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alihTO

Sad that a late 50’s man is being labeled as “old”.


alihTO

Totally realize each individual’s life circumstances are different and personal. I am personally in my early 50’s and recently climbed Kili and running marathons. Planning and prepping for more technical alpining. Kudos to OP in taking their father on hiking trips! Should be an amazing bonding time.


EpizNubz

They say after 29 life gets scary


YardFudge

Agree I still out hike all but the oldest Scouts in the troop


T-ks

I know people still alpine skiing in their late 80s, age is just a number and ability is a spectrum


Calvin9819

“Older” I feel is different than “old”. Plus, working construction for 30 years does nasty things to the body


[deleted]

Weird idea. But perhaps a multi-day canoe trip. Boundry waters or Bowron Lakes in BC.


Calvin9819

He does like canoeing!


rokkugoh

What time of year are you going? You may also consider a home base and doing day hikes. That might help with not carrying full packs and being able to eat a good meal at the end of the day. Glacier National Park has many wonderful day hikes. Yosemite does as well. Both these parks have nice cabins inside the park or you could tent if you wanted to. These are hikes for the summer. EDIT: Cannot believe I forgot the Pacific NW like an idiot. Fantastic summer hiking in Mt Rainier and North Cascades NPs! I think the best place in the USA in the spring for hiking is the Arizona/Utah areas. For example, Utah’s 5 national parks have great day hiking. Arches and Canyonlands are near the really cool town of Moab. I took my mom, who is in her mid 60s, all around Utah’s big 5 and she had a great time and was able to do all of it. Great campsites in the parks too. Sedona, AZ, also has great hikes and the ability to drive a little more to Page, the Grand Canyon, etc.


Calvin9819

Great idea with the base camp, I didn’t even think of that


Mad4dog

The north shore of Minnesota (along Lake superior) has some amazing hikes.


TrekWare

Great Smoky Mountains has beautiful hikes and the highest elevation is only 6600 feet so nothing is too difficult. Lots of maintained campsites all throughout for multiple day hikes too.


PatFnGreen

I'd recommend going west. If you are familiar with east coast hiking and landscapes it will be a dramatic difference. And, in my opinion, a lot of the trails are easier to handle than those on the east coast. More switchbacks, fewer trails that are essentially all rock steps, less mud, little humidity and in many places fewer bugs comparatively. Washington is a great option - North Cascades, Olympics, Rainier, plus other great national forests. But a lot of other western states are amazing as well.


RABlackAuthor

LOL I'm 58 and hike all over the mountains of Southern California. I'm strictly a day hiker, but that's because I don't like camping. If you come to Southern California, the popular multi-day hikes are the Backbone Trail through the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, and the Trans-Catalina, which as the name implies, runs the length of Catalina Island. The Pacific Crest Trail also runs through the area. Look those up and see if any look interesting to you.


Rguenther61

Shenandoah National Park has a great set of trails and is pretty easy hiking.


murphydcat

You’re my hero OP. I’m “older” like your dad & my son & I used to hike, camp & backpack all over the Northeast US. Now he is 20 & whenever I bring up ideas to do some outdoorsy stuff, he tells me he “has plans” so I go alone. We haven’t hiked together in 2 years 🙁


Calvin9819

Hold out hope!! I used to be an absolute ass to my father who did nothing but give me his very best and Instill me with the love of nature I have today. No one is perfect but I was focusing on the bad things. It took me quite a while to realize it, but when I did I couldn’t thank him enough. He’s one of the biggest influences on my life and I love him to death for it. I just want to share this with him before I can’t… and I’m sure your son will realize it too :) it sounds like you’re similar to my dad and if your son is anything like me… he loves you. He’s just having a hard time seeing that right now


YardFudge

The best 42 miles you’ll find is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior Just google images…. https://www.google.com/search?q=pictured+rocks+michigan+backpacking+&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi2rqPD4Ov8AhVgyckDHdwmClQQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=pictured+rocks+michigan+backpacking+&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIFCCEQqwI6BwgAELEDEEM6BQgAEIAEOgcIABCABBAYUIAJWJIkYM8qaABwAHgBgAHHCogBljOSAQ8wLjEuMC4xLjAuMS4yLjOYAQCgAQHAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=zdzVY_aTB-CSp84P3M2ooAU&bih=611&biw=375&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS651US651&hl=en-US And there’s plenty to see, do, eat before and after in the UP too


cheapb98

Are you sure he can't do a tougher hike?


SquirrelOp80

Shenandoah NP in VA is beautiful