Acorn Creek Trail
Spoiler Alert: Acorn Creek is NOT a kid friendly hike but it was a great booty workout with breathtaking views!
I took my sweet cousin & her daughter on this trail last summer. All I remembered were stunning views and fields of wildflowers. When Will (my husband) told me he had a job by the trail head I decided to join him and try to complete the hike while he worked. Unfortunately, the trail was much more difficult than I expected and we were too early to see the wildflowers. I turned around about a mile from the end, I was not comfortable continuing with Carson on my back. The trail got far too steep and rocky.
When I use the term kid friendly, I mean friendly enough for kids to hike. It is possible to do this with kids in carriers - but I wouldn’t go as far to say it is enjoyable with a kid on your back. I had to stop VERY often for water & leg breaks. My legs didn’t work so well the next few days either. So it’s possible, but not as enjoyable as other trails!
Acorn Creek Trail
Helpful Information
There is no phone signal at all during this hike! You will lose signal on the highway. Plan accordingly - take pictures of the trail and map to get there before you leave the house
When you turn off the highway keep going, until you hit the parking lot and see the trail head. It feels like you’re in the middle of a neighborhood, but I promise it’s the right way. (there is a gated community right next to the parking lot)
Bring poles if you have them. It gets scary steep at the top. If I had poles we might have gone farther up. Also, numerous trees had fallen on the trail! It was pretty difficult climbing over them with Carson on my back and no one to help - poles would have helped.
The trail is mostly open, with a few covered areas. I would recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, and A LOT of water. I ran out half way up and it wasn’t fun.
We didn’t bring Remi, but it is friendly enough for active dogs.
How to make it kid friendly:
On the way down I started thinking about how amazing the views are and how it’s difficulty rating probably deters a lot of families. Here’s the deal, the first half mile or so is a piece of cake. You start flat, then descend into a lovely wooded creek area. (on the way back Carson and I had to stop and play in the water) After the creek is when you start the ascent. The views are behind you, however, you don’t have to hike long to see the full mountain range. The picture below was taken at about .5/.75 miles in, which would make the hike about a mile/mile and a half total if you turned around after enjoying the views. When I hiked this trail last summer (late July) this entire field was covered with wildflowers!
