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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,510 |
OK, me and three guys are attempting to do a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike in the spring but it appears the odds of getting the permit are long. So, we are trying to find a backup plan. Those three guys are not big outdoorsmen so 'the wilds of Alaska' are not an option. What would you suggest from any first hand experiences?
NRA Lifer "It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare." - Mark Twain "Everybody has principles... until they are an inconvenience." - Me
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 26,389 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2011
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,498 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,498 Likes: 1 |
Do a south rim (via the Kiabab Trail) to river to south rim (via the Bright Angel Trail) hike. Then drive up to Manitou Springs and climb Pike's Peak via the Barr Trail.
Every day on this side of the ground is a win.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,510
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,510 |
Can't do Alaska and the overnight permits are the problem with the GC.
NRA Lifer "It is curious that physical courage should be so common in the world and moral courage so rare." - Mark Twain "Everybody has principles... until they are an inconvenience." - Me
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13 |
I can't fathom backpacking with three dudes but Glacier would be a safe bet.
Travis
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 11,299 Likes: 3 |
Anywhere on the Appalachian Trail. Just not during the winter or early spring.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,498 Likes: 1
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18,498 Likes: 1 |
...and the overnight permits are the problem with the GC. You don't need overnight permits to do a south rim to river to south rim hike. You don't have to overnight in the canyon to get it done.
Every day on this side of the ground is a win.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
There are several cross park hikes in Glacier National Park that are spectacular. I did 2 of them (in 1960 and '61) on Glacier trail-crews and they are indeed well worth the trip. go for it!
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738 |
OK, me and three guys are attempting to do a rim-to-rim Grand Canyon hike in the spring but it appears the odds of getting the permit are long. So, we are trying to find a backup plan. Those three guys are not big outdoorsmen so 'the wilds of Alaska' are not an option. What would you suggest from any first hand experiences? A circuit of the Sage Creek Unit of Badlands NP.
Save an elk, shoot a cow.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287 Likes: 1 |
"Best 3 day hike in America?"
You're kidding, right?
There is no such thing as "best"... there' just a variety of diamonds with different colors.
Personally I don't consider anything inside the borders of a NP "best."
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 13,234 |
I can't fathom backpacking with three dudes but Glacier would be a safe bet.
The OP said spring, but not how early in the spring. Glacier's best trails open when?
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,546
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738 |
Personally I don't consider anything inside the borders of a NP "best." Generally, I would agree with you, but BLNP is an exception, esp. in the early spring (mid March). And this is just a 3-day affair.
Save an elk, shoot a cow.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287 Likes: 1
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 30,287 Likes: 1 |
It's good because no one goes there.
“Perfection is Achieved Not When There Is Nothing More to Add, But When There Is Nothing Left to Take Away” Antoine de Saint-Exupery
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,519 |
The issue with Glacier is that at any time those cross-park trails can be shut down due to high grizzly bear activity. I worked there for a summer and tried to do the High Line 3 times and it was always closed by the time I got to the trail head. To be honest, having lived and worked in Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton plus lived in Wyoming and Colorado for 40 years, If somebody asked me where to hike, I'd pick one place- The Cirque of Towers in Wyoming's Wind River Range. One day to Big Sandy. One day to day hike to the Cirque and one day back. 5 miles to Big Sandy and not far from there to the Cirque. There are hundreds of lakes in the Winds.
Last edited by WyColoCowboy; 11/28/12.
"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,683
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,683 |
I like Havasaupai Falls, day in, spend the night, explore the falls next day, hike out the 3rd day.
it's part of the GC but the Havasaupai Indians run it, google their website and call early, the office seems to run on Indian time.
it was a great trip for me and momma and our two sprouts, 14 and 10 at the time
I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,683
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20,683 |
here's the link to the spot I was referencing http://www.havasupaitribe.com/mooney.html
I'm pretty certain when we sing our anthem and mention the land of the free, the original intent didn't mean cell phones, food stamps and birth control.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,375 |
Sawtooths from Stanley to Grandjean??
A vote is like a rifle; its usefulness depends upon the character of the user. Theodore Roosevelt
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 11,738
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2002
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It's good because no one goes there. Pretty much. Esp. in Mid March. Might not be for everyone, but I like it
Save an elk, shoot a cow.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 498
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 498 |
WCCowboy- My favorite BP destination. Did the whole WR range from Flattop to Big Sandy back about 1973. 2 Weeks on the trail--the Highline Trail as I recall. We BP'ed several years in there--my new wife had really never been camping, much less BPing. She loved it and it became an annual trek for years. I recognized some of your pix as soon as I saw them. Could drink the water back then without filters/boiling...changed now but was cool not to have to carry more than a pint of water till you reached the next small stream for resupply. Took our 2 boys on their 1st BP there as well. Many good fishing streams and lakes...learned to love fly fishing there. Thanks for those pix.Great memories.One point on a Spring trip...I took my brother and 2 of my students in in late May/early June and snow banks were still 4-5 feet deep in the shadows. Had to pack out and back to Pinedale to rent snowshoes. Yeehaaaa! that was a fun new experience. Wish I hadn't gotten old...would like to go back to some favorite spots. I hope you enjoy it as long as you can. I envey your access to that great country. Best, Joe
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