I am interested in taking a trip over my x-mass break, and will probably be leavening from Chicago and returning to Carbondale, IL. I have 1-2 weeks, to blow on a trip and was looking for some recommendations or ideas? I am experienced in backpacking, and winter travel. Any ideas or personal recommendations (very open)?
Luke
The Roan Mountain and Mt. Rogers areas of NC/VA are two terrific areas on the AT to hike. Very beautiful areas.
0101
another spot you may want to check out would be the Florida Trail. Lots of choices along 1300 miles of comfortable walking at this time of the year. www.floridatrail.org will get you to all the info you may want. Have fun.
JDCool
Should you consider the Florida Trail, there are a number of good journal accounts available at Trailjournals.
Wandering Bull did a hike in the winter of 2005.
JDCool
Pariah Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. Look em up, and thank me later. They are connected slot canyons in southern Utah/northern Ariz. Canyon walls thousands of feet tall and narrow often enough to touch both walls. It’s like being on another planet. Also in the area are side trips like Bryce Canyon, Zion NP, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, etc. Tailor your trip to fit your schedule.
Ablejack
Regarding the Florida Trail, be aware that Florida can be hot and humid year round, as there is no real “winter.” Likewise, the mosquitos and fire ants are active 365 days a year.
Itch
I agree with Ablejack, The whole Utah, Bryce, Zion is very under hiked. Amazing scenery and too hot for most people in Summer.
The trip in the Grand Canyon is classic but you may have to get a permit ahead of time. One year, I waited 6 months and the next year, I got one instantly.
Arizona has some great hiking in Winter …good luck
Evil Goat
I go to the southwest almost every winter. It’s cold of course, but not nearly as cold as the mountains. It’s really a great time to go because rather than being unbelievably hot with no water sources and totally crowded, it’s almost empty, relatively very many water sources, and the starkness of the weather can really complement the landscape well.
If you haven’t hiked in the Grand Canyon, it really will blow your mind. It’s not just hype, it’s not overrated at all! 1-2 weeks is perfect for a solid trip there, or you could break it up between that and any number of places, Buckskin and Paria being a good choice (they aren’t too far from there). The Needles district of Canyonlands has great backpacking though it’d be harder to spend that much time there.
Concerning permits, the 6 month waits that the Canyon is famous for are for summer and surrounding seasons when it’s really popular. In winter, permits are no big deal at all. I got one the day of once for a December trip with no problems. You should get it about a month in advance to be safe, but it’s really not a concern this time of year.
I really reccomend the Grand! You won’t be disappointed. Actually, I’m spending about 6-7 days in it during that time with a friend. If you’re interested in joining us, send me an email and we can talk. Peace.
zach attack
The river to river trail only takes two weeks. I completed it from 01-01-00 to 01-14-00. I also had hiking partners and even though we only had a few days of fluries, it still got brutally cold. Other than that, the grand canyon gets another vote.
Go Saluki’s!!
Scott
TurkeyBacon02
Yup, the canyon gets my vote…go to the Arizona Trail site and check out the hikes i have done there and i have 3 more already paid for on the books… its easy to just show up and go that same day if your open to a few different possibilites.
meadow ed
Only SOUTH FL is hot year round. The Panhandle, north FL and sometimes Central FL can be down right COLD in the winter. I can remember having on 3 layers and still being cold last February. – There are not ants and skeeter everywhere.
Hammock Hanger