shea
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Post by shea on Sept 21, 2016 14:35:45 GMT -8
Hello, I am a college student who lives in Wisconsin and I'm looking to take a backpack trip this spring during my spring break. I have never done an early spring trip so I'm looking for advice on where to go. I can go probably anywhere in the lower 48. I mean really early spring like late March. I want to go somewhere that is great for backpacking and will have comfortable weather. I'd love to hear our recommendations.
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zeke
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Peekaboo slot 2023
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Post by zeke on Sept 22, 2016 5:56:06 GMT -8
Solo? Have a any ideas about how many days? How many miles per? What is your experience?
At that time of year, the desert SW is a nice place to bp, but it takes planning. Permits for the Grand Canyon need to filed for if you want to hike the corridor trails. Same could be said for Buckskin Gulch, or Coyote Canyon. IMO, look at AZ, and gather some idea of where in that state you wish to hike and make sure you get a permit as soon as they open for the dates you want. The Grand Canyon permit process starts on Oct 20 for March permits. All applications received by Nov 1 are pooled and drawn randomly. This is just an example.
Most of the high country will still be buried in snow. That would include Co, Wy, Mt, Wa, Or, Ca, etc. There would be some areas good for March in some of those places, but it would be dependent on snow levels.
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mk
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North Texas
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Post by mk on Sept 22, 2016 6:20:50 GMT -8
March is also a good time to visit Big Bend National Park. It takes some doing to get there, but it is a beautiful place. And it's pretty cool to sit in the natural hot spring along the Rio Grande. You do have to carry water, although that's probably true of a lot of the desert SW. At Big Bend, you get your backcountry permits when you get there.
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shea
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Post by shea on Sept 22, 2016 12:48:09 GMT -8
Thanks for the replies so far. Our group would be four people plus or minus one. We all have experience backpacking woods and some elevation. Basically as long as there's no climbing involved it we should be good. I would defiantly prefer to avoid snow and below freezing temps. The trip would be about 5 days but I wouldn't be opposed to doing two three day hikes in different nearby parks or something like that.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 22, 2016 16:29:50 GMT -8
Was also going to suggest Big Bend, specifically a trip up into the Chisos and maybe even the Ranchrias Loop. Could combine that with a visit to Guadelupe NP and a hike up McKittrick Canyon.
Aravaipa Canyon would be great in early March. Combine that with a few days in White Canyon. That is some of central AZ 's best terrain and easily accessible from Phoenix.
Closer to home, the Shawnee region in southern IL is great in spring with the waterfalls going and the bugs still absent. Ditto for Missouri Ozark hiking and the well-kept Ozark Trail.
Another cool place is Big South Fork Natl Rec Area in northern TN. Easy drive from Chicago. Tons of trail. Few people.
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shea
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Post by shea on Sept 22, 2016 16:47:15 GMT -8
Great! I'm defiantly going to consider Big Bend and Aravaipa Canyon. Defiantly want to go farther south than Illinois. I was looking at the Southern Alps tho. Have you been there (Big South Fork) in March? Being that I live in Wisconsin, I would like to avoid the snow and pretty cold temps.
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Hungry Jack
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Living and dying in 3/4 time...
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Post by Hungry Jack on Sept 23, 2016 8:43:01 GMT -8
LOL at "southern alps"
Mrs Jack and I did BSF in late March. Temps were fine. We rafted, hike, mtn biked and horsebacked during a week of play. BSF is not in the Smokies (though you can see them from a few choice spots). It's the Cumberland plateau, so elevation is not a weather concern.
Aravaipa is a must do at some point. It's BLM wilderness so you need a permit.
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Post by starwalker on Sept 23, 2016 9:43:32 GMT -8
The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains are quite pleasant with dogwood and redbud in abundance.
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shea
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Post by shea on Sept 23, 2016 11:44:27 GMT -8
Haha, I meant southern apps for Appalachians obviously. I imagine the two are very different. Thanks for all the suggestions
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Post by markweth on Oct 24, 2016 13:14:01 GMT -8
I'd recommend the Big South Fork, some really nice loop hikes down there and weather is usually pretty mild by late March.
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driftwoody
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Take the path closer to the edge, especially if less traveled
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Post by driftwoody on Oct 25, 2016 10:00:36 GMT -8
If you go to BSF don't miss Twin Arches, and awesome geologic feature.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Oct 25, 2016 20:14:11 GMT -8
Way, WAY, WAY back in the day, when I was growing up in IL, we always took our Spring Break trips to the Missouri Ozarks.
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