathrooms--while the other parent hikes with the top four kids only.

All that said, we made good memories and we enjoyed the views and critter citing.

Snake spotting!

Skipping stones