Posted: 8/13/2026 12:31:06 AM EDT
[Last Edit: kevhogAZ][Edited]
|
Wife and i would like to take a week or so, and do some hiking away from Arizona. Looking for thing within a two days drive from Phoenix, with preferably water. Lakes, rivers, streams or maybe even a glacier?? Was looking at Rocky Mountain National park, in late September. But, we hate crowded trails, and the less people the better. Scenic with water would be perfect. some place around that far away, would be ideal. (8-900 miles away) Any ideas, or suggestions?? We can both do over 10 miles here in AZ, so trails in that range would be perfect. No overnights, we 're glampers and enjoy sleeping in our trailer!! What do you guys got?? |
Looking back I realize, nothing have I done
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
|
SW Colorado has fewer hikers and crowds than RMNP and other sites closer to the front range (Denver). Silverton, Durango, Telluride, Grand Mesa.... lots of good choices. |
Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent much of his life studying statistical mechanics, died in 1906, by his own hand, Paul Bhranfest, carrying on the work, died similarly in 1933, Now it is our turn to study statistical mechanics...
|
|
|
I just wrapped up a 4 day 31+ mile hike in the pioneer mountains of central Idaho. Wanting to see a glaciers on a 10 mile day hike is asking for a lot. I have hiked the tetons and glacier NP, short of glacier I'm not sure it can be done. Maybe Colorado but I have little experience there The spot I just hiked didn't have glaciers but there was left over snowfields and we had no crowds, actually for the most part we had zero people from Saturday to Tuesday. 10 miles at low elevation with zero elevation gain is a whole nother animal versus 10 miles at 8k+ with 4 plus K elevation gain. We did over 9k elevation gain and bagged 2 summits in the local area. Saw mountain goats and some really nice mule deer and caught a bunch of brook trout, rainbow and cutthroat trout. |
|
Originally Posted By WWolfe: SW Colorado has fewer hikers and crowds than RMNP and other sites closer to the front range (Denver). Silverton, Durango, Telluride, Grand Mesa.... lots of good choices. Seconded. Silverton/Ouray/Telluride - Much less crowded, beautiful blue lakes. The tradeoff is needing to plan ahead with groceries and a cooler (Ridgeway is likely the closest real grocery store, its what I use when I'm out there) and many good trailheads require Subaru to 4runner clearance to get to the end. The highland Mary trail has views of a really unique vista that is my favorite in the whole state. (https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/highland-mary-trail-loop/photos) Durango has a narrow gauge railroad you can take on a rest day. See the mountains via steam engine. |
Joined:
Jul 2026
Posts:
6
EE: 0% (0)
VA, USA
|
Gila national forest is nice. There are trails to hike and it definitely seemed to be a quieter and less frequented national forest if thats what youre looking for. It doesnt necessarily have the water youre looking for though. The Gila river seemed to be the largest body of water. Not a far drive from Phoenix. I was going to second others saying MT, but seems thats out of your driving range. More power to you if you choose Durango. On my bucket list of destinations. |
|
@kevhogAZ I know this is an older thread, but Eastern Sierra in CA. Id find one of the lakes or valleys above Bishop, CA, like Convict, Sabrina, South Lake, North lake, with a campground near by that works for RV's, then hit the trails. See if Rock Creek works too.. at the end of the road is Little Lakes Valley.. one of my most favorite strolls into the Sierra. Tons of day hiking from most of those areas. Not far from Mammoth either. Bring your trout gear for Rainbows, Brooks, Browns, Goldens, and Cutthroat |
|
Originally Posted By freeride21a: @kevhogAZ I know this is an older thread, but Eastern Sierra in CA. Id find one of the lakes or valleys above Bishop, CA, like Convict, Sabrina, South Lake, North lake, with a campground near by that works for RV's, then hit the trails. See if Rock Creek works too.. at the end of the road is Little Lakes Valley.. one of my most favorite strolls into the Sierra. Tons of day hiking from most of those areas. Not far from Mammoth either. Bring your trout gear for Rainbows, Brooks, Browns, Goldens, and Cutthroat That's one of the places on my list. I grew up in Northern Cali, and would like to take my wife to see some of the amazing sights away from the coast, and I-5. |
Looking back I realize, nothing have I done
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
|
Originally Posted By raimius: Up near the Valles Caldera in NM is beautiful. Not sure about camping areas up there, as I've only flown through the area. And the Longmire cabin is in the caldera proper too, if you watched that show. |
|
Originally Posted By raimius: Up near the Valles Caldera in NM is beautiful. Not sure about camping areas up there, as I've only flown through the area. I looked it up, there's all kinds of camping and hiking in that area. Another one to put on my list. |
Looking back I realize, nothing have I done
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun
Left to die with only friend,
Alone I clench my gun