I'm going camping!!

April 17, 2008 1:38 PM

5-day spring backpacking recommendations in the western US.

I live in Southern Utah and while the backpacking here is awesome, it's time for a change. Will the hive mind please recommend trips within one long days drive (12-18hrs) from home (Cedar City, UT)? The trip will be taking place in late May. Bonus points for loops. I really prefer loops. Doesn't need to be five days exactly, I could turn a three day into a five day no problem. Google isn't helping and though I've picked up some suggestions from Mefi I need more. Thanks in advance.

posted by itsamonkeytree to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (10 answers total)

I've done great 4 and 5-day loops in the Gila National Forest in NM, and Superstition Wilderness, southeast of Phoenix AZ.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 1:41 PM on April 17, 2008

There's always the Arizona Trail, which goes from Utah clear down to the Mexican border. Not a loop, but there's an endless amount of trail to wander around.
posted by ph00dz at 3:10 PM on April 17, 2008

It would be a bit of a stretch but the Wonderland Trail can be covered in 5 days if you're up for it. Or do half and take your time and arrange for a shuttle back to your car.
posted by trinity8-director at 4:49 PM on April 17, 2008

Momma sed i wood half truble if'n i didunt lirn two reed proper.

May is way too early for Mt. Rainier hiking.
posted by trinity8-director at 4:50 PM on April 17, 2008

I'll second MC - I've done 2 five day loops at the Gila and they were a blast. The weather should be no problem - I was there in late March and hit some snow high up, but it wasn't enough to do more than slow us down.
posted by langeNU at 4:53 PM on April 17, 2008

What about the w in Kings Canyon National Park? According to Google Maps it's about 10 hours from Cedar City and it's a loop!
posted by billtron at 5:02 PM on April 17, 2008

What was that? I meant the Rae Lakes Loop.
posted by billtron at 5:05 PM on April 17, 2008

Oh, and I hiked in Gila in March, and only saw an inch of snow. It's great too.
posted by billtron at 5:06 PM on April 17, 2008

The Rae Lakes Loop is a very nice trail, but I would expect that it is snowed in until July or so.
posted by elmay at 5:09 PM on April 18, 2008

You might check out these answers. I think Bandelier is your best bet -- that 3 day hike we were going to do is a loop, and doing it in 3 days meant one was going to be pretty long, iirc. If you can't find the hike, drop me a line and I'll dig out my book.

The other place you might look is the Eastern Sierras or Death Valley. Those should be within driving range, but I don't know of any specific hikes that'd suit you (the Eastern Sierras tends to be up and back).
posted by salvia at 8:46 PM on April 18, 2008