Kay2

I want to plan a short getaway for this September or October (Wed pm - Sun pm) to my favorite type of scenery/activity. I'd like to learn of some new destinations so I won't revert back to a favorite. My husband and I enjoy starting out early each of 2-3 days for a different easy-moderate day hikes totaling up to 10-12 miles for the day in cool weather with pretty mountain scenery, streams, meadows, etc. Then back to hotel/lodge/cabin for a shower/rest, maybe some historical/nature sightseeing, a simple dinner, and relaxing reading a book in the evening. We don't have to "see it all" in one trip as I said we tend to go back to places we enjoy.

So, can you recommend where you like to go for a nature fix like this? I'd appreciate specific towns and parks or national forests. I know sometimes I focus more on parks than forests as information seems easier to find. We've also experienced more of areas near where we have lived. I'll list some of the places we have enjoyed in the past:

Mt Rainier NP
Lake Tahoe south
Gold mining area of CA
Yosemite NP
Sequoia/Kings Canyon NP
Yellowstone NP
Glacier NP
Rocky Mtn NP
Smoky Mtns NP
Petit Jean SP, Arkansas
Cumberland Plateau, TN - don't remember town
Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
White Mtns, NH - don't remember specific town

Up into Canada we have been at Whistler and from Jasper to Banff.

KathyK

Where do you live? How far do you want to travel?

clarasong

Well, if youy haven't been to the Olympic National Forest yet, you would love it. Also, if you drive around the Pennsula, there are some awesome beach/ocean hikes there. We live in the NW and hiking is one of our favs. Good luck.

karens

The San Juans in Colorado - Ouray, Telluride, etc.

Kay2

We live in the SE, but can fly to reach desired destination.

Olympic we have driven up on the ridge, then around and hiked up one trail in the Hoh rainforest. We could go back through SEA if there are other places there we have missed.

We have not been to Ouray or Telluride. Telluride has been on my list for awhile. I'll look into it further. Not sure if it would work for this trip as more remote, but I want to be ready with plans when opportunity arises. We've been to several places along the I-70 corridor, but not down to Telluride.

TheWeasel

How about the White Mountain area in AZ (Apache-Sitgreaves NF) or jump over the border into New Mexico to the Gila National Forest? I've been to A-S NF, although not to the White Mountain section, and it was quite different from the Arizona that most people think of. The Coronado around Tucson is also scenic, although you'll see a lot more desert terrain than in A-S.

williamscb13

go read some back issues of National Geographic Adventure magazine. They have lots of info on hikes like this.

I'd also suggest any town out west that's easy to get to.

Since you have a limited amount of time, that throws out my favorite place of Crested Butte, Colorado.

KMK

A few ideas:

Zion National Park. Fly into Las Vegas, it's a 3 hour drive. Lots of great hikes, and Sept/Oct is a perfect time. The Lower Subway is one of my all time favorite hikes. Angel's Landing is scary (heights & exposure) but very beautiful, and the Narrows (river walk) is also very popular. The forest here is a little sparse for my taste, but overall it's a beautiful area. Plenty of nice lodging and dining as well, without being horribly built up.

Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Fly into Boise, stay in Stanley (a few hours drive?). Great hikes in this area too. It's a little less well known, you'd definitely be getting away from it all. Probably better early Sept, as winter will come earlier here.

A few that might be closer or allow a driving trip, depending on where you are coming from in the Southeast:

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky. The park has a lot of above ground trails and it's a hilly area ("real mountains" - not sure?). But, you have to also be interested in doing some cave tours or else it's not worth it. The Wild Cave Tour is awesome, if you are up for it, but make sure you get advance reservations if interested. The cabins on the park grounds are rustic but nice.

Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Lots of nice hikes; I particularly like Old Rag. It is along the Blue Ridge Parkway, but sounds like maybe you haven't been up to that section.

tovarich

Why not try Bar Harbor Maine with the Acadia N.Park combined wit h leaf peeping since you'll be going in October.New England is great then.Paul

cmcfong

KMK has suggested Stanley and I want to ditto that. We spent a week at teh Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch and absolutely loved it. The food was great, the cabins were quiet and comfortable and the hikes were excellent. I would give it four stars. If you find that gives you too crushed an itinerary consider staying in Hailey (at the Ellsworth Estate b and b...loved it!) and basing from there. Idaho is a big secret with spectacular food, great hiking and no crowds! Have fun.

bigtyke

a little different than your requirements - Havasupai Canyon in Arizona. Only the hike out would be molderate (actually, I didn't think it that hard when I was 12 - we ran most of the way out)

Kay2

Thanks, guys. You've got me started (always have to working on the next trip).

I found these descriptions for around Telluride.
visittelluride.com/telluride/content/view/53/100/

I have seen some gorgeous wildflower photos from around there so I would love to get on the ground.

I found an Ouray hiking site that mostly warned about altitude (which is one of the reasons I said easy to moderate). We love to walk, dayhike, cycle, etc. but we are flatlanders and the Colorado altitudes do take a toll on me. Last few years we have been going to Utah rather than Colorado for skiing so that I can get some sleep and not feel so winded.

Now I'll look more closely at Olympic. We have relatives in Seattle, so any trip out there includes a quick stop in to say hello, which is good.

Then I'll look at the other cool mountain suggestions. As much as I love the red rocks of Utah, I'm not wanting desert this trip.