Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Best 3 day hike in America?

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?

Glacier

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.

Can't do Alaska and the overnight permits are the problem with the GC.

I can't fathom backpacking with three dudes but Glacier would be a safe bet.


Travis

Anywhere on the Appalachian Trail. Just not during the winter or early spring.

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.

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!

A circuit of the Sage Creek Unit of Badlands NP.

"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."

The OP said spring, but not how early in the spring. Glacier's best trails open when?

Pick a spot in Utah.

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.

It's good because no one goes there.

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.

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

here's the link to the spot I was referencing
http://www.havasupaitribe.com/mooney.html

Sawtooths from Stanley to Grandjean??

Pretty much. Esp. in Mid March. Might not be for everyone, but I like it

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