Remote Christmas trail?

[kkcrowe]

I have the week after Christmas off from work and was thinking of doing a 3 day backpack trip. I am going alone and would like to find a trail that is somewhat secluded...basically after dealing with all of the shopping, malls, and holiday family stuff....I am looking to recharge my batteries....if I can go 3 days without seeing another human being, that would be ideal ;-) I don't mind cold weather hiking, actually would prefer something in the pines or aspens...any ideas out there? I am a pretty experienced hiker, and something where I can camp in a different place both nights would be great.

[joebartels]

Secret Mountain / Sycamore would be good for views. For wildlife I'd hit up the fringes of the White Mountains.

Hope all is good, it's been about five years!

[te_wa]

if I had three days... that's an easy one...

POWERS GARDEN

[Hoffmaster]

Good one te-wa. Maybe I'll consider that one for my christmas trip this year. Liz will be with me this year, so I don't want to go anywhere too cold (like the North Rim of the GC). I was leaning heavily towards Anza-Borrego in California, but now you've got me thinking about staying in state!

[RedRoxx44]

Matt, if you go to the Garden be prepared, I've been there when the overnight lows were well into the teens. On the otherhand, I've been there several New Years able to be in shorts and t shirt in the day. The meadow seems to get very cold, so if the cabin is occupied or not in good shape there is a nice camp area up the hill in the trees above the spring that'll get you out of the cold air sink.
I'm thinking about a trip to Anza Borrego soon myself. Can't go wrong there either.

[Hoffmaster]

Thanks for the info RedRoxx44. I'm still leaning towards Anza-Borrego. I've never been there (I've never been to Powers Garden either) and it seems like 4 days might be enough time to get a good trip in.

[te_wa]

im game for powers garden, make it a group hike?
besides, Letty... Matt and I have been wanting to hike this area with you for like, years.
maybe you can be our unofficial group hike leader? (that way we can off trail Rattlesnake or some other back way into the cabin)

[RedRoxx44]

Well, thanks for the endorsement on Powers Garden guiding, but unfortunately I have to work Christmas Eve. It'd be fun to go in for a coupla days tho and then leave ya'll to your own devices. So I'd be up for going in on Sat, explore, then I'd be out on Sunday.

Matt-- Some unsolicited Anza Borrego advice--I've hiked and jeeped there for about 8 years when I lived in SD.
If you have a good 4X4-- Sheep, Cougar, Indian Canyon areas. Base camp and roam around.
Also a nice drive is thru Canyon Sin Nombre and out maybe Arroyo Diablo and Arroyo Tapiado (mud caves)
Sombrero Peak is a nice off trail climb up accessed by Indian Gorge ( 2wd HC but sandy in spots)
Whale Peak is also a classic trip there with a closer 4X4 option and a more distant trip.
Ghost mountain is a little touristy but old homestead atop the mountain.
Calcite Mine goes by a slot canyon area and gets you to a weird rock formation.

And many others that I could go to just can't remember the names right now.

[big_load]

That would be a great trip, no matter how cold it might be. I really like that camping spot on top of the hill, even though every bear and deer in the neighborhood passes through there on the way to the water.

When you get up there, please post the titles and authors of the books RedRoxx left at the cabin. I didn't quite finish reading them, and I think they're both out of print. I did manage to pick up Tom Power's account of the shooting recently, but that's not the one that interests me most.

[Hoffmaster]

Matt-- Some unsolicited Anza Borrego advice...

Thanks a bunch! Another site member was cool enough to email me a ton of info on the park. I have lots to read, and lots of decisions to make. I'm really excited! It's always fun exploring a place you've never been to before. Thanks again Redroxx44!