Sulphur Creek in Capitol Reef - good for little kids?

[Ryebrye]

http://climb-utah.com/Capitol/sulphur.htm

From the beta, it looks like it would be something my 3 year old would love - since he goes nuts just splashing around in mud puddles... but it's not in the "family" section of the site so I'm not sure it's considered "family friendly"


This hike is excellent for children under competent adult supervision; the miles melt away for the kids as they splash in the water and scramble over rocks. Beware, there are three sections on this route where young children and beginning hikers might require some assistance. Teamwork is the name of the game at these places.

I'm thinking of hitting it this Friday - if anyone has done it recently or knows if the water level is decent that'd be good to know.

We'll have 4 adults and one 3 year old trouncing around and one 8-month old being carried - I would think that triple-teaming the 3-year old we should be able to get through it ok - but I've never done it.

[Iceaxe]

The reason the route is not in the family section is it's a little on the long side for young kids. If you can triple team a 3 y/o you should be fine. My kids did the route at 5 y/o and had no problems, but my kids are pretty good hikers.

[asdf]

I hiked in Sulphur Creek twice last month, First hike was with the kids from the bottom up to the last water fall and they had a blast. The second time I got dropped off at chimney rock while my wife and kids drove back down to the VC and hiked up to the last waterfall with the kiddies. I met up with then at the last water fall in just under two hours. The hike is a bit long for the little ones but something I am sure they will love to do when they are a bit older

last waterfall
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3583949496_13d922f2b6.jpg

[uintahiker]

Yeah- a bit long for little kids. Also there are a few petty good drops by the waterfalls that you don't want the kids to bail off of!

[Ryebrye]

I hiked in Sulphur Creek twice last month, First hike was with the kids from the bottom up to the last water fall and they had a blast. The second time I got dropped off at chimney rock while my wife and kids drove back down to the VC and hiked up to the last waterfall with the kiddies. I met up with then at the last water fall in just under two hours. The hike is a bit long for the little ones but something I am sure they will love to do when they are a bit older

So from the bottom up is 2 hours time?

The more I think about it, I think a 4 hour total hike might be on the long side for these little ones. Maybe I'll do some of the shorter 1-hour or so ones and then go swimming at the freemont falls.

How are the crowds down there? I see they only do first-come-first-serve camping in the park there. I saw that there was a small campground called the "Sunglow Campground" that looked like it was pretty close that had reservable group sites for $20 but I didn't reserve it in time with reserve-america so I might just go down there friday and try to get a spot in the park.

If the park is full is there a reasonable backup close to stay at?