We are planning a visit in June and have a diverse family as my 14 year old is in a wheelchair (mentally a straight A student, just can't walk) and we travel with our 16 year old son, and 3 year old and seven year old son. We travel with an all terrain three wheeled handicapped stroller that we take on trails. Are there any hikes or trails we can go on that would accommodate that? Also m,y wife would like a good 5-10 run that shows off the area a it. Suggestions? Thank you.
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Well Tom, you are obviously convinced that none of the issues mentioned are beyond your team's capabilities, so we'll see you soon.
I am often Naive but we are an "I Can" family. If a 4 x 4 can do the trail then we can too. Thanks for your confidence. Our goal is to not have too much of an adventure, but just spend a morning for a few hours seeing the beauty for the area, some wildlife if possible and just explore a bit. A new area is always an adventure.
I have thought a lot about this. The one thing I can come up with is to start at some resort/restaurant places. Frank's Rio Encantado has some beautiful trails, How about Aloutta? You need a 4 wheel drive or great legs to get there, then they have great trails too. There have to be a lot of places I'm missing....maybe someone else can add others.
Tom there is a major news story running for the last month as well about a plane gone missing with everyone aboard -- perhaps now is not a good time to leave home at all especially to travel by plane.
Boquete is safe or safer than many places. Tragedies strike almost everywhere and sadly a recent tragedy occurred in Boquete where two girls have disappeared, but it is not like it has been happening every week. Little credible information about their disappearance is available although there is much speculation. This being said everyone should always be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their families. When I visited Boquete I walked many places and never felt threatened and many will tell you the same thing now I'm sure.
Susan I appreciate your concern. We have traveled to many countries that are much more dangerous than Panama. I am not too concerned and will go with the odds and fate. My kids always tell me that my driving is the most dangerous thing they will encounter and they are probably correct. There is always a chance of a plane going down, but with the thousands of flights each day the odds are against it. Thank you though. If we kept out of any city that had a murder or missing person we would end up staying at home and not going out side of our house. But I agree it is good to be cautious.
The Quetzal Trail north of town would work perfectly. It's really a dirt road from the Boquete side relatively smooth and absolutely spectacular. Bridges over the few streams.
Thank you. When the time gets closer I will ask around to find how to get there.
Perhaps the initial part of the Quetzal Trail would be alright, but there is a fairly long/steep hill shortly after entering the park; for about the first 1 1/2 to 2 hours the trail follows a road back to a house where just before the house the trail breaks off to the left and would be impassable for a wheel chair.
There are a couple of hiking groups that get together and do various hikes. The one that leaves Mon-Wed-Fri may have hikes that your family could do -- the Wed & Fri hikes are posted on here and describe the hike -- some are on roads with some dirt road and trail as well. Decent way to get out and see some of the area.
What we have is really not a wheelchair but has large wheels and we have taken it into the backcountry on many single track trails. It people can walk it, we can do it. It is just a lot of work to do very steep inclines and to carry over large trees and boulders that stick out more than a foot high. I will keep watching the forums and see what comes up as we get closer. Thank you for your input.
David thank you for the response. We have taken my daughter on trails in Belize, Costa Rica, Cambodia, many developing countries. But the most rugged have been in the Rocky Mountains in the States. We can handle going over rocks (6-7 inches), just not huge boulders. If any vehicle can do the trail then we can get her there. We are not looking for paved trials and we have high clearance. Most important we just need a trail 2.5- 3 feet wide and not too steep, though we have taken her to the base of the Tetons in WY, crossed streams and done steep trails, but steep trails are just a lot of work.
Jere McCormick responded too and she looks like a great source of information. The trails pictured on her website look like roads which would be VERY easy. We would like to see some nature, bugs wildlife, etc if possible.
Thank you for the info, Tom
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