hiker seeks places to flee winter

[forestgnome]

My wife and I have decided to become snowdirds in the future for the months of February and/or March. Winter is just to long.

Florida will not do. We'd like to be near a national park with mountain hiking so we could live our preferred lifestyle. We don't want hot weather, just comfortable, perhaps 50s/60sf. We don't like dessert, but then again, we have no experience out west so our perceptions of SW dessert regions are probably inaccurate.

We need to keep generating some income. We'll rent our house to snowlovers, but I'll need to pick a temp. job like bartending, etc., wherever we go.

So, VFTTers with experience in the SW, what say you? Thanks!

happy trails

 

[Oldsmores]

I've always thought that Northern Arizona/Southern Utah was ideal. Not too hot in summer, not a ton of cold or snow in the winter, forested areas, peaks, canyons.
I've not been to Northern New Mexico yet, but plan on checking that out also.
OR, western North Carolina/eastern Tennessee

 

[marty]

FG - my wife and I loved the Palm Springs, CA area last week - great weather and plenty of desert mountain hiking - see TR and pix: California Desert hiking

You could also still do winter hiking up the higher summits like Mt. San Jacinto, should you develop a longing for the snow.

Regards,
Marty

 

[Waumbek]

Washington State, Olympic National Park west of Seattle, which has fabulously different ecosystems, including rain forests, if you don't mind rain and can find a job there.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

By eliminating desert areas, you're eliminated most of the SW if you're looking for 50's/60's for temps and near mountains.

Frankly, I can't think of place in the US that's has no snow, is in the mountains and has February & March temps in the 50's and 60's. Will be interested to see if anyone knows of such a location within your parameters.

 

[marty]

By eliminating desert areas, you're eliminated most of the SW if you're looking for 50's/60's for temps and near mountains.

Frankly, I can't think of place in the US that's has no snow, is in the mountains and has February & March temps in the 50's and 60's. Will be interested to see if anyone knows of such a location within your parameters.

I can't think of anywhere either. You might want to give deserts another chance. My wife and I was pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed it! Where we were, the daytime highs in the valley were in the upper 70's to low 80's, but we found it very comfortable and the evenings were cool. It's also 20-40 degrees cooler as you head up to higher elevations.

Marty

 

[blacknblue]

We don't like dessert, but then again, we have no experience out west so our perceptions of SW dessert regions are probably inaccurate.

You don't like dessert?! I love dessert -- ice cream, apple pie, chocolate cheesecake... Mmm...

The only place I can think of that has mountains without snow in Feb/March is the southwest desert region. Perhaps southern Utah could be really fun -- not the highest mountains, but the variety of amazing hiking terrain will keep you busy. (Just don't read Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven" and wander into any small towns.) Between Canyonlands, Arches, Zion, Grand Escalante, and a number of State Parks, there's a lot of exploring to be had.

Otherwise, you have to settle for LA, Phoenix, or some other sprawly cookie-cutter community. I'd rather be in a small town in southern Utah. (well, maybe)

 

[DreamFarmer]

Laughlin, Nevada-a very small casino town (at least it was 10 years ago) ,plenty of work for "snow-birds".

 

[DougPaul]

I suggest that you visit the SW before crossing it off--the area can be fantastically beautiful and is very different from the NW.

Doug

 

[pudgy_groundhog]

I would reconsider the US Southwest.

Otherwise, I would try the southern hemisphere.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

How about the southern Appalachians or the Ozarks, which do not get much snow in the winter, at least in most winters? The mountains are similar to the Whites in regards to moisture, vegetation, etc.

 

[forestgnome]

Ooops, this was supposed to be in "Q@A".

Thanks for all these responses so far. I am mostly thinking of the sw. Actually, I'm a bit excited thinking about exploring an unfamiliar habitat. I just started web surfing about the area and I can't wait. I don't need super high mountains, just a big np with resonable temps and DRY GROUND!!!

 

[forestgnome]

How about the southern Appalachians or the Ozarks, which do not get much snow in the winter, at least in most winters? The mountains are similar to the Whites in regards to moisture, vegetation, etc.

Very good idea. The parameters are there with lush forest and nice temps!!!

 

[Paradox]

You could also pick up copies of "A Walk in the Woods" and "Trek" on DVD and a 12 pack of Heiniken.

 

[marty]

FG,
Speaking on behalf of many on this board, please continue to send us winter TRs and photos!

 

[bobandgeri]

We have friends in Tucson that reallyt enjoy this time of year there and get out hiking a lot.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Snowbirds

We want to rent your house next winter. How much? Seriously. We'll only use it weekends.

I suggest Western North Carolina, too. Much milder winters. They do get snow, but not like here. Plenty of work. I have cousins in Asheville. It's beautiful and unlimited hiking is minutes away.

Also, if there is more than 6 inches of snow everything shuts down until it melts. If you say snow tire, snow plow or anything of the like, people look at you like you're from another planet.

KDT

 

[Frodo]

I'm a huge fan of the Northern AZ/NM area. Forrests, mountains, canyons, and with relatively mild winters (compared to our standards). The people there are also much more layed back than in the NE... Hard to run out of places to explore there, and if you do, it's not too far to Southern CO or Southern UT, or to the deserts in the south...

When I retire (in 25 years), it's going to be a toss up between Santa Fe, Flagstaff, or Killarney Ireland...

 

[Tim Seaver]

How about the southern Appalachians or the Ozarks

The Smoky Mountains of TN/NC are one of my favorite haunts. The air quality can be bad on some days ( much like some of the desert areas like Joshua Tree) which can be a real drag for scenic photography, but the variety of plant and animal life is astounding.

Take a Peek

 

[Snowflea]

Frankly, I can't think of place in the US that's has no snow, is in the mountains and has February & March temps in the 50's and 60's. Will be interested to see if anyone knows of such a location within your parameters

Ventura County, California, an hour up coast from LA sprawl fits the bill. The climate is Mediterranean. I've lived here for a year and a half and can attest to the fact that Jan., Feb., and Mar. temps regularly fall within the 50-75+ degree range during the day. Summertime temps remain in the 60-80 degree range here on the coast. (If you go inland, that's a different story!) Since I've lived here, I've worn tights running exactly once. It's shorts year round - woo hoo! The temp. at my home, 3 miles from the ocean, has never fallen anywhere near freezing since I've been here which allows, among other things, three strawberry harvests per year.

As for mountains, we have the Santa Monicas which get into the 3000+ foot range (with miles & miles of incredible trails) as well as the Santa Ynez/Los Padres Mtns., with peaks higher than Mt. Washington, an occasional dusting of snow and, again, oodles of miles of trails. Venturing further inland and south are the San Gabriels; admittedly, the higher peaks such as Mt. Baldy at 10000+ ft. WILL have snow in the winter. If I really want to play in the snow, the Sierras are only 3-4 hours away.

Yes, you do have to deal with more people and traffic (people want to live here for a reason!), but it's nothing like LA or Boston. And if you know where to go to get away from the masses - small towns like Ojai, for example (was up there running in the mtns. just today... yes, in shorts), you might just have a different impression of Southern California.

Sue

PS: The San Diego (may I suggest Julian?), Santa Barbara, and San Francisco Bay Areas (talk about trails!) of California would also fall within the original poster's parameters although the latter's temps would be cooler. All have plenty of mountains and trails and, I'm sure, no shortage of bartending jobs.