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Post by hailstreak on Dec 6, 2019 19:07:47 GMT -8
Hi everyone,
If you had a week to hike and had never hiked out west, where would you go? That's the question I am asking myself. I'm an experienced solo backpacker who has hiked extensively in the Appalachians (most recently a BMT thru hike) and Florida (where I live). But I've never even traveled out west, let alone done any hiking there. I''ll have a week off next June and am mainly looking for a peaceful solo escape through non-technical terrain with few crowds, but reasonable accessibility. I'm a strong hiker, so I don't mind covering a good amount of distance and elevation. The possibilities are overwhelming. Any ideas to focus my thoughts?
Thanks!
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Dec 7, 2019 3:22:43 GMT -8
June really limits what will be available. Some of the best hiking will still be under snow cover. Coming from Florida, the elevation may take it's toll, as well.
June is too hot for the desert SW, mostly. The alpine granite of the Rockies and the Sierra Mts will still have too much snow pack. I'd suggest something in Oregon or Washington, in the trees, but not too snowy. Look in the area of Mt. Jefferson in Oregon, or possibly Olympic Nat'l Park's Hoh river area.
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Post by burntfoot on Dec 7, 2019 9:06:50 GMT -8
I always consider June the "off season" for hiking. Too much heat most places in the canyon country of Utah, Arizona and southern California. Still too much snow for high alpine areas. Hard to get in a week of continuous hiking in any one area.
But, you can still get in some good day hikes, and could piece together some of those. Trails in the foothills of Colorado or California. Sangre de Cristo mountains of Colorado State parks like Mueller in Colorado Bryce Canyon in Utah Either rim of the Grand Canyon, but HOT down inside already. Lower elevation trails in Yellowstone - my favorite June hike was the Black Canyon in that park.
When it gets to be mid-April through May, start checking out the snowpack in various areas, as well as how quickly the melt has started.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Dec 7, 2019 10:56:24 GMT -8
Oregon and Washington coastal range should be fine in June. I'd go coastal or up the Gorge between Oregon/Washington then. It will also have plenty of hiking terrain. As mentioned, the snow at the top of the ranges will still be present most likely and doesn't usually melt off until mid-July. Of course, I've seen snow packs melt off in June in the past. We should have a better estimate in March.
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Post by hailstreak on Dec 7, 2019 11:47:02 GMT -8
Thanks all for the suggestions. I may have some flexibility in the week I can take off, depending on my work schedule. I'll have a better idea after the new year, but if late April to late July is in play, how much does that open things up? I think late April/early May is the most likely alternative time frame, but mid-late July is also a possibility. I've always thought Olympic National Park would be nice. I'll start looking into that. Sounds like some SW parks could be a good option if I can get out there earlier.
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Post by hikerjer on Dec 7, 2019 15:00:13 GMT -8
I'm with Tigger. The Olympic Peninsula Washington state is great in June.
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swiftdream
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Post by swiftdream on Dec 7, 2019 15:49:22 GMT -8
Early May is he best of times early in the year for southern Utah canyon country. We have done that month a bunch. Keep an eye on he weather but anywhere around Escalante or if the heat comes up early you can go up on Cedar Mesa. From there day hikes are too numerous to count. You can get to Natural Bridges from there for excellent day hiking or down in the many surrounding canyons. You will need a permit for overnights in some canyons. Comb Ridge has amazing day hikes and good car camping areas. That whole area is pure magic but it does begin to get too hot by June up on the Colorado Plateau most years.
If you do go to southern Utah you will become addicted so be forewarned.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 7, 2019 20:06:46 GMT -8
but if late April to late July is in play, how much does that open things up? Welcome to the forum! Considerably! What do you want to see? High mountains? Deserts? Coastal? Rain forest? Late April to late July has many possibilities for a solo hiker. Depending on when you can go and what you want to see, there is so much. Until you narrow down what you want to see and when you time slot is, it is hard to give anything specific.
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Post by johntpenca on Dec 7, 2019 20:23:16 GMT -8
I think late April/early May is the most likely alternative time frame, but mid-late July is also a possibility. Okay, reading that rather than a broad range, I'll leave the April/May time frame to others. Mid-late July? The eastern sierra is my area of experience. Sierra is good, but busy (but not by AT standards). Mid-late July there are a vast amount of places you could go in the sierra. Mosquitoes will be a consideration. Snow won't be bad at lower elevations. Mid-late July for a first timer, I'd pick something in the eastern sierra from Mammoth south. I'm not real familiar with hikes coming from the west side of the sierra, so someone else can chime in. On the other hand, beside the big names in Cali, there other little visited, smaller places like Kaiser, Dinkey Lakes, Monarch, Jennie Lakes and the Dome Lands. They aren't as spectacular as the big name places, but offer a more casual introduction. For the PNW, I'll leave that to tigger . Not my home turf.
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toejam
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Post by toejam on Dec 8, 2019 7:48:02 GMT -8
April - June is early season everywhere, but April is actually still winter in high mountains. Early season also means more mosquitoes.
I took a lot of early season trips to New Mexico. Gila & Aldo Leopold Wildernesses were great in May. Pecos Wilderness is further north and higher - June was great but snow was always an issue in May.
Colorado mountain hiking season starts in July. June can have snow on the trails but fewer thunderstorms.
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Post by absarokanaut on Dec 8, 2019 7:58:14 GMT -8
Mountain Hiking Season also usually doesn't "begin" here until July. The "usual" date for rangers cutting steps on Paintbrush Divide so you don't have to carry an Ice Axe for the whole Teton Crest is July 10th. The Crest is well graded, marked, etc.
Boundary Creek and the Bechler River Corridor is usually best left until later in August. BUGS.
Some folks here actually like backpacking the Winds in June because snow makes some talus areas more manageable, but I'd leave the Winds for another time. I'd also skip my beloved Absaroka if you're not wild about Grizzly Bears.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2019 8:06:19 GMT -8
If you can fly in, the Chamberlain Basin in Idaho's Frank Church River Of No Return Wilderness is a good late June backpacking spot. Small plane pilots can fly you into an Air Strip of your choice.
In June, backpacking along the Selway River is doable.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2019 8:20:23 GMT -8
Doable in June link. You can apply for the permit up to 6 months in advance.
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Post by trinity on Dec 8, 2019 12:57:27 GMT -8
Pecos Wilderness is further north and higher - June was great but snow was always an issue in May. For a June trip, the Pecos would by my suggestion as well.
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Post by hailstreak on Dec 9, 2019 4:31:49 GMT -8
Lots of great info! Right now, I think earlier in the season is more likely, and southern Utah and the canyons have piqued my interest. I'll try to bump up my trip window to late April to late may if I go this route.
I was looking at Zion/Bryce, but it seems that this may be too crowded for my liking. Is this fear justified? I looks like a cant-miss destination in the area, but I'd rather seek out a lesser visited area if there will be hoards of people . How about the Canyonlands NP area?
I'm open to setting up a base camp in a campground somewhere and taking a few day hikes and a couple of overnighters. Considering my unfamiliarity with the area and its challenges, this might be a better idea than a continuous week on the trail.
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