Ideas for May trail 200-300-ish miles, Western US?

[Andrea Feucht]

I’m looking for some spring inspiration beyond the AZT, basically.

Would like to take on a 200-300+ mile trail that is mostly snow free by early May. A single contiguous trail would be nice, but a worthy out & back is an option for logistics, etc. I live in Utah and don’t want to travel more than a few states away, ideally.

Much thanks! :)

[PaulW]

At that time of year, a chunk of the Hayduke, GET, or AZT seems reasonable. Also, have a look here for some other routes –  https://simblissity.net/get/

Although “only” 150 miles long, you could also check out the Kokopelli trail from Fruita, CO to Moab, UT. It’s mainly a mountain biking trail, but folks do hike it.

 

[Larry S]

The Owyhee Canyonlands section of the Oregon Desert Trail is usually snow-free by May:

https://onda.org/regions/oregon-desert-trail/

[Brad Rogers]

If you decide to venture further east (a lot further) the Benton McKaye Trail in GA/TN/NC is 300 miles.  The Long Trail in Vermont is probably a good option too.

[HkNewman]

The Hayduke is pretty rough requiring caches iirc.  The GET seems a bit more doable, though parts of AZ closer to Phoenix would be pretty hot by then (most of AZ is in a low desert while NM is high desert, so the former will be hotter in late spring).

Depending on the weather maybe the AZ line going into the Gila area of the GET.  Alternatively taking the CDT from Lordsburg to the Gila and maybe back is something to consider?  Not sure if there’s an easy exit going north or east on the CDT/GET going out north of the Gila though.

If next May is warmer, consider an “upper New Mexico loop”

[Andrea Feucht]

Beautiful ideas – thank you, and keep them coming! Definitely am now considering Oregon as well as an out & back on Mogollon rim trail.

[Author]

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