Mid-June Backpacking Ideas (CO, NM, UT, AZ)

[Kevin R]

Driving west with a friend June 14th-21st and we’re looking for areas to hike and camp.  Ideally we’d like to assemble a smorgasbord of 1-2 night backpacking trips around Colorado, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico. I know that snow levels have been high this year, so high elevation locations are off the table.  We also want to avoid getting fried in the lower elevation areas.  Any recommendations on trails in that middle ground?

[Ralph Burgess]

Canyonlands is usually getting too hot and dry by mid-June, but with the amount of moisture around this year, the water sources are likely still good.   The Needles area has more spectacle per mile than any other place I’ve hiked.   Mileages are short to get around, so high temps should be bearable.   The most fun spot to camp is Elephant Canyon, and it’s available.  I’d say go there for a couple of nights and use that as a base to hike around.   You will usually find big potholes of water up the side arm that branches off toe the SE directly opposite the EC2 campsite, where the trail goes up toward Squaw Canyon.   Or you could camp in Lost Canyon, there’s usually a good stream there.   Take plenty of water when you hike in just in case; it’s not too far to hike in, so you always have the option of turning around and heading back out if its totally dry.   But don’t necessarily be discouraged if the rangers are extremely negative about water, they (understandably) don’t usually confirm water sources because there are too many idiots.  Elephant Canyon after a storm:

You can book permits here:
https://canypermits.nps.gov/
This should give you the Canyonlands – Needles forecast at 5500′ elevation.
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-109.80658657855992&lat=38.09468710852647#.XPhF7tNKjOQ

Near me in NM, Bandelier National Monument is a good spot for a 1-2 nighter at intermediate elevation.  It will be snow-free.  The petroglyph & dwellings area is busy with tourists, so and you have to take a shuttle in the last few miles because of that, but once you get on the trails & among the canyons you will find solitude.   I can suggest a good route and campsites if you decide to go.  Permits are walk-up.  The museums nearby in Los Alamos (Manhattan Project) are worth visiting.
This should give you the Bandelier forecast at ~6000′ elevation:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=35.7884&lon=-106.3028#.XPhGVNNKjOQ

 

[Ralph Burgess]

….

[Kevin R]

Thanks Ralph, these look great.  I had looked at Buckskin Gulch a couple years ago for a winter trip, but decided against it due to the wet feet and freezing temps.  But, that would be great this time of year.  Canyonlands also looks great. Thanks!

[Author]

Posts