Southwest 3-4 night backpacking ideas

**Toolsped** · 12-20-2015, 10:12

Good morning all-

I'm attempting to plan a 3 night backpacking trip somewhere in the southwest where it will be a little warmer potentially. Any advise on some trip or trails to hit would be greatly appreciated as I've never been in that region. I have been scouring the interwebs for anything from souther Cali, New Mexico, or Arizona. Any input is greatly appreciated! Thanks.

Gavan

**FJRpilot** · 12-20-2015, 11:59

What temps are you hoping for?

**varga49** · 12-20-2015, 13:44

"potentially" in the southwest, say New Mexico for instance you're going to find weather cold enough to need your winter gear. Check out the "trips" forum section here and look at the videos for the Guadalupe mountain trip one of the members posted. That said central Texas is expecting high temps in the 70's and lows in the 40's all next week.

**kwpapke** · 12-28-2015, 14:14

The warmest spot in the Southwest in the wintertime is the Superstitions just outside of Phoenix. There are enough trails there for you to get lost for a week. Here's one example, one of my favorites:

**joanwest** · 01-01-2016, 18:12

I just spent a few backpacking in Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park--nice spots!

**1csleptonkayak** · 01-26-2016, 16:22

I'll bump this thread rather than start another one ... I'm a midwesterner also looking for an epic 3-5 day mld winter hike somewhere with some SUNSHINE and SCENERY in temps above 20*F. Maybe 8-12 miles per day - not real strenuous. I'm not young and I'll probably take my 22 pound hikin' buddy (see avatar).

**kwpapke** · 01-27-2016, 21:25

Originally Posted by 1csleptonkayak

I'll bump this thread rather than start another one ... I'm a midwesterner also looking for an epic 3-5 day mld winter hike somewhere with some SUNSHINE and SCENERY in temps above 20*F. Maybe 8-12 miles per day - not real strenuous. I'm not young and I'll probably take my 22 pound hikin' buddy (see avatar).

FWIW, your hikin' buddy eliminates many of the epic spots: national parks and wilderness areas.

There are sections of the Arizona Trail you could do, or maybe a PCT or Tahoe Rim Trail section.

**1csleptonkayak** · 01-28-2016, 08:01

Originally Posted by kwpapke

FWIW, your hikin' buddy eliminates many of the epic spots: national parks and wilderness areas.

Right. I hadn't considered that. The dog doesn't need the sunshine as much as I do. He can stay with family.

**kwpapke** · 01-28-2016, 16:28

Originally Posted by 1csleptonkayak

Right. I hadn't considered that. The dog doesn't need the sunshine as much as I do. He can stay with family.

If you leave the furry buddy home and you were looking for a truly epic hike, why wouldn't you do the Grand Canyon?? Doesn't get any more epic than that, and the campsites are situated so you can do <10 miles/day. It'll be a little chilly up on the rim, but once you descend it'll warm up substantially.