Western US Road Trip- PeakBagging

Old May 1st, 2016, 07:08 PM
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Western US Road Trip- PeakBagging

Me and my friend are setting out on a 3 week road trip out West in August 2016. We are knocking out more state highpoints (peakbagging) while also going sightseeing and experiencing the Western US. We are starting from Hattiesburg MS (where we live) and heading out. What I have posted below is the order we are going to the destinations. It makes a big loop. It is around 4100-4200 miles round trip. We have been on multiple hiking trips but no longer than 5 days. This is our first long distance trip and we want to make sure we do it right. Is 3 weeks enough time? Not enough? Any more places we need to see since we are going to be out there? Any tips or advice would be wonderful and would be greatly appreciated. I am looking forward to yall's insight. Thank you so much!

1. Driskill Mtn., LA; 535 ft. (Lousiana Highpoint) Driskill Mtn. Summit Trail
.95 miles one way, 1.9 miles total
2. Black Mesa, OK; 4,973 ft. (Oklahoma Highpoint)
Black Mesa Summit Trail
4.2 miles one way, 8.4 miles total 800 ft. Elevation Gain
Camping
open 24 hours
$12.00 tent site
3. Wheeler Peak, NM; 13,161 ft. (New Mexico Highpoint)
Bull of the Woods Trail (Wheeler Peak Trail #90)
7.3 miles one way, 14.6 miles total
3,686 ft. Elevation Gain
Passes over Mt. Walter (13,141 ft, 2nd highest peak in NM)
Williams Lake Trail + Wheeler Peak Summit Trail #67
2.0 miles + 2.2 miles = 4.2 miles one way, 8.4 miles total 2,961 ft. Elevation Gain
Less Scenic
4. Humphrey’s Peak, AZ; 12,637 ft. (Arizona Highpoint) Humphrey’s Peak Trail
4.7 miles one way, 9.4 miles total
3,333 ft. Elevation Gain
5. Havasupai Falls, Grand Canyon, AZ
Hualapai Hilltop to Havasupai Falls Campground (Mooney Falls) 10 miles one way, 20 miles round trip
Option to hike in, helicopter ride out ($85 a person) Entrance Fee ($35 per person)
Campground Fee ($17 per person, per night)
Environmental Care Fee ($5 per person)
6. South Rim, Grand Canyon, AZ
7. The Narrows, UT (Zion National Park) Bottom-Top (Begin at Temple of Sinawava)
Hike as far as you feel comfortable, then hike back (recommended for beginners) Top-Bottom (Chamberlain Ranch to Temple of Sinawava)
16 miles one way, shuttled to trailhead (Chamberlain Ranch) **Permit Required
This is the complete hike of The Narrows
8. Angels Landing, UT; 5,790 ft. (Zion National Park) The Grotto/West Rim Trail/Angels Landing Trail
2.4 miles one way, 4.8 miles total
1,488 ft. Elevation Gain
9. Mt. Elbert, CO; 14, 440 ft. (Colorado Highpoint)
South Elbert Trail
5.5 miles one way, 11 miles total 4,500 ft. Elevation Gain
10. Panorama Point, NE; 5,429 ft. (Nebraska Highpoint) Drive up to it
11. Mt. Sunflower, KS; 4,039 ft. (Kansas Highpoint) Drive up to it
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Old May 1st, 2016, 07:54 PM
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You haven't provided for the altitude impact coming from sea level. You need to consider this and be sure you know what to do to acclimate as well as signs of altitude sickness. Even people who are great shape are affected by altitude.
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Old May 1st, 2016, 08:16 PM
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We are going to make sure we will spend 1-3 days before the high elevation hikes.
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Old May 1st, 2016, 10:12 PM
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With respect to item 5 (Havasupai Falls [sic]): unless you already have a reservation, you're probably out of luck. The area in question is around the village of Supai, in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. No one may enter the reservation without an advance reservation and permit -- and they're completely sold out for 2016. You can call to check for cancellations, but the odds are poor; the demand has become ridiculous over the last couple of years. As a side note, "Havasupai" is the name of the Indian tribe, but not the name of a waterfall. The most famous waterfall is Havasu Falls.
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Old May 1st, 2016, 10:18 PM
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Hotel or campground reservations are also important for Grand Canyon National Park South Rim, and for Zion National Park. For both parks, demand far exceeds supply. I know very little about the camping details, but have read that at Zion they've started to crack down on sleeping in cars/campers on the side of some nearby roads.
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 04:46 AM
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I'm glad you included Mount Sunflower. ALthough it is not an impressive height, they have a lot of fun with it.

Since you will be passing near a number of Tripoint corners between states, you might include a few of them as well.
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 04:06 PM
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Yea I meant to take off Havasupai off the list. I figured the demand was ridiculous and it would be hard to get a permit. Thanks for the feedback guys. Anything else I should know?? We are going to be staying in campgrounds and hostels and maybe a hotel once or twice. But trying to keep it as cheap as possible. Any other advice would be great! Thanks
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 05:12 PM
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You will be in some areas with very limited services. Make sure your car (or do you have some sort of camper?) is in great shape before you go and never let the gas tank go below 1/2 since you don't know where the next station is.
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 05:28 PM
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Didn't really think of that. Thanks! We will be traveling in my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee. No camper!
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 05:41 PM
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When you hike Angels Landing, start before dawn.. No kidding, it will be hotter than h*** in Zion in August. Also carry and drink more water than you ever dreamed, plus Gatoraid or something to replace the electrolites. Our desert climate will make you loose more water than you realize.

You really should consider hiking Mt Timpanogas in northen Utah instead of Zion in August. Its one of our highest peaks and gorgeous in the summer. Tough long hike, but look it up.
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 05:48 PM
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Thanks! Will definitely look it up. Also, if we do hike Angel's Landing, how intimidating is it? I have climbed many mountains but never anything quite like Angel's Landing. Any advice? Is it as intimidating as it is in pictures in person?
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 07:09 PM
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Angels Landing can be intimidating if you have a fear of heights. Near the end, the path is narrow, with dropoffs of 800-1,200 feet on either side. Having said that, even Boy Scout Troops have done the hike (the sad news: one Boy Scout fell and died).

I agree with the suggestion to start as early as possible. Not only is it likely to be miserably hot, but also very crowded. It's no fun trying to pass oncoming traffic on such a narrow trail. The first shuttle leaves the Visitor Center at 6 am, and gets to The Grotto around 6:25 am or 6:30 am.
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Old May 2nd, 2016, 07:52 PM
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Sounds like a great trip, hope it works out!

Regarding number 9. Mt. Elbert: maybe you know this already, but that's another one for a very early start, dawn or earlier. First it will be very crowded, but more importantly, summer Colorado mountain weather is usually best early in the morning, with a good chance of storms forming in the afternoon.

Plan to be heading down by noon is a good strategy. Keep an eye on the weather forecast for several days ahead of your date and see how things are shaping up.

I agree with everything Dayle and lgott said about Angels Landing. Regarding intimidating photos, I intentionally took mine at some of the most intimidating sections. Most people probably do the same. These are pretty short sections compared to the overall route. It isn't sustained like that, ... at least to me!

Good luck.
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Old May 7th, 2016, 07:53 PM
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Thanks everybody for the feedback. Very helpful. One last question, for climbing Mt Elbert, which trail do yall recommend? We are trying to decide between the Northeast or South. Any suggestions?
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Old May 8th, 2016, 06:59 AM
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I think that's a toss-up. I did the Northeast route in spring on backcountry skis many years ago, and the south as hike more recently, so it's hard for me to compare the two.

But memory suggests the NE is little shorter, steeper and therefore one notch harder. Maybe slightly more interesting than south route, but either one is good. Flip a coin!
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Old May 8th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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R

Did you consider any of the northen Utah peaks? We have some incredible designated wilderness hiking within a 20 minute drive of SLC. I totally understand wanting to do the unique red rock hikes however. Just be prepared for the high temps. Seriuously take more water than you think you need! And also watch the weather. The summer monsoon storms usually occur in the afternoons, but rain miles away can cause flash floods in the canyons and slot canyons without warning. The top of a peak is nowhere to be caught in a lightening event.

ALWAYS check with local ranger or visitors offices before you go.
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