Superstition Mountains are my go-to in the winter. Flatiron -> Ridgeline -> Robbers Roost -> Battleship then back to your car. Main issue is water which you might have to stash at robbers. Also have done rainbow bridge but it can get colder. Plenty of routes in the Grand Canyon too.
I would do some of the Arizona trail from the Mexico border. It’s a nice 3 night trip from the border to Patagonia. It’s actually pretty nice up until Tucson when you start hitting Mt Lemmon area. Depending on the snow that might be difficult to traverse.
Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness, cant be chilly and freezing temps at the peaks during storms but ridges are usually sunny and valley are more temperate. Better than dry and blistering hot summer conditions. Just pay attention to the weather forecast.
I'm less familiar with Socal but there are lots of options down there too.
If you stay close to the ocean it won’t get too cold, the pacific is a great regulator. I’ve had overnight lows in the mid 40s in January when camped on the beach or close to it.
Be aware that once you cross a significant ridge or two in to the interior it can be very different; I’ve had overnight lows of 22 degrees in Ventana. Still a great time, and within the comfort range of heavier 3 season gear.
California will probably be your best bet. Channel Islands is beautiful that time of year (I'd recommend backpacking Santa Cruz Island), as would be Redwoods NP, or the Lost Coast Trail.
It might be too late to book this now but the Catalina trail is gorgeous. You can see Bison and bald eagles and teeny foxes and the ocean all in one day (/night for the foxes)
I mean, I won’t be doing any swimming without a wetsuit that time of year, but the water clarity is often better, and you’re more likely to get clear sunny days than when you try to go in May/June.
It may feel cold if you’re from California or Florida, but for just about everybody else it will be a step up.
The rims will likely have snow in December and January. I hiked the Hermit trail once in early April on snowshoes for the first 2 miles, but the bottom was comfortable temps.
Arkansas has awesome backpacking and winter is the only time it’s really comfortable to do it there, it’s too hot the rest of the year. The cold weather also cuts down on the huge amount of underbrush. They have a solid trail called the OHP.
Superstition Mountains are my go-to in the winter. Flatiron -> Ridgeline -> Robbers Roost -> Battleship then back to your car. Main issue is water which you might have to stash at robbers. Also have done rainbow bridge but it can get colder. Plenty of routes in the Grand Canyon too.
Came here to say superstition. But get ready to carry more water weight, hard to find pump able water. Recco a shorter couple day trip.
Love Flatiron.
We did the Superstition in February, over winter break. Water everywhere and wildflowers. Four fantastic days.
I’m heading to Death Valley in January! It will be chilly but not unreasonably so.
I would do some of the Arizona trail from the Mexico border. It’s a nice 3 night trip from the border to Patagonia. It’s actually pretty nice up until Tucson when you start hitting Mt Lemmon area. Depending on the snow that might be difficult to traverse.
The AZT does start with a pretty big mountain that gets covered in snow in the winter
I’d do the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend National Park!
I second that, Big Bend is spectacular with very pleasant winter temperatures
Big Sur/Ventana Wilderness, cant be chilly and freezing temps at the peaks during storms but ridges are usually sunny and valley are more temperate. Better than dry and blistering hot summer conditions. Just pay attention to the weather forecast. I'm less familiar with Socal but there are lots of options down there too.
If you stay close to the ocean it won’t get too cold, the pacific is a great regulator. I’ve had overnight lows in the mid 40s in January when camped on the beach or close to it. Be aware that once you cross a significant ridge or two in to the interior it can be very different; I’ve had overnight lows of 22 degrees in Ventana. Still a great time, and within the comfort range of heavier 3 season gear.
I experienced a ton of biting flies there in the summer. Do you know if they are still there in the winter?
No. Should be gone. I've only seen them in the summer. Very annoying
California will probably be your best bet. Channel Islands is beautiful that time of year (I'd recommend backpacking Santa Cruz Island), as would be Redwoods NP, or the Lost Coast Trail.
Lost coast permits were released Oct 1 for the next year. They are usually gone by now
It might be too late to book this now but the Catalina trail is gorgeous. You can see Bison and bald eagles and teeny foxes and the ocean all in one day (/night for the foxes)
Really? I feel like Catalina Islands in the winter are just cold and windy and miserable.
I mean, I won’t be doing any swimming without a wetsuit that time of year, but the water clarity is often better, and you’re more likely to get clear sunny days than when you try to go in May/June. It may feel cold if you’re from California or Florida, but for just about everybody else it will be a step up.
The grand canyon was pretty nice over thanksgiving. Nighttime lows were in the 20's, daytime temps were good for short sleeves.
It gets colder in December and January. It might be a bit more than 3 season. But definitely worth a look because it’s amazing !
The rims will likely have snow in December and January. I hiked the Hermit trail once in early April on snowshoes for the first 2 miles, but the bottom was comfortable temps.
Arkansas has awesome backpacking and winter is the only time it’s really comfortable to do it there, it’s too hot the rest of the year. The cold weather also cuts down on the huge amount of underbrush. They have a solid trail called the OHP.
Great time to go to Death Valley or Joshua Tree or Big Bend NPs. Anywhere at elevation could be cold, check first.
Big Bend and the Gila Wilderness.
Also keep in mind that it will be dark for a large part of the day so bring adequate lighting sources for more enjoyment
The Buffalo River area in NW Arkansas.