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Favorite route in the west
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Feb 14, 2008 at 12:15 pm #1227297
I'm planning a trip out West with some friends (I'm in Atlanta) and am looking for a 40-70 mile loop in mountains. I would love to hear what everyone's favorites are.
Feb 18, 2008 at 7:16 am #1421005All I have to say is….
Alpine Lakes Wilderness
Feb 18, 2008 at 9:14 am #1421014AnonymousInactiveRae Lakes Loop, Kings Canyon, CA.
Feb 18, 2008 at 10:09 am #1421026WOW…That's magical!
Feb 18, 2008 at 11:08 am #1421032High Sierra Trail – 71 miles
Feb 18, 2008 at 11:48 am #1421035Tonto Trail, GC
Feb 18, 2008 at 5:56 pm #1421061Hmm… loop cuts a number of good options out. While not quite a loop, I would suggest South Lake to North Lake in on the eastern side of the sierras. It's not a classic "loop" going in and out the same trail head, but the trail heads weren't that far apart… something like 5 miles apart. When I did it some nice day hikers gave me a lift so I didn't end up hoofing it between the trailheads. This hike goes from South Lake through Bishop pass, down to JMT, Over Muir Pass, through Evolution, Over P? Pass, and out to South Lake. There are a number of variations, especially if you do a bit of cross country. Alas, don't have good picture, camera died the last time I did this trip.
–Mark
Feb 19, 2008 at 11:11 am #1421142My favorite hike in the Northern Rockies fitting the mileage description you requested would be in Glacier National Park. Bowman Lake trailhead to Brown Pass to Hole-in-the-Wall to Boulder Pass, finishing at Kintla Lake trailhead.
Feb 19, 2008 at 11:26 am #1421145the Tonto trail at sunrise blew me away
Mar 2, 2008 at 7:52 pm #1422802My favorite area in Washington State is the Glacier Peak area (and we have a lot of great areas). I haven't done the hike, but I can tell that a loop which included going over Spider Gap and Buck Creek Pass would be fantastic (everyone who has done it has said so). This would include Image Lake (one of the more photographed spots on the planet). Since the big storms have damaged a lot of the trails, this is the easiest way into the lake.
There is a lot of up and down (the Sierras are much kinder on your knees). Unlike a lot of areas, you don't need to worry about reserving campsites. I would recommend late July to early August. By then the snow will have mostly melted and the flowers should be in full bloom.
If you get on http://www.nwhikers.net, you can find plenty of people who rave about the hike and offer advice and tips (I'm sure some of the folks on this forum can do the same). Allow time to explore little peaks and side trails as well.
To give you an idea of the area, I googled for pictures and came up with this: http://bobrat.weblogger.com/stories/storyReader$1434 (I don't know the people). They went in late August, so they didn't have to worry about snow or bugs too much. If you go in early August, you'll have plenty of bugs, but wildflowers that will be superb.
Mar 4, 2008 at 10:18 am #1422961AnonymousInactiveI'll bet you came out over Paiute Pass, Mark. Very nice route you picked, BTW.
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