Hiking in USA in January

[Watertank]

Hi
I'm heading to Texas in January and may be able to fit in some hiking around my commitments. I don't want to go snow hiking but otherwise does anyone have suggestions for great hikes, perhaps including some overnight hikes in the USA ( they don't have to be in Texas) in January?

[wayno]

well theres snow hiking and cold weather hiking, how prepared are you to hike in the cold? if not you're going to be limited to the southern states preferably close to the coast

[Watertank]

Wayno, Cold weather hiking is fine - I just don't have any experience of snow hiking

[GPSGuided]

Be aware that some of the US NPs in the South-West have a booking/lottery system for interested hikers. Winter is the best time to visit those high desert areas of the South-West. As for suggested locations, I'd say Arizona is my preferred place to start and work out, all the way to southern California.

[paradza]

I went to Utah Escalante. Specifically did the Buck skin gulch Paria Canyon. That was late Nov. The advice i had from hiking folk in the US is stay low.
I have blog. Take a look. People do it in Jan.

Buckskin Gulch & Paria Canyon http://paradzamusing.blogspot.com/2014/ ... anyon.html

[Watertank]

Thanks for the replies - I am wondering about a couple of day hike down from the south rim of the Grand Canyon - that seems doable in Winter provided I have some microspikes

[GPSGuided]

That part of SW will be subjected to the occasional snow storm. Take a chance and be rewarded.


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[Turfa]

Thanks for the replies - I am wondering about a couple of day hike down from the south rim of the Grand Canyon - that seems doable in Winter provided I have some microspikes

That would be a great trip. The Grand Canyon is an awe inspiring sight the first time you see it ! The South Kaibab Trail is a good winter option as it gets good sun & ice melts relatively quickly, but yes, you do need to be prepared for some icy trail for the first few miles until you get lower in the canyon.

http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/u ... _Trail.pdf

[Hallu]

In Texas you have the Guadalupe mountains, why not hike there ? Further South you have the Big Bend NP at the border with Mexico. Both are desert parks and should be ok in winter. Further West, around Tucson, you have Saguaro NP. Very nice for hiking too, the vegetation is outstanding. Some overnight hikes possible there. Careful with Tucson, it's one seriously ugly town. Further North, I reckon it'd be fine to hike in Petrified Forest NP in winter. But it's remote hiking, no tracks there except for day walks. If you want to winter hike in Utah, it should be possible in Zion which is low elevation. Probably not in Bryce Canyon or Arches unless you got snow shoes.

[Watertank]

I've decided to do some hiking in and around the Grand Canyon including an overnight hike down into the Canyon from the South Rim. I'm looking forward to exploring new territory for me.

[GPSGuided]

Brilliant. Have a great trip!


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[Turfa]

Brilliant. Have a great trip!

Yep,... and please share some photos when you get back !

[ribuck]

I've decided to do some hiking in and around the Grand Canyon including an overnight hike down into the Canyon from the South Rim. I'm looking forward to exploring new territory for me.

Overnight camping numbers are limited. When my wife and I did an overnighter there, we couldn't get a permit to camp at the bottom, so we went down from the south rim and part way up the other side to an approved wild camping zone. It was a fabulous spot to spend the night.

[Watertank]

Hi folks
Some fabulous walking in the Grand Canyon. I managed to arrive as a winter snow storm hit the area. I was glad I had hired a four wheel drive to get me to the South Rim. My previous plan to hike down the South Kaibab trail was changed a) because Parks said the storm would make the exposed hike risky and b) the road to the trail head was closed! So I went down and back up the Bright Angel trail. Lots of snow for the first hour or two. I had been thinking about wearing trail shoes (discussed on a post in the equipment section) but I was pleased to have succumbed to safety and comfort considerations. It was mighty cold - down to -12 or so before I left. But the snow doesn't make it to the bottom of the canyon. I stayed a night in a dorm at Phantom Ranch at the bottom. It wasn't what I would describe as a hard walk but five hours of continuous down hill hiking played havoc with my knees. But an overnight rest helped. Here are a couple of photos as requested.
WT

[north-north-west]

Nice. That looks brilliant in the snow.

[Hallu]

Yes, we're gonna need a lot more photos than those 2 I'm afraid =) I'm surprised and glad they don't close the tracks in winter. But when it's really cold and the snow is hard and slippery, I'm assuming crampons and/or ice axes become necessary. I've done it in late spring, some parts are quite narrow or exposed.

[GPSGuided]

Great! So, how was the walk back up? I always felt that was the more stressful part. Back then, went 1/5 way down in 100 deg weather. Just mad!