Thread: Mountain Vacation Destination??

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Santa Fe New Mexico, Taos, New Mexico and all of Northern New Mexico really.

Ah yes, I'd forgotten about those. My mom is in Santa Fe, and there is a great view of the mountains from the hot tub on the back porch, especially at night when all you see is sand, steam, and stars. Bootiful!

Go to Durango, Colorado and ride the train to Silverton. Then drive to Ouray on the Million Dollar Highway.

http://www.google.com/maps?q=ouray%2...=0CBIQ8wEoBDAA

Outside of the places already mentioned. I'm a big fan of Mammoth, CA personally which leads right into Yosemite of course. Though my back yard of Lake Tahoe is nice as well.

IMO the best mountain landscapes are far away from shopping centers and restaraunts, but if I was to try and plan the best western vacation I could and try to fit in all my favorites, it would look something like this:

I would fly into denver and rent a jeep, here you could do a couple different things, just head west on I-70, which would take you over a couple 10000 ft passes and past a few 14,000+ ft peaks, into glenwood springs canyon. Take a left towards Aspen, until carbondale take a right towards Peonia then follow the signs towards montrose. My destination the first day would be Lake City Colorado at a place called A & A bed and breakfast, you could also take hwy 285 out of denver for different scenery and still get there. A and A B&B has the best food I have ever eaten and small cabins for rent, be warned though they wont accept credit cards. Just past the B and B the road turns into a four wheel drive only road(in name only its not that bad but if you are early in the season could be impassible because of snowpack), take that over cinnamon pass towards silverton(you can also turn around and take the highway around if your not that adventerous) once in silverton head towards durango. When you hit highway 666(has a more PC number nowadays) turn towards Utah. When you get into utah take a left towards Lake powell and take the ferry across the north end of the lake. From there there is a dirt road that goes through monument valley and towards Bryce canyon which would be my destination the second day(probably at ruths, just outside the park) Enjoy bryce canyon the next day, in the evening head head south and stay in Kanab. The next morning head south to the north rim of the grand canyon, then head across to St. George. The next morning head to Zions canyon when you decide to leave head north to cedar city and up the canyon towards Cedar Breaks. IMO you will never see a better sunset than one at cedar breaks with the sunset colors radiating of the red rock(mid fall is the best with all the leaves changing IMO), that night you could stay at brianhead ski resort, which is about ten minutes from cedar breaks. If you want a scenic drive from there you could go hit hwy 89 to head north or go down through panquitch and hit I-15 north. When you hit 1-80 go east towards Park city which would be the next destination. Next day head towards Kamas and take the road towards mirror lake which will get you to Evanston Wyoming from there head to rock springs. There you can get a good steak at Teds off of the Hwy 191 exit. Stay the night in Rock springs, the next day head south on 191 to Flaming Gorge and Dutch John(if early enough in the morning you will have a good chance to see a huge elk herd(200+ head)), come back through rock springs and head to yellowstone make your way towards northern idaho and then into oregon, try to stay along the columbia as much as possible until you hit highway 1. Then head south, I would save atleast two days for this, through coos bay, eureka CA, seqoia and redwood natl forests, and on to San fransico. Keep going through Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey and when you get to Santa Barbera catch a plane and head home. I think you could do this comfortably in two weeks and it would take you through a good sampling of what the west has to offer, without giving you enough time to completely get your fill. Next trip you could pin point exactly where you wanted to go and what you want to see more of. Sorry for the rambling reply, but I do love the west, if you have any questions feel free to PM me before you head out here.

Edit: Disclaimer: the route I provided is probably 1500 miles and could easily be close to 2000.

Mount St. Helens, WA.
Mount Rainier National Park, WA

Just a beautiful area.

Originally Posted by Muirtach

Outside of the places already mentioned. I'm a big fan of Mammoth, CA personally which leads right into Yosemite of course. Though my back yard of Lake Tahoe is nice as well.

I was going to mention Mammoth too. You can go spend a day in Toulumene Meadows, think almost arctic tundra, and be back in time for dinner. You can take the gondola to the top of the mountain, and just hike around at I believe around 12,000 feet. The Devil's Postpile is another very cool day trip. If your there, you might as well see Mono Lake, and the tufa towers.

There are also many natural hot springs. Nothing feels better after a long hike than soaking in a hot spring with a cold beer. The fly fishing for trout can be incredible. I always try and get up very early, so I can get a few fish, and be back before anyone wakes up. Mammoth is definitely one of my favorite places.

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

I happen to like the ADK High Peaks, but those are small mountains compared to what you can find elsewhere. Great downhill biking on Whiteface and Gore, cross country biking at Mt Van Hoevenberg (that's prolly spelled wrong), and Lake Placid is nearby too. Naturally, there is great hiking too (how many of the 46ers can you bag during your one trip?).

I second the Adirondacks for their beauty, trails, Touristy stuff but it might still be a little chilly in May at least at night. I would imagine most mountain areas will be chilly that time of year.

As an old mountaineer and rock climber, I've seen many ranges. If you haven't experienced the high peaks, then you are in for a treat wherever you go.

The peaks vary greatly by region. There are desert mountain regions, the massive volcanoes of the northwest, rain forrest like regions (think Olympics), eastern deciduous regions.... All are impressive in their way; you'll not find a best, though you may find an area that, after comparing to others, is a best for you.

The Adirondaks lack the drama of the fourteen thousand footers but might be a starting place. They are accessable and quite friendly. Lots of water to paddle neath peaks that, though lacking in altitude, have great relief (lots of distance from base to peak). There are friendly brew pubs in several towns with civilized and only somewhat hokey shopping. Look for a home to rent on a small lake. Lots of canoe trails in extremely desolate landscapes close to good eats and fun. Day hikes abound. The Adks say Rustic.

Is September an option? Could be 80 or snowing! But expect a color show as the leaves hit their peak mid month. If summer, later is better; avoid blackfly season!

I've spent more Adirondak nights in a sleeping bag, many in winter. I've also stayed in B & Bs offering 4 star meals, farmhouses, etc. Lots of options.

Yes, the more I think about it the more I like this choice!!

Have fun wherever.