After 3.5 moderately stressful years of working my butt off after university, I'm taking some extended time to drive across the U.S. from Ottawa to Napa Valley, California and then back. I want to do this trip slowly with _a_lot_ of camping and hiking (real camping and hiking) not car camping.
Google Maps' proposed route is here. I'm planning to take a lot longer than "1 day & 21 hours"!
I've done a LOT of serious exploring in Canada over the last 10 years, but know little to nothing about the U.S.
So, that in mind, I'm hoping for recommendations from the BPL community about where to go, and what to do along this route. I'm game for extended backcountry treks. Although I do have to make mileage in the car, I'm planning time for a few 5-7 day extended missions in the backcountry and a lot more 1-2 day stops. I also definitely want to climb a few mountains that don't require too much technical stuff / hardcore mountain climbing gear (Snow shoes and crampons are gear I already own. There's no problem with snowy/wet/messy – I deal with that all the time :) ).
At the moment all I know is that I'm definitely going to Yellowstone National Park, and probably spending a full week there so I can get into the backcountry away from the cars. Everything else is up in the air!
So what are the highlights BPL members recommend for an avid backcountry enthusiast driving across the US of A? I know this is a bit open-ended, but I gotta start planning somewhere…
These are the states I'm likely to drive through; deviations that take me away from the route are not only no problem but are, in fact, encouraged!
–Michigan
–Illinois
–Iowa
–Nebraska
–Colorado
–Wyoming
–Utah
–Nevada
–California
On the way home I'm heading North to Vancouver Canada, so I'll pass through
–Oregon
–Washington
And then return East along the border.
Thanks in advance for any of you that take the time to make this trip as great as it can be!
