Good early June backpacking areas

All depends on the snow year, drought conditions and so on. Naturally, how many MPD you hike also plays into this, too.

Having said all that, the Pecos Wilderness of northern New Mexico may work quite nicely.

"… wanted to get some ideas for good early June backpacking."

Any particular state? Or just west of the Mississippi?

'lost coast' northern california
no snow to be a problem… but must be coordinated with the tides

b

True about the snow year as there are a lot of places that might be an option that wouldn't on a normal year. My fiancé will be with me and she has never been out west before. I am thinking short days (10 miles per day) since I don't know how she will do at altitude.

I am not specific about which state but I had above tree line and big granite peaks in my head. I did the JMT in 2011, WRR in 2012, and both RMNP and SEKI in 2013.

I live near the great smoky mountains and backpack all over the southeast, so I am looking for something more open with views and love above tree line travel. With her I prefer more on trail travel.

Thanks for the suggestion of Pecos wilderness that may be a good option. I did a google image search and I have to admit that wasn't what I expected. That looks very Colorado-ish which is a good thing.

The sky island and semi-alpine areas in Arizona, New Mexico, and southern Utah are probably a safe bet. Not too hot, not too buggy, reliably snow free. Alternately, some of the wet canyon hikes (Zion Narrows, Aravaipa, Death Hollow, etc) are very enjoyable as you can get as wet as you like and not worry too much about being cold.

In California, even in this low snow year, mid~ June still means snow above the treeline. Snow level right now is around 9000 feet, which is lower than Clouds Rest in Yosemite.

Unless you are prepared to camp in snow, I'd look outside the Sierra Nevada…

We have a list of early season hikes on our website, but they are at lower elevations because of this.

Backpackthesierra.com

I was just in the Pecos Wilderness and its doable. There is some snow as you get closer to treeline and some big drifts above treeline. You could definitely do a good trip though. You might have to change plans to work around snow, posthole a few shady spots etc. but you can get up high and have a good trip.

Colorado on the other hand still has snow. Snow down into the trees at Wolf Creek Pass and lots of snow in the RMNP area visible from Denver.

Edit – I missed that the OP is considering next year not this current year. Pecos might have more snow next year and a bit more would make it a lot harder. Not impossible but you'd have to think about navigating if trails are obscured, possible snowshoes etc.

Lost Creek Wilderness is probably a good bet too.

Yes I am looking for next year. This year I am planning to go back to Wind River Range the first of September.

I know the snow might be different next year but just getting some ideas. I have since found different trip reports from late may in years past that make it look doable. I don't own nor have I ever used snowshoes but I have done some post holing in 12" of snow with drifts to my upper thigh.

I am glad I have asked because I have gotten some good ideas already and would never have thought to look into New Mexico at all. Another plus side is that Pecos wilderness is pretty close to a major airport in Albuquerque and lost creek wilderness is fairly close to Denver.

I ordered the map for Pecos Wilderness yesterday so I will check it out when it gets here. I guess I better worry more about this years trip then next years trip but I am excited about the possibility of going to Pecos next year.

With my Winds trip winding up a few days ago, it is time to start planning my 2015 trip. I still get the feeling that this trip will have to be in early June. I got the Pecos Wilderness map, a large 5.5oz 1:54K monster. I am hoping for a lower snow year so I can get up above tree line and stay there. It looks like the easiest way to get above treeline and stay there for a while is to start at the Santa Barbra trailhead (though it's not the closest trailhead to Albuquerque) and hit Trail 27 then hit the ridgeline at the Divide Trail (#36) and the Skyline Trail. If anyone has any route suggestions let me know. I would like to camp near lakes and have the option to camp with views or duck down into the trees if the weather takes a turn for the worse.

What can I expect for night and daytime temps at 10k feet? I am thinking 70 during the day and 35 at night??????

What about mosquitoes? Will they be out that time of year?

What about other bugs, critters, etc? I usually don't use a net tent except during the worst of the bugs, but my fiance is not a fan of bugs, spiders, etc at all so I am thinking it may be worth the extra 14oz if bugs could be a concern.

Lake basins and drainages all have trees. Weather can be variable (sunny, rainy, hail, etc..),but I've always carry std 3-season gear in June with no issues. It will be mostly dry unless New Mexico gets an abnormally huge amt of snow… but there can be patches of snow (glissaded one near Pecos baldy a few yrs back). Also ran into a weird, small late lingering snowfield I had to traverse by kicking steps one June on the Santa Barbara divide … still wouldn't carry a snow-shovel though. Speaking of snow,recently in the past low snow/drought year, the Pecos has been closed down – far more frequent this decade (so far at least). Keep checking the drought maps.

ed: gr

I think wildfires in the Pecos in June would be your biggest issue. As mentioned above, the forest may be closed after a dry winter, at least until the monsoons start in early July.

When planning your route, keep in mind some areas have burned recently.

So you are saying that the Pecos wilderness could be closed due to wildfire risk?

I assume that I could call and get that information from the Forrest service office and that I should be able to get a reasonable idea of whether it would be closed or not six weeks out (to buy plane tickets etc. – it would suck to fly in and not be able to backpack. )?

Also, I normally use a caldera cone. Should I expect for alcohol stoves to be banned?

I see canisters aren't required. Is there any reason to take one, or is it pretty easy to hang?

Is there a map somewhere of the burn areas?

Thanks!

This decade, the Pecos was closed right after Memorial Day 2011 for fire danger and then again June 2013 for fire danger/actual fire. Last decade, it was closed once in the early 2000's.

The burn area is a slice north of the actual Jack's Creek. It's not much if going uphill from Jack's Ck TH towards Pecos Baldy lake but it rendered the part of the Skyline trail from Winsor Lake to the various intersections north of Panchuelta virtually impassable (might have had some trail maint done, though, so check).