If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would you?
Forum rules
- This is a mountaineering forum, so please keep your posts on-topic. Posts do not all have to be related to the 14ers but should at least be mountaineering-related.
- Personal attacks and confrontational behavior will result in removal from the forum at the discretion of the administrators.
- Do not use this forum to advertise, sell photos or other products or promote a commercial website.
- Posts will be removed at the discretion of the site administrator or moderator(s), including: Troll posts, posts pushing political views or religious beliefs, and posts with the purpose of instigating conflict within the forum.
-
godsnthemtns
- Posts: 69
- Joined: 4/9/2012
- 14ers: 28
- Trip Reports (0)
If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would you?
If you could back pack anywhere in the US for a week where and what would you do?
It use to be about proving me, now it's about being me and seeking HIM! Nature is where we are reminded how small we are, but how great we can be with HIM!
-
Matt Lemke
- Posts: 775
- Joined: 1/9/2011
- 14ers: 58 8
- 13ers: 116 11
- Trip Reports (13)
- Contact:
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
Ptarmigan Traverse in the N Cascades
Lemke Climbs
The Pacific Coast to the Great Plains = My Playground
"Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping"
"When you come to face what you fear, let the creator guide you"
The Pacific Coast to the Great Plains = My Playground
"Take risks not to escape life, but to prevent life from escaping"
"When you come to face what you fear, let the creator guide you"
-
RoanMtnMan
- Posts: 738
- Joined: 3/23/2008
- 14ers: 45
- Trip Reports (19)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
More info on your preferences would help. My wife and I would recommend the Kalalau Trail on Kauai. But it ain't exactly roughing it, bring rum and very little clothing. In CO, Glacier Gorge has to be up there. Havasu Trail in the desert. The Teton Loop in WY. Buff River in Arkansas. May Lake loop in Yosemite, if you are fortunate enough to ever get a permit. Presidential traverse in the northeast. And anywhere on the AT in the South, especially the North Carolina sections.
Edit: I would expect the ptarmigan ridge traverse is incredible, but there may be a snow issue for a while, they actually got some up there this year, in fact more than any range in the lower 48.
Edit: I would expect the ptarmigan ridge traverse is incredible, but there may be a snow issue for a while, they actually got some up there this year, in fact more than any range in the lower 48.
Always follow the 7 P's. Proper Planning & Preparation, Prevents Piss-Poor Performance.
"An adventure is misery and discomfort, relived in the safety of reminiscence.” --Marco Polo
http://www.CalebWrayPhotography.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
"An adventure is misery and discomfort, relived in the safety of reminiscence.” --Marco Polo
http://www.CalebWrayPhotography.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
-
climbing_rob
- Posts: 1152
- Joined: 5/24/2010
- 14ers: 58
- 13ers: 121
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
The southern half of the John Muir Trail from Bishop CA to the top of Mt. Whitney (then down to Whitney Portal t/h). About 100 miles. Most beautiful trail in the USA, hands down.
-
Brian C
- Posts: 1308
- Joined: 2/26/2008
- 14ers: 45 5
- 13ers: 19
- Trip Reports (25)
- Contact:
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
It'd be a tossup. Wander the Maze District in Canyonlands or the West Coast Trail in BC (not the US I know). Probably the West Coast Trail.
-
ChrisG
- Posts: 39
- Joined: 10/10/2011
- Trip Reports (0)
- Contact:
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
1. I would like to hike the continental divide (the actual divide where possible, not the CDT) from TWO OCEAN CREEK (located in WY, south of Yellowstone & whose waters flow to BOTH the Pacific & Atlantic Oceans) around the Cub Creek Plateau to Togwotee Pass, then continue on to Lake Of The Woods, which looks like it is in its own basin (accd. to USGS topos) & finally to THREE WATERS MOUNTAIN, whose waters flow to the Columbia, Colorado & Mississippi Rivers;
2. I would love to climb TRIPLE DIVIDE PEAK, which is in Glacier Nat'l Park, MT, from the WEST. When I was a kid I was able to climb up to Triple Divide PASS from the east, but unable to summit due to its sheer 1,000' rock face above the Pass. But coming from the west looks a lot easier, & could make a circle back to camp;
3. I want to hike "The Bob" (the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. MT) so I can see the CHINESE WALL for myself;
4. Being a proud Arkansawyer, I want to climb MT. ARKANSAS, Colorado. I live about 130 miles from where the Arkansas River empties into the Mississippi, so I would also love to see the upper end of my River where it is in its infant stages. Speaking of Colorado, I want to climb HEADWATERS HILL, too.
2. I would love to climb TRIPLE DIVIDE PEAK, which is in Glacier Nat'l Park, MT, from the WEST. When I was a kid I was able to climb up to Triple Divide PASS from the east, but unable to summit due to its sheer 1,000' rock face above the Pass. But coming from the west looks a lot easier, & could make a circle back to camp;
3. I want to hike "The Bob" (the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. MT) so I can see the CHINESE WALL for myself;
4. Being a proud Arkansawyer, I want to climb MT. ARKANSAS, Colorado. I live about 130 miles from where the Arkansas River empties into the Mississippi, so I would also love to see the upper end of my River where it is in its infant stages. Speaking of Colorado, I want to climb HEADWATERS HILL, too.
Last edited by ChrisG on Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:23 am, edited 1 time in total.
"Is there any need to offer proof that this odious perversion of the law [socialism] is a perpetual source of hatred and discord; that it tends to destroy society itself? If such proof is needed, look at the United States [in 1850]. There is no country in the world where the law is kept more within its proper domain: the protection of every person's liberty and property. As a consequence of this, there appears to be no country in the world where the social order rests on a firmer foundation."
- - Frederich Bastiat, 1850, http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html
- - Frederich Bastiat, 1850, http://bastiat.org/en/the_law.html
-
SuperiorTrailHiker
- Posts: 244
- Joined: 8/27/2010
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
The Superior Trail would be a favorite even if it wasn't near by, but I'd really like to hop on the John Muir. I'd also like to both climb Rainier and go around it on the Wonderland.
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
Excuse my Colorado bias here, but I'd forgo traveling halfway across the country and simply spend a week wandering in the Weminuche Wilderness. I've yet to see anywhere as heart-achingly beautiful. You could throw in any number of mountains, but even the nonsummit hikes are breathtaking. Anyone who spends a day in Silverton owes it to themselves to do the Highland Mary Lakes Loop.
“There are two kinds of climbers: those who climb because their heart sings when they’re in the mountains, and all the rest.” - Alex Lowe
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
"There have been joys too great to describe in words, and there have been griefs upon which I cannot dare to dwell; and with those in mind I say, 'Climb if you will, but remember that courage and strength are nought without prudence, and that a momentary negligence may destroy the happiness of a lifetime. Do nothing in haste, look well to each step, and from the beginning think what may be the end.'" - Edward Whymper
-
lordhelmut
- Posts: 2310
- Joined: 2/24/2006
- 14ers: 50 21 5
- 13ers: 300 60 1
- Trip Reports (73)
- Contact:
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
+1climbing_rob wrote:The southern half of the John Muir Trail from Bishop CA to the top of Mt. Whitney (then down to Whitney Portal t/h). About 100 miles. Most beautiful trail in the USA, hands down.
-
Collaborator
- Posts: 11
- Joined: 7/13/2007
- 14ers: 53
- 13ers: 2
- Trip Reports (0)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
Not my first choice but I need to get away from NYC for th weekend. Can anyone suggest a good weekend backpacking trip (8-12) miles within 2-3 hours of the city. I moved here from CO last year and need to find some nice weekend backing get aways.
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Yabbadabbadoo!
-
TravelingMatt
- Posts: 2204
- Joined: 6/29/2005
- 14ers: 56
- 13ers: 435
- Trip Reports (2)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
Glacier NP.
(That's a response to the OP, not the post above mine. Hard to get from NYC to Montana in under 3 hours.)
(That's a response to the OP, not the post above mine. Hard to get from NYC to Montana in under 3 hours.)
You never know what is enough until you know what is more than enough. -- William Blake
-
jrbren_vt
- Posts: 672
- Joined: 2/18/2006
- 14ers: 14
- 13ers: 29
- Trip Reports (2)
Re: If you could backpack anywhere in the US... Where would
I agree for me it would be the John Muir Trail. It is very beautiful; however, way too much competition for me to use the term "hands down". My hand is sure up for several regions, North Cascades, Olympics, Wonderland Trail at Mt Rainier NP, Maine (AT), San Juan and/or Elks Region of CO. But no other place has the combined beauty and high probably of good weather in the summer time. I would not try to hike 100 miles in a week. Way to many side trips on the JMT would need to be passed up. Last summer some friends of mine did the whole thing north to south. I joined them for the last week from Onion Valley to Whitney Portal (I was also their supply restock agent). This was about 50 miles. We took a day off to fly fish and relax, another to do a side trip to Tawney point. There are many 13ers and some 14ers to attempt as side trips as well. If I had another week to back pack I would pick another quarter of the trail that I have not hiked yet. The whole thing takes about a month on average. Obviously you can push the pace and do it in less (I wouldn't), or take as long as you want. I don't really even care which quarter. Yosemite is obviously the most famous. But my friends raved about (I think) Evolution Basin as being among their favorite spots. I would like to go back and try Mt Tyndall some day.
I have never been to Alaska, that's probably a whole nuther can o worms.
I have never been to Alaska, that's probably a whole nuther can o worms.
*****************
Best Regards
*****************
Best Regards
*****************
