Peakbagr said:
The San Juans are beautiful, and you'd be able to string together any number of great trails in Colorado. The John Muir trail in California is wonderful.
Regardless of where you go, you might pay attention to the snowpack. They've had tons of snow out west. If you plan on going high, July might find the higher trails and routes more snow-free.
Peak bagger is correct Just got a email about the deep snow pack . It has it's advantqages though . It does make climbing some couliors and makes for fast descensts if you are skilled with self arrest using a ice axe. That being said .
The San Juans are very bueatiful
Peak bagger is correct Just got a email about the deep snow pack. It has it's advantages though. It does make climbing some couliors and makes for fast descents if you are skilled with self arrest using a ice axe. That being said.
The San Juans are very beautiful rugged and more remote than other Colorado Ranges. One of the best hikes in that area is Chicago Basin. . If you intend to climb 14,0000 ft peaks in the Needle Mountains you should have basic mountaineering skills. All but 2 or 3 San Juan 14,0000 ft peaks are at least class 3 climbs. Often on loose rotten rock sometimes there is serious exposure. .
One thing you should be aware of is that many of the trailheads are at the end of 4x4 roads so if you do not have a high clearance 4x4 you will either have a longer hike or have to stick to areas that do not require a 4x4 to reach the trail head.
The trails in the Rockies out side of national parks are not as prominently marked as other areas . Often the signs for trail heads are small and ar right at the road or trial he with out ny sign letting you know you are approaching
There are some very nice hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park some are ranger led. The same can be said about both Grand Teton and Yellowstone NPs.
One fairly popular hike in the Elk range is to hike a loop over the high passes. Many consider the Elk range to be one of the most exquisitely beautiful places in North America. . Once again the 14, 000 and high 13,000 ft peaks are difficult class 3 – 4 or 5 climbs on semi technical to technical routes that are not marked people die on these mountains every year,. . There is a amazing amount of wild flowers Fravert Basin is a huge alpine basin full of wildflowers marmots, elk, pikas, birds, mule deer and mountain goats. are of all sorts even a rare cougar It is a good long day hike from eithe Aspen / Snomass or Crested Butte
I will be in that general area in late June. . I might be able to offer advice or even a hike .
Regardless of where you go there is spectacular scenery.
The area around Aspen has lots of bike trails as does the area near Sun Valley Idaho .
