Backpacking Trip Guides | CleverHiker (2024)

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Pacific Crest Trail

Distance: 2,650 miles
Average # of Days Needed: 150
Approx. Elevation Change: 489,418 feet
# of States Traversed: 3
Best Time: Spring – Early Fall

Appalachian Trail

Distance: 2,190 miles
Average # of Days Needed: 165
Approx. Elevation Change: 465,000 feet
# of States Traversed: 14
Best Time: Spring – Early Fall

Continental Divide Trail

Distance: 2,700 – 3,000 miles
Average # of Days Needed: 150
Approx. Elevation Change: 457,000 feet
# of States Traversed: 5
Best Time: Spring – Early Fall

John Muir Trail

Distance: 210.4 miles (official) / 221 miles (end-to-end)
Average # of Days Needed: 18 – 21
Approx. Elevation Change: 46,000 feet
Best Time: July – Early October

Vermont’s Long Trail

Distance: 272 miles
Average # of Days Needed: 19 – 28
Approx. Elevation Change: 63,000 feet
Best Time: June – Mid-October

Colorado Trail

Distance: 486 miles (give or take a few depending on route)
Time Needed: 4 – 6 weeks
Approx. Elevation Change: 89,000 feet
Best Time: July – September

Timberline Trail – Mount Hood

Distance: 40 miles
Days Needed: 3 – 4
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Three Sisters Loop – Central Oregon

Distance: 50 miles
Days Needed: 3 – 6
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – September

Wallowa River Loop – Eastern Oregon

Distance: 36 miles
Days Needed: 4 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Rogue River Trail – Southern Oregon

Distance: 40 miles (one way)
Days Needed: 3 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: April – May & September – October

Oregon Coast Trail – Bandon to Port Orford

Distance: 30 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Spring, Summer, Fall

Steens Mountain – Southeastern Oregon

Distance: Varies, depending on trip
Days Needed: 2 – 5
Difficulty: Easy to Difficult
Best Time: July – Early October

Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Loop – Eastern Oregon

Distance: Abount 20 miles, varies
Days Needed: 2 – 3
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best Time: July – October

McKenzie River Trail – Central Oregon

Distance: 27 miles (one way)
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Mid-April – Early November

Three Fingered Jack Loop – Central Cascades

Distance: 20.9 – 23.7 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 3
Difficulty: Easy
Best Time: Mid-April – Early November

Alvord Desert Camping Tips

Drive Time: 7 hrs. from Portland, 4 hrs. from Bend
Best Time: Late Spring – Fall

Enchantment Lakes Basin – Northern Cascades

Distance: 19 miles
Days Needed: 1 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – October

Goat Rocks Wilderness – South Central Cascades

Distance: Varies by route
Days Needed: 2 – 6
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – October

Wonderland Trail – Mount Rainier

Distance: 93 miles
Days Needed: 9 – 12
Difficulty: Very Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Round the Mountain Trail – Mount Adams

Distance: Varies
Days Needed: 2 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Mount Margaret Backcountry – Mount St. Helens

Distance: 25 – 35 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – October

Loowit Trail Loop – Mount St. Helens

Distance: 30 to 36, depending on trailhead
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best Time: July – October

North Coast Route – Olympic National Park

Distance: 30 to 36, depending on trailhead
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Strenuous
Best Time: July – October

Glacier National Park Backpacking Trips

Distance: Varies
Days Needed: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – September

10 Best Day Hikes in Glacier National Park

Distance: Varies
Days Needed: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – September

Distance: 21 – 51 miles depending on trip
Days Needed: 2 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: April – June & September – November

The Narrows Top Down – Zion National Park

Distance: 16 miles
Days Needed: 2
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: May – October

Zion Traverse – Zion National Park

Distance: 48.3 miles
Days Needed: 3 – 6
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: April – May & September – October

Coyote Gulch – Grand Staircase-Escalante

Distance: 28.4 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: March – May & October – Early November

Reflection Canyon – Lake Powell Area

Distance: 16 – 18 miles out and back
Days Needed: 2
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late March – May & September – October

Distance: 31.8 miles for both trails
Days Needed: 3 – 5 for both trails
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: April – Mid-October

Red Castle Lakes – High Uintas

Distance: 20 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 3
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Late June – Early October

Amethyst Basin – High Uintas

Distance: 13 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 3
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Late June – Early October

Henry Forks Lake Loop, High Uintas

Distance: 18.2 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 3
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Late June – Early October

Distance: 160 miles
Days Needed: 10 – 16
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time: Late June – Early October

Colorado Trail

Distance: 486 miles (give or take a few depending on route
Time Needed: 4 – 6 weeks
Difficulty: Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Teton Crest Trail – Grand Teton National Park

Distance: 40 miles
Days Needed: 3 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – Early September

Cirque of the Towers – Wind River Range

Distance: 24 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Titcomb Basin – Wind River Range

Distance: Varies
Days Needed: 3 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – September

Trinity Alps Wilderness – Northwest California

Distance: 20 – 50 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 5
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – September

How to Hike Half Dome – Yosemite National Park

Distance: 16.4 miles roundtrip via Mist Trail
Days Needed: 1 – 3
Difficulty: Very strenuous
Best Time: June – October

Cottonwood-Marble Canyon Loop – Death Valley

Distance: 26.3 and 31.8, depending on route
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate
Best Time: Winter or Late Fall / Early Spring

John Muir Trail: A Complete Guide

Distance: 210.4 (official) / 221 (end-to-end)
Days Needed: 18 – 21
Difficulty: Difficult – Strenuous
Best Time: July to Early October
Gear Guide: John Muir Trail Gear List: What to Pack

Lake O’Hara Backcountry – Yoho National Park

Distance: Varies
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: July – Late September

Skyline Trail – Jasper National Park

Distance: 27 miles
Days Needed: 2 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – September

Sawback Trail – Banff National Park

Distance: 46 miles
Days Needed: 4 – 6
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: Late July – September

Santa Cruz Trek – Cordillera Blanca, Peru

Distance: 50 kilometers / 31 miles
Days Needed: 3 – 4
Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Best Time: May – September

Nepal Trekking – A Comprehensive Guide

Best Time: October – November & March – April
Gear Guide: What to Pack for Hiking in Nepal

Best Time: December – February & September – november
Gear Guide: What to Pack for Hiking in Patagonia

Hiking in Torres del Paine, Patagonia

Best Time: December – February & September – november
Gear Guide: What to Pack for Hiking in Patagonia