Long Hikes in May

[steelfrog]

I have a buddy who likes long dayhikes (15-25 miles). Not mountaineering. Loops are best. He wants to go in May. Typically did Grand Canyon then but wants something different, too hot.

My guess is something like 4 pass loop is still a no go even in late May.

Any other suggestions? Olympic Peninsula? Tetons? Wind Rivers? Anything in Utah? Cali prolly massive snowpack this year doesn’t bode well for May

Many thanks for your ideas and advice

[Scott P]

Any other suggestions? Olympic Peninsula?

The mountains will be buried, but you can hike the coastline. The weather is still dicey then though. It's the transition period between very wet and not quite as wet.

Tetons? Wind Rivers?

Unless you are planning on skiing, forget about any snow free hiking in May.

Anything in Utah?

Many areas in Utah are prime then. The Escalante or Dark Canyon areas would be my favorite at that time of year.

[TravelingMatt]

Smokies/WNC

Southern New Mexico/Big Bend/Guadelupe

Death Valley/Southern California ranges... you can make some pretty long days out of the 10ers surrounding the LA basin

[highpilgrim]

I'm going to Saguaro in April but it will be pretty hot in May...

How about Bullit Canyon in Utah? Lots of cools stuff in the Cedar Mesa area.

[nyker]

The Cactus to Clouds route in SoCal, climbing up San Jacinto. May is a wildcard, could be dry or under 3 feet of snow, probably more like the latter this year but never know.

[CORed]

Any other suggestions? Olympic Peninsula?

The mountains will be buried, but you can hike the coastline. The weather is still dicey then though. It's the transition period between very wet and not quite as wet.

Tetons? Wind Rivers?

Unless you are planning on skiing, forget about any snow free hiking in May.

Anything in Utah?

Many areas in Utah are prime then. The Escalante or Dark Canyon areas would be my favorite at that time of year.

Agree on Utah desert locations. May is my favorite time of year for that area. It's usually dry, warm but not too hot, and best time for wildflowers. Escalante and other bigger (for southern Utah) rivers might be high this year, so crossings could be challenging.

[davebks]

lost creek loop
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colo ... ss-loop--2
its great. we did it as an overnight.

[HikesInGeologicTime]

The Cactus to Clouds route in SoCal, climbing up San Jacinto. May is a wildcard, could be dry or under 3 feet of snow, probably more like the latter this year but never know.

Pretty regular condition updates here: https://sanjacjon.com/

I've been following them because I myself have an eye on Cactus to Clouds (back to Cactus, b/c, I dunno, masochism...?)!

[disentangled]

pecos wildnerness .... in new mexico.

[seano]

pecos wildnerness .... in new mexico.

I'll be sad when the Front Range locusts spread, but I guess they're only slightly worse than the Texans.

[nyker]

The Cactus to Clouds route in SoCal, climbing up San Jacinto. May is a wildcard, could be dry or under 3 feet of snow, probably more like the latter this year but never know.

Pretty regular condition updates here: https://sanjacjon.com/

I've been following them because I myself have an eye on Cactus to Clouds (back to Cactus, b/c, I dunno, masochism...?)!

Very useful link, thanks!

[disentangled]

pecos wildnerness .... in new mexico.

I'll be sad when the Front Range locusts spread, but I guess they're only slightly worse than the Texans.

lol.... the only thing coming here these days are pensioners from ohio, apparently.