On most of my hikes in the local mountains around the Lower Mainland, I find the terrain to be predominantly rocky, bushy and on a mountain slope. I rarely encounter any spots that would be condusive for a tent, being flat and smooth. When overnighting I have sometimes used a bivy bag and tarp which require minimal ground surface. Usually I can find some suitable space within a half hour of trekking.

I would like to start overnighting with my young daugther. For this I am considering purchasing a light 3-season tent (MSR Hubba Hubba or Big Agnes SL2). This will demand a larger and more suitable spot off the trail.

1) Do you have difficulty finding suitable spots for a tent?

2) Where do you find suitable tent spots?

3) Any suggestions for my tent dilemma?

There's no black and white answer for this one. It totally depends.

buy a topo map(if you dont already have one) and look for flatter areas, depending on where you are going, or go to places like jofree or whatever, maybe somewhere not as busy, where you know there are flat spots.

hammocks dont need flat ground

----------------------------------------
Bryan

Whether your bible is 103 Hikes, Don't Waste Your Time ..., or Matt Gunn's Scrambles, the authors almost always identify the recommended camp spots. In the past 6 years of regular trips with my kids, I have always easily found spots that can comfortably accommodate a 2 or 3 person tent.

Starting out with your daughter, you should probably aim for areas that have an outhouse in any event. And if there's an outhouse, there will be a number of regularly used tenting spots.

----------------------------------------
"Aging ... it beats the alternative"

Farmer:

Yes - alone, I use my Hennessey Hammock or merely a bivy bag.

We'll be going to Joffre Lake.

.
.

ChuckU:

I have both 103Hikes and Scrambles, but didn't think of referring to them. Thanks for the tip. Sure enough, 103Hikes had a nice write-up on Joffre.

I dont think you will have any problems at Joffre. I also suggest getting a footprint for your tent, will open a few more avenues when the ground is moist...ie. a slightly raised beach or river bed, these are almost everywhere, flat as well, but are damp and can leak thru the bottom of most tents unless a tarp or footprint is used. Thats just my 2 cents, good luck, have fun.

----------------------------------------
It's not the fall that hurts, it's the sudden stop at the bottom.

If a tent can be setup here then a tent can be setup anywhere