Stretching the Shoulder???

Arizona is the obvious destination. But first, what do you mean by 3 season?

Assuming you mean down to freezing or a bit below, I'd head to the Grand Canyon. The rim is snowy and cold, but once you get lower, the weather is much milder. Say, down Hermit to the Tonto, over to and up Tanner.

The south AZT would be perfect that time of year. The shuttle logistics are a but daunting, but that could be sorted out.

Death Valley is another place that is sublime, mild, and uncrowded in the dead of winter.

Grand Canyon +1

The Tonto Trail; Hermit to Red Canyon Beach and then Escalante Route is an excellent suggestion.

I hiked the Tonto last November. My trip report will give you a sense of what to expect.

It's kind of important to consider whether your gear is on the summer spectrum of "three season" or is it gear suited well to the two non-summer seasons. It's not hard to stretch fall gear into winter, but summer gear in winter is something else.

If you're ok with rain, you can hike the california coast year round. Since you're willing to travel, the Baja peninsula has some fantastic hiking.

Thanks guys!
Here's my basic shelter/sleep/rain setup…

Shelter:
– GG SpinnTwin tarp, LT4s as bivy poles

Sleep System:
– GG 1/8 thinlight pad (2/3) + Thermarest Z-lite (1/3), glued together
– VAPR Quantum Bivy
– BPL Cacoon PRO 90 Quilt
– Nice toasty long wool socks
– Patagonia cap 2 long johns (under hiking pants)
– EMS First Ascent insulated jacket (over merino wool hoody)
– Polartec / neoprene watch cap & gloves

Rain Gear:
– Dri Ducks jacket & MYOG tyvec rain kilt

Footwear:
– NB 865s, LL Bean hiking socks, gobs of hydropel (!)

I've taken the sleep setup down to mid-30s and stayed pretty toasty, so I'm trying to stay above or just at freezing. Rain is OK (I'm British). Do you think my setup will work for Dec/Jan on the routes you suggested? My only nervousness would be the quilt being warm enough… perhaps I need to invest in some micro-puff pants and an extra top or a balaclava or something?

Any and all ideas & expertise highly appreciated. Cheers!

Along the Tonto, should a winter storm blow through the canyon you can get daytime snow, and night time temps into the 20's. If you have experience at those temps with your sleep system then you should be okay. If not you may want another layer.

Another challenge will be the tarp. Many of the camp areas you'll find along the Tonto are sandstone ledges that don't take kindly to stakes. Bring along extra guyline as you'll frequently be tying off the rocks. On the other hand, nights are likely crystal clear and you can sleep out and enjoy the stars.

+1 to the grand canyon. The california coast is certainly longer than 100 miles, but I am not sure were there is a continuous 100 miles of wilderness. You could do a loop of the lost coast (by the sea and then the upper trail) through sheltered cove to the other side.,, but my memory is that would only be 64 miles or so.

There are a number of trails in the south. I haven't been on most of them. I would expect http://www.floridatrail.org/ would be doable with 3 season gear.

–Mark

James, I'd want a bit warmer bag for the GC (or the southern AZ mtns) for late Dec-early Jan. You could be fine, but you could also be pretty darn cold. For the Death Valley lowland you'd be fine.

I'd second the advice on stakes along the Tonto, they'll won't do much good. Plenty of rocks, though.

Winter is my favorite season in the Grand. Nice and quiet, and the storms and clouds can just be incredible. If you go, bring extra cameras batteries. My wife and I are hoping to do a trip in the western GC in January.

I too would bring a warmer setup.

Thanks, guys… some great advice/info. I'll let you know what I decide to do. Cheers, James.