Road trip to the Rockies

[Slo-go'en]

With the low gas prices, instead of doing yet another AT hike I'm thinking about doing a road trip out to the Rockies this summer for a couple of months. Probably August and September. Do an National Park tour, spending a week or two of hiking at each one. Glacier, Tetons, Rocky Mt NP and so on. Would love to see the Grand Canyon too.

It would be nice to have a traveling companion, if you got some time to kill and money to spend. Two can travel cheaper then one on a trip like this. I know finding the right person is a real long shot, but worth a try...

[RED-DOG]

I would suggest you do a Yellowstone NP thru-hike I did it back in 2003 awesome experience best back country experience i have had thus far, the rest of those places don't even come close in comparison.

[Onda Road Again]

If you're going to go to Glacier and have your passport (or passport card) consider driving up to Banff/Yoho National Parks in Canada. It's about 4 1/2 hours from Glacier. Most beautiful country I've ever been in, nothing compares. The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are extremely touristy (both within Banff national park). Yoho and Jasper national parks (Kootenay National Park rounds out a grid of bordering parks) are much quieter in my opinion but with any of the trails in the area, if you go a mile past the trailhead you basically have it to yourself.


If you have plenty of time consider spending a day in the town of Banff, so many good places to eat!

[illabelle]

If you're going to go to Glacier and have your passport (or passport card) consider driving up to Banff/Yoho National Parks in Canada. It's about 4 1/2 hours from Glacier. Most beautiful country I've ever been in, nothing compares. The towns of Banff and Lake Louise are extremely touristy (both within Banff national park). Yoho and Jasper national parks (Kootenay National Park rounds out a grid of bordering parks) are much quieter in my opinion but with any of the trails in the area, if you go a mile past the trailhead you basically have it to yourself.


If you have plenty of time consider spending a day in the town of Banff, so many good places to eat!

Have to agree that Alberta is gorgeous! If you go up that way, cross over to British Columbia and see Takakkaw Falls.

[Coffee]

Jasper is one of my favorite places. Much less touristy than Banff or Lake Louise and there are some great rental cabins in the area for those who don't want to camp.

[Onda Road Again]

Jasper is one of my favorite places. Much less touristy than Banff or Lake Louise and there are some great rental cabins in the area for those who don't want to camp.

Wish we would have made it up to Jasper more (just drove up the parkway a little ways). My wife and I went for our honeymoon last September so we spent half our time doing the touristy stuff and half the time hiking. Ever since we've gotten back all we talk about is wishing we hiked the whole time! Unfortunately the weather was crappy, didn't see 40 degrees for 4 days and cloud cover was below the peaks half the time. Will be going back soon!

[Onda Road Again]

Have to agree that Alberta is gorgeous! If you go up that way, cross over to British Columbia and see Takakkaw Falls.

Definitely a must see! A nice hike from this trailhead will lead you past laughing falls and twin falls (pictured below) as well. About 9 miles round trip.

1_55.jpg

[tuswm]

if u do grand canyon also look in to bryce and zion. zion is the best non forest hiking i have ever had.


are u a teacher. this sounds like what i do every summer. i have done about ten cross country road trips.

i have some advice is this is the case. especially about how to save money.

[Slo-go'en]

I think I've put this trip on hold for now. It was an expensive winter and I should stick closer to home this summer.

I did a hike through Glacier 2 years ago. I once spent a whole summer hiking in Yellowstone and the near-by area. I've done two, month long trips into the Canadian Rockies in Alberta, hiking from Banff to Jasper. But I haven't been west of the Rockies or in the south west. I do need to get out there before I get too old and feeble and there are still a few trees standing which haven't been burnt down.

[ednotmilkman]

I think I've put this trip on hold for now. It was an expensive winter and I should stick closer to home this summer.
I do need to get out there before I get too old and feeble and there are still a few trees standing which haven't been burnt down.

Hi Slo,

If you change your mind about western road trip hiking next year, keep me in mind. Glad to chat more about it privately too if you want to now while your ideas are fresh. My main consideration is that I don't usually stay out longer than 4 weeks.
Edwin