littlerunneryogi
Trail Ready!
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.
Posts: 12 
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Post by littlerunneryogi on Jun 25, 2019 8:10:12 GMT -8
I'm celebrating my 40th birthday with a solo backpack trip this year. I'll be traveling sometime during the last two weeks of October, no earlier than 10/10 and no later than 10/27. I'm looking for a 40+ mile backpack route, preferably in the mountains, that would not run the risk of snow disruption. I've mentally counted out Colorado and Montana mountain trips due to the time of year weather risk, but if I'm wrong, tell me! I was thinking Arizona or New Mexico, but am open to any suggestions. Would love to hear what you've done and loved during that time of year!
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desert dweller
Trail Wise!
Power to the Peaceful...Hate does not create.
Posts: 6,291 
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Post by desert dweller on Jun 25, 2019 9:30:01 GMT -8
I was thinking Arizona or New Mexico, but am open to any suggestions. Would love to hear what you've done and loved during that time of year! Hi littlerunneryogi. A couple of questions. -Are you acclimated for high elevations? The mountains in southern Arizona get up to over 9000 feet. -Are you looking for a loop type of hike where you return to your vehicle or will a one way hike be possible? One hike I'm thinking of is part of the Arizona Trail which will go from relatively low elevations (3000 to 4000 ft), up and over a 9000 foot mountain. The distance is 42 miles. Here is a link to the Arizona Trail Association's page. link The trail passages I'm thinking of are 11, 12 and 13. The starting trailhead is at the base of the Catalina Mountains and the end is near the town of Oracle. The AzTrail webpage is detailed and should answer your questions. Feel free to ask any questions here. There are lots of possibilities. Another is hiking some parts of the Gila Wilderness in southwestern New Mexico. |
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littlerunneryogi
Trail Ready!
When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.
Posts: 12
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Post by littlerunneryogi on Jun 25, 2019 9:35:03 GMT -8
I spend a few weeks in Colorado hiking every summer and have never had trouble with altitude, though I'm a flatlander. I don't expect I'd have trouble at that elevation. I will definitely check out the AZ Trail Association link, thank you!! I tend to prefer loops for logistics, but am definitely open to a point-to-point as long as I can get a shuttle back to a car or other transportation arrangements to civilization again.  Thanks for the suggestions! |
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Post by bstark on Jun 25, 2019 11:25:03 GMT -8
You could look into the Gila in New Mexico for that time of year. Much different than the Rockies but quite beautiful. Be aware that many places you will backpack in October will probably have hunting seasons going on.
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Post by hikerjer on Jun 26, 2019 18:23:19 GMT -8
I’d head for southern Utah. Lots of opportunities down there.
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Post by cweston on Jun 27, 2019 4:53:48 GMT -8
If you want "big mountain" hiking, I'd look at the Pecos Wilderness in northern NM. I'm not sure what the snow situation typically is in October, but it seems like it'd probably be OK.
Otherwise, I endorse the suggestions of the Gila Wilderness or southern Utah. You could do the whole Middle Fork Gila canyon, which is about 50 miles.
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