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Post by sharper on Nov 12, 2020 12:53:36 GMT -8
I'm wanting to plan a trip for spring 2021(May-June) but I'm not real sure where to start. My group of buddies and I did the Teton Crest Trail a few years ago and are looking for something similar but different locale, scenery, etc. Zion, Arches, Grand Canyon, and Yosemite are a few of the places I'm thinking of assuming they're all doable in the spring. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
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Post by cweston on Nov 12, 2020 13:27:29 GMT -8
May-June is actually a tricky time: the mountains are still buried in snow, but it’s also becoming extremely hot in canyon country. In later June, especially if its a low snow year, the CO or NM Sangres are an option, also possibly the San Juans.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Nov 12, 2020 17:40:22 GMT -8
As a Grand Canyon vet, I'd say even early May was pushing it. It has been known to be 100º by Mother's Day. I did the Narrows in Zion one May, and we were lucky the water levels worked in our favor. You need to be flexible there, as snow melt can change the river quickly. You might be able to put a week together in Southern Utah, but it will be warm. Buckskin Gulch, Coyote Gulch, plus something else in the neighborhood. Try to get permits for the Wave, and Buckskin all in the same area. You'd have time to do another night or 2 after those trips and fill your week. Lots of worthy day hikes in the area. Peek A Boo Slot Canyon is just one.
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Post by burntfoot on Nov 12, 2020 21:07:37 GMT -8
What the others said.
If you want canyon areas, aim for mid-March through April.
If you want high mountain areas, mid-June through July is good.
I live in Colorado, and consider May and early June my "off-season."
During those times, I look for obscure trails that are not that high, but high enough so as to not be too hot.
Mostly day hikes during those weeks, as there are very few places for longer trips.
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Post by sharper on Nov 13, 2020 6:09:08 GMT -8
Hmmm, thanks for the info. We did the Tetons in September and I was going to consider doing Maroon Bells Four Pass Loop around the same time of year but some scheduling hiccups has changed things. I figured the mountains were out for a May-June timeframe which is why I was thinking canyons/southwest. If locale wasn't an issue but we were stuck with the May-June timeframe; are there any other solid backpacking routes elsewhere you would consider?
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Post by cweston on Nov 13, 2020 6:23:54 GMT -8
If locale wasn't an issue but we were stuck with the May-June timeframe; are there any other solid backpacking routes elsewhere you would consider? A few ideas of mountain locations for early trips (June, maybe. Probably not May): Great Basin NP, Pasyaten Wilderness (in WA, on the dry side of the N Cascades), Gila Wilderness in southern NM (both canyons and mountains there--you could create several different types of trips depending on weather and snow conditions).
I did a canyon trip in mid-May in the Gila once--the highs were in the upper 80s to low 90s, which was not too bad.
By late June of most years, a lot of different mountain locations are possible, if you can handle snow navigation/travel, high/fast stream crossings, and possible mosquito apocalypse. |
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null
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Post by null on Nov 13, 2020 10:52:32 GMT -8
I did in canyon trip in mid-May in the Gila once--the highs were in the upper 80s to low 90s, which was not too bad. If you hike along the Gila River, you'll be crossing it repeatedly which works towards cooling you off. Plus, it can still be pretty cold at night. |
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Post by cweston on Nov 13, 2020 11:04:25 GMT -8
If you hike along the Gila River, you'll be crossing it repeatedly which works towards cooling you off. Plus, it can still be pretty cold at night. Right--we did the Middle Fork, all the way. It was my first real canyon hike: we eventually learned to hike until about 1:00, take a siesta and/or swim in the heat of the day, and continue in the later afternoon. I think April (or October) would be more ideal for a Gila Canyon trip, but it's still a good option for early May. I'd maybe look at a loop involving both the West and Middle Forks. If the forecast is for really hot temps, you could shift gears to a trip more in the Mogollon Mts. The Gila is a very remote place--I'd love to make it back some day. |
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Post by burntfoot on Nov 13, 2020 21:51:31 GMT -8
For that time of year, what about something in the Appalachians?
I'm thinking that might be pretty good in May.
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Post by sharper on Nov 17, 2020 12:01:28 GMT -8
burntfoot This is also a thought that's crossed my mind. Maybe better off finding something local(midwest) or heading towards the other coast. I would assume there are some "loops" people have done incorporating the AT. I'll look into that.
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Post by burntfoot on Nov 17, 2020 19:11:11 GMT -8
Sharper, also being from the midwest (Wisconsin) I would have recommended parts of the Ice Age Trail. But, then I remembered that the times you mentioned are bad for humidity and mosquitos in Wisconsin, as well as ticks. Isle Royale might be a good possibility, but also with mosquitos. My best guess for a Midwest location would then be the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. But, I still favor the central Appalachians.
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Post by cweston on Nov 18, 2020 6:10:25 GMT -8
My best guess for a Midwest location would then be the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan. Unfortunately, June is black fly season in the UP, and it can be pretty brutal. May may be OK, depending on the weather. I think Memorial Day to 4th of July is the typical season. I don't remember if Isle Royale has them: it's been 40+ years since I was there. |
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jazzmom
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Post by jazzmom on Nov 18, 2020 11:51:12 GMT -8
May is easier than June. I would look at Utah -- Capitol Reef, Moab (Arches, Canyonlands), Escalante (Grand Staircase).
On the other side of the country, mid-Atlantic, like the Smokies, Big South Fork.
I think Michigan is easier, more predictable, in late summer into fall.
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Post by absarokanaut on Nov 18, 2020 12:41:03 GMT -8
With all due respect to Jazzmom even with higher elevation the Muley Twists at Capitol Reef could be HOT the first week of May. I've been to the Needles in Canyonlands the second week of April and it has been in the mid 80s and HOT out of the wind on the slickrock. Unless you can go on the fly with a cooler weather forecast I would not target the Colorado Plateau beyond April or before the end of September if not into October.
I think looping the Gila is a decent possibility but even that can get hotter in May but with the water cooling off is usually manageable. Appalachians SHOULD be a good bet but the worst "winter" conditions I've ever seen anywhere in the world were on Algonquin in the Adirondacks the 2nd week of May. I swear it was snowing straight up from the ground, but that was 45 years ago. You might message Walkswithblackflies as he knows his 'Dacks. The Pemi Loop in NH's White Mts. might be OK Memorial Dayish. I also love the AT from Glencliff to Lincoln and Lafayette and end trip down the Old Bridal Path to Franconia Notch. BUGs could be a serious concern anywhere in the Northeast. If COVID is lingering I wouldn't want to be on the potentially crowded AT, etc.
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Post by hikerjer on Nov 18, 2020 16:11:08 GMT -8
Olympic National Park may be a possibility.
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