The Day Our Kids Outhiked Us
It takes a team to hike in Parfrey Glen.
On July 30, 2021, our family took a spontaneous trip to a favorite hiking area, Devil’s Lake State Park. Nestled on the Ice Age Trail, with rock formations such as Balance Rock, Devil’s Doorway, and potholes on the bluffs overlooking Devil’s Lake, it’s no wonder why Devil’s Lake is Wisconsin’s most visited state park. The day not only proved to be monumental in that we never do anything spontaneous, but the kids reached a freeing milestone that we had expected to be many years away.
Setting the stage
We never imagined at a cumulate age of only 14, our three kids would outhike us. Particularly in the summer of 2021, when my husband, Simon, and I were in the best shape of our lives (more on that later). Frankly, we have to be conscientious to scale back expectations when we bike, ski, hike, or run with other adults.
To set the stage, we wanted to make the most of our limited time at the park. It wasn’t until I was rollerskiing after breakfast I came up with the bright idea of taking off for a day trip (I get so many great ideas during workouts!) When I arrived home, I proposed the idea to the family and I skipped a shower (we’d be hiking all day anyways) in lieu of packing.
Ambitious Itinerary
Celebrating arrival to the Parfrey Glen waterfall.
In the car, I orchestrated an ambitious itinerary. First we’d circumnavigate Devil’s Lake on the Tumbled Rocks and East Bluff Trails (4.8 miles with 615 feet elevation gain). Then, we’d have a break for a late lunch and take the strenuous 500+ stairs on the Potholes Trail to Balance Rock and Devil’s Doorway then back down the CCC Trail (2.7 miles with 546 feet elevation gain). Finally, we’d tackle Parfrey Glen (2.6 miles with 313 feet elevation gain), if there was any gas left in the tanks.
We fully expected my husband to utilize the kids hiking carrier for our three-year-old, we just hoped the older ones could hold their own. Turns out its sole function was an oversized water bottle carrier, remaining childless the entire trip!
Running on Fumes
Not only did they have no problems completing north of 10 miles and 1500 feet of elevation gain, but they still had plenty of energy to go swimming during our lunch break AND hit up the playground before we exited Devil’s Lake State Park. Meanwhile, I was relieved to have a little down time flipping through a magazine. I volunteered to clean up after supper so I wouldn’t have to chase the kids at the playground.
Unbeknownst to the kids, my husband and I confessed to each other that we were running on fumes by the time we hit the trails for our final hike. But neither of us were going to be the weakest link when it comes to family adventure. My husband and I both had strong 2021 resumes:
Simon topped all solo 12 hour mountain bikers tallying 132 miles at the Wausau24.
I kicked off the summer as the last runner standing at WausaUltra after 39 hours and later won my biggest ultra, Barkley Fall Classic, and paving the way to race the notorious Barkley Marathons.
Keeping up with the kids as we climb hundreds of stairs.
Not too shabby by most standards. But our kids felt differently, who frequently inquire, “Why are you SO SLOW?!?” (And years later, this continues to be a question raised by them!) To shed light on their high standards, I point out that not a single hiker passed us.
0% accuracy
On our final hike, the kids wanted to hop rocks along the creek. I told them if they had energy on the return, we would. I never expected them to excitedly take off their shoes an hour later and spend until twilight playing in the creek. Making me a perfect 0% accuracy on their abilities. At least I wasn’t the only one. We met a pair of women descending as we began our second hike. One said to us, “It’s a lot further than it looks.” I secretly smirked that she had no clue about our Incredibles-equivalent children. I didn’t have to incentivize the kids once as they scaled the 500+ stairs (nor anywhere else during the day’s adventures), with the only brief breather requested by our 3 year old!
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