Recommendations for a backpacking trip.

In My Humble Opinion
1

I’m hoping to organize a backpacking trip for myself and two relatives this coming summer. We haven’t yet decided where we’re going to go. Our limitations are:

[ul]
[li]The trip will last about five days, certainly not more.[/li][li]It will probably be in the continental United States. (The closer parts of Canada might be a possibility.)[/li][li]As far as how strenuous it can be, we’d be looking to avoid extremes, such as temperatures over 100 degrees. We’d generally want to avoid altitutdes over 12,000 feet, at least for prolonged periods.[/li][/ul]

I’m interested in hearing about any trails, anywhere in the country, that anyone particularly likes, or would recommend.

2

In my area, there’s a good 3 day trip on the Skyline To The Sea Trail.

3

I like looping through Toulumne Meadows - Tuolumne Meadows Campground - Yosemite National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

You can leave you car in the valley, take the bus to Glacier Point (so you don’t have to go up any inclines if you are out of shape a bit), loop the rim, camp up high, automatically get a Half Dome permit with your wilderness pass, and see the sights of Yosemite Valley from up high.

Alaska is in the Continental US FYI…(Sorry - lived there, had that driven into my skull).

4

Are you experienced backpackers? Otherwise a 5 day trip is probably about 3 days too long.

5

Yikes, I could literally name dozens of places that would fit your very limited requirements. You don’t mention travel distances, remoteness, elevation gains, etc so we’ll make some assumptions.

Remote and exotic:

  • Wind Rivers, WY
  • John Muir Trail, CA
  • Mt Rainer, WA
  • Canyonlands, UT

More traveled:

  • Pemi Loop, NH
  • Baxter State Park, ME
  • Shenandoahs, VA
  • Long Trail, VT
6

I’ve done Desolation Wilderness. Magical place and no crowds.

7

There are plenty of routes through Yellowstone (particularly the northern half of the park) which meet your requirements.

8

Yes, we are all experienced.

9

Mount Jefferson Wilderness in the Oregon Cascades, I think it’s about as beautiful a trip as you can get.

10

I’ve also spent a lot of time in southern Utah, check it out: