Help!! Permits Denied!!

I think the Winds could be a good answer for what you are looking for. If you start at the Boulder trailhead you can head south along the Highline trail for a couple of days, get over to the high route for several days of epic travel going north, then back to the Highline to return to the trailhead. There are lots of options depending on how strong your party is and how comfortable you are with off trail travel. A loop here also offers a lot of flexibility, if you are moving well you can stretch it a bit, if you are slowed down it can be trimmed without changing the heart of the trip. If you do go to the Winds the later in the season you can manage the better, the skeeters can get bad in July. A couple of good resources are "Climbing and Hiking in the Wind River Mountains" by Kelsey and "Beyond Trails in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming" by Pallister. For maps the Earthwalk Press Hiking Map & Guide are great for planning, get both, North and South. If you are interested I would be more than happy to share some specific ideas and experiences with you, it would give me something to play with while I am waiting for my vacation to roll around.

I did this lat August last year and it was beautiful and glorious. I grew up in Alaska and have done some all time classic trips there and this fit in nicely with the only difference being more people on the trail.

You will not regret the trip.

I was in a similar boat as you a few weeks ago and decided on a section of the Colorado Trail. San Luis Pass to Molas Pass. Flights to Denver are cheap through Frontier and the Colorado Trail only requires walk in permits to be filled out and carried with you.

With that said, I think the Wind Rivers would be a more scenic trip(although the Collegiate West loop area may rival it). One reason we chose this trip is so we could also check out some of the mountain towns such as Telluride, Ouray, Silverton, etc.

Ryan

You will be happier in the winds i think! Epic trails, some of the best hiking I've ever done (and I've been all over the world) and a lot fewer people than you would get on the Wonderland or Glacier.

No permits – literally just drive up and start walking wherever you want, including a lot of relatively easy off-trail stuff.

I too have been all over the globe an the Winds are second to none, although Patagonia is pretty sweet as well but isn't an option based on your criteria. ;-) There are a number of loops and figure eights that can be done for an 8-10 day trip and the recommended guide book should get you started.

Many thanks to you all, and since I'm from the South I think that's supposed to be a plural for "all y'all". This is exactly what I was looking and hoping to receive..enough expertise not to call me an idiot, provide me with a healthy dose of confidence, and a volunteer to help me figure it out.

George – Looking at your previous contributions (you know what you're doing) and the awesome backpack you created, I'm going to take you up on your offer of help. Can I PM you to get started?

Ryan – Thanks for the Colorado Trail suggestion. I've heard wonderful things and will definitely put this or some variation on the bucket list…good suggestion.

Happy Trails – Russ

Russ, please do, I would be more than happy to share with you. As your trip takes shape be sure to post it up here again, a lot of BPL'ers know and love the Winds and would be happy to get their two cents in.