Western Backpacking Suggestions

Vince, there are several wonderful loop hikes in Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs and the nearby Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. Accessible from Bozeman, Jackson, or Idaho Falls airports. Great fishing. Downside to NP trips is pre-planning everything, as both of these require permits that are campsite-specific and you'll be there at the peak of the summer tourist season. Pre- and post-hiking accommodations may also be a problem. But wonderful venues. PM me if I can help.

Richard

Idaho is always a great choice! You mentioned Sawtooths and White Clouds.

Sawtooths are great, though you may have some of those altitude issues. The 'Grand Sawtooths Loop' is about 60-70 miles and found in the Lorain book Backpacking Idaho.

The White Clouds are our (wife and I) personal favorites but still potential altitude issues based on your comments. There is a great loop of the White Clouds as well (also in the Lorain book) but there is one spot of either a very steep up (hands needed) or an alternate with steep scree down. If your group can handle a 70-80 yard controlled vertical descent of step-slide two feet, repeat process, the White Clouds loop is beautiful and a bit shorter (~45 miles). You'd fly into Hailey, Idaho Falls or Pocatello, whichever is cheaper – we've had some shockingly varied pricing lately so check both if you visit the most beautiful state in the lower 48 ;)

Both will be good at the time you're planning.

Thanks guys!

Shawn, This might not be an easy question to answer, but how would you describe the differences between the White Clouds and the Sawtooths?

A little more about our group and MO: In Emigrant Wilderness we spent multiple nights in 2 camps that we really liked. One day we just explored lakes and streams in search of trout, and on another day we went off-trail and did some peak bagging. Our motivation definitely wasn't to crank out as many miles as possible. We would probably follow a similar MO on this trip.

It looks like the altitude between both Idaho areas and the Emigrant Wilderness is very similar. In Emigrant none of the altitude issues were debilitating, but some of us experienced mild headaches, trouble sleeping, and we all were breathing harder than we should have been on the uphill sections of our hike. After a couple of days we all adjusted well and felt normal for the remainder of the trip. I am confident that we would do fine in Idaho, but am concerned about going much higher in the CO and UT destinations.

For the Sawtooths and White Clouds would Boise be a potential fly-in destination? It looks like we can get less expensive airfare there compared to Idaho Falls. Would the trailheads be roughly 3 hours from Boise?

Thanks,

Vince

Yellowstone. Do an out and back from the Bechler ranger station. This route is perfectly suited to moving camp every second or third day, with tons of dayhikes to waterfalls and hot springs, and great fishing all over the place. It's a bit lower than other places in the park (read: mostly below 8k) and has very modest climbing, with almost none for the first day or two. No bear cans required, you just hang your food at each site (pole provided).

Apply in advance as soon as they start taking apps in March and you'll get what you want.

Fly in and out of SLC.