Recommendations for multi-day hiking trails?

[judders87]

My friends and I are looking to get permits for some multi-day hiking trips out west. Anyone have recommendations for places in case that doesn't pan out? Our favorite so far has been the great Sawtooth wilderness loop. Minimum of 3 days max of 7 is the type of trip we are looking for. TIA.

 

[ben h]

I've only heard of backpacking/camping permits in national parks, you can go pretty much anywhere else without permits. If it has permits, it'll probably have more people, of course could be some really cool places too.

 

[judders87]

I've only heard of backpacking/camping permits in national parks, you can go pretty much anywhere else without permits. If it has permits, it'll probably have more people, of course could be some really cool places too.

Yeah we were looking at Glacier National and doing the Wonderland Trail around Rainier. Both require permits. Just want to get plans B, C, D in order in the very likely case we don't draw.

 

[Caseknife]

Wind River area in Wyoming, no permits required, probably not lots of people, may be a bear or two in the northern area, Alpine Lakes in Central Washington, permits required-too many people, Chelan Sawtooths on the east side of Lake Chelan, north-central Washington, no permits, not many people unless hunting season, Paysaten Wilderness, north-central WA, big country, may be a newly relocated griz or two, Selway Crags in north-central Idaho, big country, lots of cross country off trail, and the list goes on. Personally I would stay away from the permitted areas because that is an indication of way too many people for me.

 

[magtech]

If youre bored and cant make it out west just do the North country trail. That will keep you busy in your off time.

 

[P Carter]

Maybe take a look at Andrew skurka’s high routes.

edit: realized your experience/fitness levels aren’t clear. Carefully consider those before choosing.

Four pass loop near Aspen would be a good easy one. I’m not sure if permit required for overnight stay. (We ran it in a day.)

 

[Zach75]

I've only heard of backpacking/camping permits in national parks, you can go pretty much anywhere else without permits. If it has permits, it'll probably have more people, of course could be some really cool places too.

There are a lot of areas in national forests that require overnight permits.

 

[BluMtn]

Besides the Washington areas you can also look at the 7 Devils area around Riggins Idaho or the Sawtooth range in Southeastern Idaho. If you are going to play around with the Idaho mountains just know that you will be playing in the 12K to 14K elevation ranges.

 

[wesfromky]

Bob Marshall Wilderness probably has some options that would fit what you are looking for.

 

[judders87]

Maybe take a look at Andrew skurka’s high routes.

edit: realized your experience/fitness levels aren’t clear. Carefully consider those before choosing.

Four pass loop near Aspen would be a good easy one. I’m not sure if permit required for overnight stay. (We ran it in a day.)

Definitely will look that up. Wind River sounds like a fun hike.

Fitness wise our group has done 45 miles in two days with 20,000 ft of elevation change so we can almost do any trail.

 

[TaperPin]

Definitely will look that up. Wind River sounds like a fun hike.

Fitness wise our group has done 45 miles in two days with 20,000 ft of elevation change so we can almost do any trail.

Wind rivers used to be fun - social media, especially FB groups, now list cooridinates of every scenic spot to stand, every boulder to stand on while wiping out what few trout remain, and all the flat spots to pitch a tent. You’ll have a dozen new friends to listen to. I’d be tickled if there were a way to limit the crowds. Paying people to stay home and go backpacking during Covid was a horrible idea and we are still paying for it. If social media is doing the same to the brains of our kids that has been done to our best wilderness areas, we’re doomed.

 

[flyfisher117]

I really enjoy the Beartooth Absaroka wilderness.

A lot of it is day hikes but with some creative planning you can really chain some of them together and extend a trip. Lots of little lakes up on the plateaus.

 

[Customweld]

Besides the Washington areas you can also look at the 7 Devils area around Riggins Idaho or the Sawtooth range in Southeastern Idaho. If you are going to play around with the Idaho mountains just know that you will be playing in the 12K to 14K elevation ranges.

We don't have any 14;s in Idaho. Borah is the highest at 12,662.

 

[Randle]

Malla rd larkins wilderness or Seven devils in Idaho are good trips

 

[BluMtn]

We don't have any 14;s in Idaho. Borah is the highest at 12,662.

You are correct. I was thinking of Colorado when I was thinking of 14er's. Idaho has Borah at 12, 7 Devils sits a little above 9 and the Sawtooth's are a little over 10. Good catch Customweld, thank you.

 

[Pharmseller]

Are you confined to trails? No bushwhacking?



P

 

[jags]

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/solitude-trail-038

Cloud peak wilderness in the Bighorns.

 

[judders87]

Are you confined to trails? No bushwhacking?



P

Trails tend to be a little more scenic

 

[Caseknife]

Trails tend to be a little more scenic

Only if you are following the scads of spandex clad hotties

Below timberline off trail may not be as scenic, but definitely can be more scenic above timberline.

Little story, my main hunting partner and best friend I met in college. Asked him if he would be interested in a weeklong backpacking trip the next fall before class started, he agreed. Brought my planned route in the next week to show him, he asked where the trails were, "well we start on this trail and follow it about 5 miles, then it is cross country from then until the end of the trip and we hit the trail again." He said that in the Boy Scouts they always stayed on trails. We had a blast, sit in camp in the evening and look over the topo maps and scan the ridge above to see if the route is doable. We had many trips like that.

 

[cnelk]

Hell, the CDT (Continental Divide Trail) goes from Canada to Mexico.

Pick a state