Solo Backpacking in UT, ID, MT, WY, or C olo

“Hi all, I'm a 31 year old male in decent (but not great) shape and I've started getting interested in backbacking. What I'm wondering is if anyone out there knows of a good backbacking/camping trip that I could take (solo) somewhere in Utah, Idaho, Montana, Colorado or Wyoming that has the following:

* 8-16 hours of hiking each way.

* A good place for tent camping at the end of the hike.

* Fishing (along the way but especially at the end of the hike).

* A good source of water that is either safe or could be made safe for drinking.

* Preferrably something that isn't in bear/cougar country (although I know that there are bear, cougar, or both almost anywhere you go)

* Preferrably something with at least a reasonable level of isolation/solitude (not too many people around...hopefully the only people that I'd run would be fellow backpackers - preferably no horsebackers but certainly no ATV'ers)

Also, any safety tips on soloing would be very helpful. I plan to purchase a few books and do some internet research on the subject before going, but any advice is appreciated.

FINAL NOTE: I'm planning on going during the third week of July - not sure if that makes a difference.

Thanks
P3”

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Start here.
last edited: 6/22/08 12:30:48 PM”

“Here are a couple of links to start:

http://www.americansouthwest.net/index.shtml

http://www.utah.com/

http://utahcanyons.com/index.htm

http://www.travelwest.net/parks/grandstaircase/
[url]
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante.html[/url]


As you can tell, GSE is my fave place!”

“Way to go, salesmanbored.

The greatest place in my mind would be the Wind River range in WY. Really spectacular and not so remote that no one would find you if you got into trouble. All of Colorado's wilderness areas fit the bill. Colorado is a great place for a solo newbie.

Go ahead and read those books and just pick a place and don't chicken out. There are 1000 different locations that would be perfect. Just go enjoy one of them and plan another trip later.”

“GSE in July? Really?”

“I did it and LOVED IT! Did Lower Calf Creek Falls, slot canyons and a few washes down Hole in the Rock Road. And just bummed around. Of course I am from Florida so it was just a dry heat!”

“Colorado - Get the Colorado Wilderness book that John Fielder did the photo's for - it's FULL of great ideas for loops and such in the much plentiful CO wilderness areas.

I did a loop last year in the La Garita wilderness, i think there's a TR on this site - try searching for "La Garita" - it was a great loop, could've made it a three or even four day trip - there was some fishing along the way - i saw only two people in the two point five days I was out.

GOod luck - and have fun.

feel free to email me if you want some more info. Late July should be cool from a snow pack standpoint, allthough, you might find a few snow banks scattered about - especially in the San Juans - shouldn't be a problem to travel though, might just kinda piss ya off when you posthole down a northwest facing slope.”

“Don't plan on going in to the Wind rivers until at least August, there's a TON of snow up there still.”

“Something to keep in mind in Colorado there is still a good amount of snow and snow storms in the high country (9000 plus ft). So be prepared.”

“Still lots of snow in the Sawtooths of Idaho but they would provide a great trip if the snow is gone by July.”