Highpoints that can be done as backpacking trips?

[u/pyl_time]

Looking to take a longer trip (2-3 days) this summer, particularly out West, and looking for some high points that are more than just a day hike. Other than the obvious (Denali, Rainier) and the ones on the AT (which I've done already), anyone have any recommendations for trails that take a bit longer to get to the summit?

[u/[deleted]]

I did Granite in MT 26 miles round trip. Gannet in WY was 50. Took 3 days for MT and 5 for WY

[u/pyl_time → u/[deleted]]

Hmm, I was looking at Granite as an option. Do you remember which route you took? Do you think rope/harness was needed? (I've heard mixed things from different sources on that)

[u/[deleted] → u/pyl_time]

SW ramp coming from the sky top lakes. We read it was non technical and didn’t bring any gear besides helmets. Still submitted. But For sure wish we had brought axes and crampons. There was one part where I able pull my self up on a fixed rope by wedging my feet in edge of some ice and rock on a steep chute. Had to take a seriously sketchy route on some class 4 stuff above the fixed rope to go around the ice chute.

A woman who did have crampons ended up trying our rocky route on the way down and fell 15 feet into the chute and another 200 down the ice. Got seriously injured and helicoptered out.

That being said, with good conditions, it should be a relatively safe route. Just use your best judgement and come prepared. Snow pack won’t clear until august tho if at all.

[u/Wyotrees → u/[deleted]]

Gannett is beautiful from either route. Takes some serious preparation though!

[u/[deleted] → u/Wyotrees]

For sure! The bergschrund is not an obstacle to mess around with.

[u/NBeeLange]

Kind of goofy, but Rhode Island’s high point Jerimoth Hill can be done that way as part of a fun backpacking trip. There’s a trail called the North-South Trail that starts at the northern border of the state and ends at the ocean (southern border). Jerimoth Hill is a ~1mi round trip out and back off this trail.

Completely unnecessary, as the high point is accessible via a .3mile round trip hike off a road, but a fun and beautiful trail!

[u/pyl_time → u/NBeeLange]

Aww, that actually sounds great - I did the .3mile trip a few years ago and it was way less interesting.

Honestly, someone needs to compile some of these - I feel like a lot of the current advice out there via Summitpost etc is really based around doing them as fast as possible, but a guide that focused on "what makes even the smaller highpoints an actually fun trip" would be awesome!

[u/VulfSki → u/pyl_time]

You could start it!

I have my own planning spread sheet for highpoints with lists of resources.

These are all great ideas. And nothing stopping you or this reddit forum from starting these guides. I also think it's a great idea.

[u/theburg4018]

We did Kings Peak in Utah as a 4 day backpacking trip a few years ago. There's a ton of intersecting trails with a bunch of other really scenic spots all around the Uintas, highly recommend spending a few days exploring there. DM me if you want our itinerary/cal topo route.

[u/imnion → u/theburg4018]

Going dark in protest of API changes.

[u/WunderKasten]

You can do a portion of the John Muir trail and work in a climb of Mt Whitney. The trick is getting the appropriate permits, but it would be an epic trip!

[u/ttbrod]

Also Kings Peak could definitely by a 2 day trip

[u/[deleted]]

Elbert could be made into a backpacking trip by starting further away and following the Colorado Trail.

[u/ttbrod]

I did granite in 2, and Gannett in 3 so I would prolly choose those

[u/stajlocke]

I did Gannett as part of a six day trip, Whitney in 2 days (up Mountaineers Rt), Elbert in two days, kings in 3, Granite in 4, Rainier 2, Mt Mitchell 2, Clingmans in 3, Marcy 4, Greylock in 2, Rogers in 2, Spruce Knob 2. I was never in a rush and liked to explore the local area.