Life

Three generations complete hiking challenge

Ben Clayton

By , Published: July 12, 2012

Inspired by the possibility of earning a "White Squirrel Patch" while attending the first annual CMLC Octoberfest atop Bearwallow Mountain, 6-year-old Ben Clayton convinced his dad, Joseph Clayton, and his grandfather, Ben McKenney, to join him in taking the CMLC Hiking Challenge.

Always ready for a challenge, little Ben set out to complete all eight hikes during the month of June, before turning 7 in August. The three-generation crew completed the last of the hikes on June 27. Little Ben said the last hike, the East Fork Headwaters-Foothills Trail, "was really, really hard, but I am glad I will get the patch."