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Post by topshot on Aug 28, 2015 11:57:29 GMT -8
My wife has indicated she'd like to join us (the boys and I) on our vacation next year but is not in very good shape (she had trouble going uphill in the Smokies) so I'm looking at two possibilities, one of which is to find a facility up high that we can use as a base camp (and she can join us on a few day trips perhaps). There are a few criteria in rough order of priority:
1. She'd prefer next to a lake.
2. Reachable by 2WD sedan or within a couple miles hike from parking.
3. Many options for 1-3 day trips above treeline without having to drive
4. < $1000 / week. Prefer to have the facility to ourselves (or herself when we're gone)
5. She'd prefer electricity and running water ideally (but must have at least an outhouse)
6. Somewhere in CO, NM or WY.
I know there are many "nordic" huts/yurts in CO, forest service cabins, homes, etc. that can be rented but there don't seem many by a lake and it's hard to know about #3 as most descriptions have been pretty general about what is "out the front door" so to speak in terms of trails (or other activities).
Any suggestions that can help narrow the search would be appreciated.
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378 
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Post by speacock on Aug 28, 2015 21:04:41 GMT -8
When hikers come to the western mountains, they are surprised that, at times, the trail is uphill all day. Then downhill all the next day and repeated at intervals.
Sounds like she would enjoy exploring a little ways for half a day and then back to more comfort. Finding a 'clutch' of lakes in a cirque or basin would be ideal to putter around in. Getting to it could be a trial for her. There are some 'lodges' that are on a road; more expensive if on a dead end road; more expensive if you hike to their 'tea house' to spend the night there and then explore what is close.
You might explore the use of a pack train with a wrangler who provides it all for you. Build your own toilet seat when needed tho.
It sounds like you will have to do her vacation one year and then do your vacation without her.
I'm guessing it is too late to trade her in?
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Post by topshot on Aug 29, 2015 6:43:37 GMT -8
I'm guessing it is too late to trade her in? Yes, I've decided to keep her after 20 years. While she has backpacked twice now in the past few years, I'm sure she'd be perfectly happy staying in one spot reading while we went off and did our own thing. Her "vacations" the past 4 years have been having the house to herself so she could work in peace while we were gone for 2-3+ weeks.  We may also plan to do other things at some point on the trip like rafting, zipline, maybe an amusement park, etc. |
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,938
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 29, 2015 7:49:02 GMT -8
Mrs. big_load complains a fair bit on the trail, but she always has more fun that she lets on. She just won't admit it until afterward. It would help if it didn't always snow on our trips.
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speacock
Trail Wise!
I'm here for the food...
Posts: 378
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Post by speacock on Aug 30, 2015 6:09:22 GMT -8
I lost my best trail friend and partner due to a hip replacement and other parts nearing end of warranty. She has taken on the 'support' role and in the times I'm on a trail someplace she is putting quality miles on the car gadding about photographing everything in sight, steeping in the history, writing/reading under a tree near a babbling brook, drawing/sketching, antique diving, making all sorts of new friends who she 'captures' on a small digital recorder. All of these she is getting better at, with the 'forced' practice. She spends as much time planning for the 'oot and aboot' part as I do for which trail and how much food. She is never bored - sez her and she gets to eat out anyplace she wants and when. She would quickly become bored in a lodge tho.
And I get a ride to and from trail heads. She can't wait for me to do the PCT so she can 'come along' too.
We trade trip reports.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Aug 30, 2015 6:40:40 GMT -8
A visit with Uncle Bud meets requirements1. She'd prefer next to a lake. 2. Reachable by 2WD sedan or within a couple miles hike from parking. 3. Many options for 1-3 day trips above treeline without having to drive 4. < $1000 / week. Prefer to have the facility to ourselves (or herself when we're gone) 5. She'd prefer electricity and running water ideally (but must have at least an outhouse) 6. Somewhere in CO, NM or WY. 1. Turquoise Lake nearby and large. 2. 4 EZ miles in summer 3. Tree line nearby - Mount Massive Wilderness, Fry Pan Wilderness, Holy Cross Wilderness 4. $33 per person per night 5. Solar Electrical system used for lighting - Bomber solar/chemical outhouse 6. CO
Easy hiking to Galena Peak.
But the best answer maybe this....................!
Redfish Lake, Idaho
Did the family thing here one summer. Great hiking, creature comfort cabins, small boat rental, proximity to the Grand Sawtooth Loop. Great evening ice shows nearby at the Sun Valley outdoor rink. This has everything plus. Guaranteed total family happiness.
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Post by hikerjer on Aug 30, 2015 7:47:47 GMT -8
Consider the Silvergate or Cooke City area in Montana's Beartooth mountains. Plenty of tourist cabins and it's centered right smack in the middle of some of the best high elevation hiking in the country as well as being right next to Yellowstone Park. There are also some high elevation campgrounds- Beartooth Lake and Island Lake, as well as others, in the immediate area along highway 212. Many of the trailheads in the Island Lake are over 9,000 feet do most of the elevation gain is done with your vehicle and the hiking from them is relatively flat considering your in the mountains. Hundreds of lakes in the area, many of them connected by an excellent trail system. Everything your wife could want.
Ah, how does she feel about bears?
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,938
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 30, 2015 8:38:18 GMT -8
But the best answer maybe this....................!
Redfish Lake, Idaho
Did the family thing here one summer. Great hiking, creature comfort cabins, small boat rental, proximity to the Grand Sawtooth Loop. Great evening ice shows nearby at the Sun Valley outdoor rink. This has everything plus. Guaranteed total family happiness.
That's a good one. I was itching to return to the Sawtooths and took Mrs. big_load around the Pettit-Twin Lakes-Toxaway loop. We stayed at Pettit again the night after, and went to Redfish Lodge the next morning for a shower and breakfast. She thought Redfish Lake was wonderful. The hike from Redfish to Cramer isn't too steep, although it's pretty long. It's quite a bit shorter if you take the boat shuttle from the lodge to the far end of Redfish. |
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