Trip Report
Climbing/Hiking with a 2 year old, Rozzi's attempt on Horsetail Falls
Sunday July 12, 2015 1:36pm
So my daughter is quite the climber. She's done Mt Hoffman (10,000 feet) before she was born, free soloed both the Devils Pulpit on Diablo and Pothole dome. She also completed Lambert recently. I think I'll need a harness and stuff soon.

The other day I took her to Horsetail Falls in Desolation Wilderness, one of my favorite little hikes, to see how far she would make it. I was impressed, along with everyone else that saw her on the trail that day. This 2 year old made it to the base of Horsetail Falls and all the way back on her own. Next time we climb to the top.

Here's a bunch of cool pictures from our hike (it was a climb for her)

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Credit: squishy
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Some volunteers were working the trailhead that day and offered to take a photo for us.

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Credit: squishy
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We came to the river and it's 1st little waterfall. "No Rozzi, that is not the waterfall, there is a much bigger one."

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Credit: squishy
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The trail is just a hiking trail for full size adults, but for tourists and a 2 year old it's quite an adventure.

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Credit: squishy
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Rozzi learning the word "traverse"

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Credit: squishy
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Rozzi discovers slab and how easy it is compared to the trail.


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Obstacles go by with ease and without complaint, she gets down to business..

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Credit: squishy
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On top of a small spur, as we walked over broken and cracked slab, I heard the tell tail sound of a rattler! I snatched her up and pulled back to find a route around. Not more than 30 feet, we came to another one but spotted it before getting too close for a rattle.

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Rozzi scrambling to Horsetail Falls
Rozzi scrambling to Horsetail Falls
Credit: squishy
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Maybe I should have been spotting on this one.

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Credit: squishy
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Zero cotton, sun protection, sticky shoes and style!

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Credit: squishy
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"Rattle Snakes, rattle snakes, won't you come out and play with me?!" sung to the tune of A, B C's. It was cute the 1st couple of times.

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Credit: squishy
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There's the falls! And thankfully they were flowing because of recent rainfall.

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Credit: squishy
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And more obstacles were taken on, head on!

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Credit: squishy
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We stop at the the falls, scramble out to a nice picnic spot in the shade, on top of cascade and place our feet in the water for lunch. Rozzi smashes a peanut butter and jelly sandwich all over her mouth and begs for more water.

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Credit: squishy
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She finally laid down on the granite in the spray of the falls and proclaimed "I'm sleepy".

We turned around, failing to even attempt the class 3 ahead, she was just too tired and I feared carrying her down already. I had the secret weapon on my back the whole time, a child carrier. I asked if she would like a ride. "Only babies ride in backpacks daddy!"



  Trip Report Views: 1,793
squishy
About the Author
squishy is a mountain climber from the republic of California.

Comments
zBrown

Ice climber
  Jul 12, 2015 - 01:40pm PT
Nice story & cute little adventuress.

My mother informed me that at age two I was falling down the porch steps and nearly slicing my nose off with a sharp tin can.

They didn't have cameras in those days.
Dapper Dan

Trad climber
Redwood City
  Jul 12, 2015 - 01:39pm PT
Superb ! Getting them started early ...
Gnome Ofthe Diabase

climber
Out Of Bed
  Jul 12, 2015 - 01:44pm PT
Pink is the coolest !

This brought

Smiles for miles around here thanks for sharing,

Extra adorable


mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
  Jul 12, 2015 - 06:33pm PT
Mount Hofffman, "before she was born." Classic.

Way to get her out early; you'll never regret having done so.
HighTraverse

Trad climber
Bay Area
  Jul 12, 2015 - 06:53pm PT
Rozzi so elegantly shows kids are natural climbers. It's only overly - protective helicopter parents and adults who spoil it for them.
You go RozziGirl!!
And don't listen to the naysayers. I know your Dad will keep you safe and out of trouble.
mtnyoung

Trad climber
Twain Harte, California
  Jul 12, 2015 - 07:13pm PT
I gotta add that I totally, totally agree with High Traverse.
johnboy

Trad climber
Can't get here from there
  Jul 12, 2015 - 07:31pm PT
Look out Steph Davis, your future nemesis is in the valley getting stoked, onsiting everything in front of her.

Nice TR.
Clint Cummins

Trad climber
SF Bay area, CA
  Jul 12, 2015 - 07:31pm PT
Very cute. Thanks for sharing.
overwatch

climber
Arizona
  Jul 12, 2015 - 09:23pm PT
The kid is cute but the writing made her more so. Nice job.
Mungeclimber

Trad climber
Nothing creative to say
  Jul 12, 2015 - 09:56pm PT
heh, good stuff Squishy!
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
  Jul 13, 2015 - 03:46am PT
One lucky kido!!!!
SteveW

Trad climber
The state of confusion
  Jul 13, 2015 - 12:22pm PT

Voted Number ONE for the week!!!!

Great stuff!~!
JEleazarian

Trad climber
Fresno CA
  Jul 13, 2015 - 12:59pm PT
I love it, Squishy. My daughters were hiking and scrambling early, too, and they now love the mountains at ages 29 and 27. I hope you and your daughter enjoy great times together in the mountains for decades to come.

John
johntp

Trad climber
Punter, Little Rock
  Jul 13, 2015 - 03:58pm PT
She has slab climber written all over her. Great technique.
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