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Post by mountaindreamer on Sept 18, 2016 16:37:50 GMT -8
Looking to do a 5 night trip in May 2017 with my daughter who has hiked a little but is athletic. I have hiked lots in the Smokies. This will be a prelude to the JMT hike togther in 2018. Thanks for suggestions.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Sept 18, 2016 17:05:58 GMT -8
Do you have snow shoes ?? May is the peak month for snow pack depth in Colorado. Expect 5-10' of snow on most trails above 9-10,000" aka anything in the "Mountains". A 5 night backpacking trip in Colorado is a no go in May unless you're prepared for serious snow camping. The temps will be "mild" but the snow will be deep.
The bulk of the trails in Colorado don't really even melt out enough for backpacking until July.
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Post by mountaindreamer on Sept 18, 2016 17:42:41 GMT -8
great info. Thanks. We will postpone until July.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Sept 19, 2016 6:41:43 GMT -8
A wise Choice. What are you looking for? Geat views? Fishing, solitude? Climbing opportunities? Will you have a car/truck (what kind)?
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Westy
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Post by Westy on Sept 19, 2016 7:04:06 GMT -8
You may not find good backpacking but by end of May there are a smattering of of peaks you can summit. These would be identified by trails with southern exposure and most likely day hikes vs. overnighter. If it must be a May backpacking, I'd recommend southeast Utah or Arizona. I don't think the terrain is critical for a preparatory trek prior to embarking on a long-distance hike. For us the critical pre-long distance trek would focus on: - Do I like my footwear?
- What can we discard for weight savings?
- Can we achieve the daily mileage target planned for the future hike?
- What is the demonstrated fuel usage of our stove?
- Our we efficient in setting up and take down of the tent?
- Does the pack fit?
- What gear would we change? i.e. Water purification, pack, stove, sleeping pad, etc.
- What did we forget?
- Have we sorted out a feasible re-supply process if applicable?
- Do we have minimal proper and effective clothing?
- Super Important: Do we like the food choices and variety, variety, variety?
- Mission Critical: Will my partner and I still be friends?
- Lessons Learned: Prepare a post-hike improvement list
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Post by mountaindreamer on Sept 19, 2016 14:13:11 GMT -8
Lamebeaver we will be in a car, probably my daughter's Outback. I'm looking to park at the trail head and do a loop hike. Views would be great.
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Post by larrys on Oct 14, 2016 11:05:25 GMT -8
Two trips that I have been on in Colorado that are great break-in hikes are the Four Passes Loop around the Maroon Bells in Aspen and the semi-loop hike taking the train out of Durango getting off at Elk Creek and hiking back to the Chicago Basin going over Hunchback Pass, down Vallecito Creek, up Johnson Creek to Columbine Pass and into the Chicago Basin. Then when you are ready to leave hike down to train and catch it back to Durango.
The views from Columbine Pass are world class.
You will love the JMT, a highlight for me in my backpacking experience.
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Post by absarokanaut on Oct 15, 2016 11:35:31 GMT -8
Where are you coming from Dreamer?
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Oct 15, 2016 12:59:14 GMT -8
The 4 Pass loop and the Chicago Basin are both spectacular. But they are also apt to be crowded, especially in July. I'd think about doing something elsewhere in the Weminuche Wilderness, or in another, less popular range, unless you don't mind crowds.
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Post by larrys on Oct 17, 2016 7:34:21 GMT -8
Gosh I sure would not let the term crowds keep you from going to either of these two places. They are "crowded" because they are world class. When we did the Four Passes Loop we encountered folks during the day but always camped by ourselves at night. On the train loop you will have some folks the first night if you camp near the duck ponds four miles up Elk Creek but if you push on further you will have the entire hike to yourself until you drop into the Chicago Basin. Most folks camp in the lower portion of the basin to have easier access to the 14ers. If you camp in the upper portion of the basin you will likely find it much less crowded and in some cases all to yourself.
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