Late October/Early November Trip Suggestions

[Cory McArtor]

I'll be taking a couple weeks off this fall after returning from Afghanistan and am looking for a good long hike to relax a bit. Specific places I'm considering are California (anywhere within 8 hours of where I live in SoCal), the Appalacians (anywhere in TN, VA, WV, or PA) or the Grand Canyon.

I'm looking to spend 5-7 days and am willing to do one long trip or two shorter ones. I've done 20-30 mile days in the Appalachians before so any distance from 50-120 miles is fine with me. I know in the Appalachians it would be chilly at night but very bearable, but I'm not sure about the mountains in Cali (only moved there 8 months ago and I've been gone most of it). Do any of you have suggestions?

[Misfit Mystic]

First, thanks for your service in Afghanistan, be safe over there my friend.

Now about where to go. I'm born and bred in the Southern Highlands, and that's about the best time of year to be in my home hills, so I'm a bit biased. However, you mentioned GCNP. If you've never been to the Grand, and especially INTO the canyon, that's the obvious choice to me. Planning trips from the South Rim is easy as the Tanto trail will allow you to link trailheads to create as long a trip as you want. Maybe a loop from New Hance to South Bass? That's about 100 miles. You could use Grandview TH to shorten it, Boucher or Hermit to shorten it further. If you have a week, the shorter loops would allow some exploring on the other side of the river, maybe a trip across Utah Flats to Phantom Creek, or into the Clear Creek drainage, both are spectacular. There's just so many good options in the Grand.

Good luck planning for a great homecoming my friend!

[Cory McArtor]

I've done a couple of daytrips to the canyon but haven't ever stayed overnight or made it to the river. I would absolutely love to spend more time there. The only issue I have with it now is that I may be sick of the desert by the time I get back… I haven't gotten sick of it yet but we'll see.

After some research last night one of the areas I'm leaning towards is the Roan Highlands area of TN/NC. If I go there I can combine it with a trip to visit family in KY/TN and get my family to drop me off and probably get some friends to come with me.

Either way, I'll probably a lot of weekend backpacking trips after I get back so whatever areas in Cali or the Grand Canyon I don't get to immediately I can go on 3-4 day weekends.

[Misfit Mystic]

The Roan Highlands is a favorite of mine; maybe the best views in the southeast. The Humps in particular… if you can arrange a shuttle or pick-up, or if you've got two vehicles and friends with you, Iron Mtn Gap on nc226 to nc19 in Elk park is 30 miles of as good a high-elevation hiking as you'll find in the SE IMO. Depending on how leaf season sets up, the vistas should be rather colorful ;)

[Joshua Stillwell]

Hey there, thanks again for your service! My favorite spot that time of year is actually the trinity alps up in Northern California outside of redding. The granite mountains give the feeling of the high sierra but you are much lower at 4-6k feet so you don't have to worry about early season storms as much.

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