To Do in 2026

[b.stark]

What do you ride?

Rodeo Labs bikes... mainly a Flaanimal. I've been using a steel one for the off pavement stuff the last couple years, but just today finished up a new one in fancy titanium. Just needs some bar tape, but gotta make sure the cockpit fit is right first.

 

[Tarp Boy]

Our weekend warrior backpacking group tries to schedule a week-long trip each year each summer. Ten years ago we backpacked the Yosemite High Sierra Camp Loop and we vowed to go back. I turn 70 in a few weeks and it's maybe now or never. If we can't score a desired permit, we have a fallback plan to do a loop in the Emigrant Wilderness. We've got it on the books for late August. Big group this time, including my son and son-in-law. Those two are avid fishermen so I'll throw a rod in the pack to spend some quality time with them.
We try to do a few long weekend trips, within driving distance of home (Cincinnati area), in the spring and fall but we haven't even discussed those yet. That will take some more 'planning meetings' at local craft breweries.
A few of the retired gang have added a late season trip in somewhat warmer climes. We've done two segments of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama/Georgia the last two years - may do another section of that in 2026.
Also plan to do some more travel with my wife now that we are both retired. We had to cancel a trip to Acadia NP a few years ago, so that's top of the list.

 

[balzaccom]

PUNKWOOD asked: What are your typical Southwest haunts?

We've been all over the Southwest, but most places are at least a two day drive from home, so they require a bit of an expedition. And it always seems as if we don't have enough time once we get there!

Death Valley many times, as well as Joshua Tree, Mojave Preserve, Manzanar, Bodie, Blythe Intaglios, Red Rock Canyon, and Anza Borrego in our home state of California. We're not counting the Sierra and all our adventures there, or in the northern parts of the state,.

We've spent a few weeks exploring Arizona, from the Grand Canyon (both rims) to Escalante, Glen Canyon, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, Saguaro NP, plus Casa Granda, Navajo NM, Pipe Springs NM, Tumacacori, Walnut Canyon, Tuzigoot, Dead Horse Ranch, Coal Mne Canyon, Wupatki, Montezuma's Castle, etc, all the way down to Organ Pipe and Chiricahua, Patagonia Lake, etc.

And Utah, with Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Cedar Breaks, Natural Bridges. Goblin Valley, Kodrachrome Basin, Monument Valley and Dead Horse Point SP, Fremont Indian SP, Dinosaur NM, Red Canyon, Snow Canyon, etc.

Colorado with RMNP, Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, and Canyons of the Ancients. Nevada, both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon, Cathedral Gorge, Gold Butte, Great Basin, Tule Springs, Berlin-Ichthyosaur, Ft. Chruchill.

New Mexico may be our favorite, with Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, El Morro, Gila Cliffs, Aztec Ruins, Petroglyph NM, Salinas Pueblos, Rockhound SP.

We still have a long list of things we would like to see...and places we would like to return to!

 

[punkwood]

Our weekend warrior backpacking group tries to schedule a week-long trip each year each summer. Ten years ago we backpacked the Yosemite High Sierra Camp Loop and we vowed to go back. I turn 70 in a few weeks and it's maybe now or never. If we can't score a desired permit, we have a fallback plan to do a loop in the Emigrant Wilderness. We've got it on the books for late August. Big group this time, including my son and son-in-law. Those two are avid fishermen so I'll throw a rod in the pack to spend some quality time with them.
We try to do a few long weekend trips, within driving distance of home (Cincinnati area), in the spring and fall but we haven't even discussed those yet. That will take some more 'planning meetings' at local craft breweries.
A few of the retired gang have added a late season trip in somewhat warmer climes. We've done two segments of the Pinhoti Trail in Alabama/Georgia the last two years - may do another section of that in 2026.
Also plan to do some more travel with my wife now that we are both retired. We had to cancel a trip to Acadia NP a few years ago, so that's top of the list.

Nice, some areas we don't see discussed as much on these forums. I hope you follow up with some photos and/or trip reports!

 

[punkwood]

PUNKWOOD asked: What are your typical Southwest haunts?

We've been all over the Southwest, but most places are at least a two day drive from home, so they require a bit of an expedition. And it always seems as if we don't have enough time once we get there!

Death Valley many times, as well as Joshua Tree, Mojave Preserve, Manzanar, Bodie, Blythe Intaglios, Red Rock Canyon, and Anza Borrego in our home state of California. We're not counting the Sierra and all our adventures there, or in the northern parts of the state,.

We've spent a few weeks exploring Arizona, from the Grand Canyon (both rims) to Escalante, Glen Canyon, Petrified Forest, Canyon de Chelly, Saguaro NP, plus Casa Granda, Navajo NM, Pipe Springs NM, Tumacacori, Walnut Canyon, Tuzigoot, Dead Horse Ranch, Coal Mne Canyon, Wupatki, Montezuma's Castle, etc, all the way down to Organ Pipe and Chiricahua, Patagonia Lake, etc.

And Utah, with Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, Arches, Cedar Breaks, Natural Bridges. Goblin Valley, Kodrachrome Basin, Monument Valley and Dead Horse Point SP, Fremont Indian SP, Dinosaur NM, Red Canyon, Snow Canyon, etc.

Colorado with RMNP, Mesa Verde, Hovenweep, and Canyons of the Ancients. Nevada, both Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon, Cathedral Gorge, Gold Butte, Great Basin, Tule Springs, Berlin-Ichthyosaur, Ft. Chruchill.

New Mexico may be our favorite, with Chaco Canyon, Bandelier, El Morro, Gila Cliffs, Aztec Ruins, Petroglyph NM, Salinas Pueblos, Rockhound SP.

We still have a long list of things we would like to see...and places we would like to return to!

Wow, you've seen a lot of the region. Once our stay here in Mexico City is over, we are debating whether or not to move to Northern Arizona or somewhere in New Mexico. Which route my parter takes with her career (academia) may decide this for us. In any event I will be keeping an eye on the NM locations you mentioned as we are fully unfamiliar with that state.

 

[SEAlpine]

2026 will be my first full year being retired and at 51yo the body is feeling pretty good. Feels like I should have a bunch of big trips planned but as of now only Bluff and TMB are locked in for sure.

January- Shovel snow and ski
February- Basing out of Bluff/car camping in tent for ~1-2 weeks to hike Comb Ridge, Cedar Mesa, Needles (never been!).
March- Fish Cr/Owl Cr Loop (or maybe October/November)?
April- Catch my first Steelhead on a fly-rod here in AK
May- More Steelhead and Dolly Varden fishing on the fly-rod
June- Catch my first King Salmon on the fly-rod. Lots of big ridge and mountain hikes.
July- 11 day Tour du Mont Blanc trek with my wife and 17yo daughter. France>Italy>Switzerland>France.
August- Typically sub-alpine hunting for Sitka Blacktail Deer
September- ? Yukon Territories for hiking and Fall tundra colors
October- Finish last half of Snowman Trek in Bhutan (did ~ first half this Spring). North Rim GC? Never been!
November- Cedar Mesa, Fish Cr/Owl Cr?
December- Family time in Maui?

I'm intersted in treks in Azores, Ethiopia, Scotland, and the Arctic Circle Trail but not sure if I'll pull these off this year.

 

[Dreamer]

Drive to Wyoming - currently planning to arrive ~25 June - earlier if possible

Backpack and fish until late September or until work interferes - mostly in the Winds - areas of interest Ross Lks/Ram Flat - Klondike Lk - the third Indian Pass - if I can manage another 50+ night trip that would be good

 

[punkwood]

Drive to Wyoming - currently planning to arrive ~25 June - earlier if possible

Backpack and fish until late September or until work interferes - mostly in the Winds - areas of interest Ross Lks/Ram Flat - Klondike Lk - the third Indian Pass - if I can manage another 50+ night trip that would be good

This makes me have to ask, what is it you do for work (no need to share of course).

 

[Dreamer]

what is it you do for work

I work doing residential disaster damage inspections for a federal contractor providing emergency habitability repairs and needs grants. Interesting, rewarding and intense, a lot of hours at once mostly in the fall. It gives me summers in the West. I’m also a longtime carpenter and use that to supplement sometimes as disasters don’t have a reliable schedule.

 

[punkwood]

I work doing residential disaster damage inspections for a federal contractor providing emergency habitability repairs and needs grants. Interesting, rewarding and intense, a lot of hours at once mostly in the fall. It gives me summers in the West. I’m also a longtime carpenter and use that to supplement sometimes as disasters don’t have a reliable schedule.

Really interesting work to be sure, and does sound intense and rewarding. Was carpentry what took you down the road that got you there?

 

[Dreamer]

Was carpentry what took you down the road that got you there?

Not really though having an understanding of how houses are put together is essential. It was more my lack of interest in a regular job and need for income and desire to do something of service. Someone I knew told me about the work and thought it would suit me and that I’d be good at it back in 2007. At that time we were independent contractors and they didn’t care, gave me an afternoon of in person training and then a year later called me up, gave me a tablet and pushed me out the door “sink or swim - live or die”. I’ve got some stories. The company I’m an employee of now is much better at training and support. They’re always looking for good candidates if anybody wants more info send me a message.

 

[Kmatjhwy]

B.Stark, this is Great with your cycling. Do have to agree with you as being a cyclist myself, traveling via a bicycle is a Great Great Great way to travel. Best to you on this.

And Fossana, Best to you on your plans to bicycle that Salmon River Country. Have thought a bunch on biking the Magruder Corridor Road in Idaho sonetime.

Now for myself, see what happens. As for right now nothing concrete and a bunch of thoughts, so see what happens. But onething for sure is continuing to be here in Ephraim, Utah till spring with working on my old journals. Have been scanning and transcribing my old hiking, traveling, and birding journals which go back to 1978. Going thru them really makes my juices really start flowing, with reading of the old adventures and wanting new adventures. So see what happens.

But just some of the thoughts for starters ...

One thought is go to Denver in the spring, by train and bike most likely, and see my brother there. Then afterwards bike back up to Jackson, Wy. , from there to Jackson via The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and be in the Thorofare and the Wyoming Wilderness Again all all summer. Living deep in the wilderness like in days gone by.

Another is my friend here might be going up to NE Washington in late spring. Go with him and go to the 'Between The Rivers' Primitive Skills Gathering near Spokane. Then see my sister in Kalispell, Mt. Afterwards spend a good part of the summer up in Glacier and the Bob Marshall Country.

Another is getting back to Alaska and go all over hiking, biking and birding. Would Love to get out to the Aleutians Again! Saw them in '21 and they are Incredible! And get to the North Slope and bike all the way down thru Alaska. And Much More.

And in my biking, maybe finally sometime make it over the Magruder Corridor Road in Idaho, from Montana to Washington or vice versa. This is near the top of my bucket list to accomplish at somepoint.

And in the fall, am contemplating biking down from Jackson to the Black Hills, which have never seen, and then possibly to Texas / Western Texas. And then even possibly to Florida.

Going thru my journals really really gives me some thoughts. See What Happens. This past year traveled at somepoint in 10 of the 11 lower 48 western states. See what happens this new year. We are still upright and we all can still 'GO' for it. Will keep everyone appraised as to what happens.

Best to Everyone and Have a Great 2026 with many Great Adventures!

 

[LarryBoy]

Thanks @punkwood for kicking this off!

As for me, I relocated to Mexico City 1.5 years ago from Arizona with my partner and we expect to be here another 2-3 years. Camping is not really a part of the culture here and backpacking and hiking seem to work differently. We've not really fallen into the groove with these activities here yet and I miss them dearly. Beyond that, it takes a bit of effort to get outside of a city this enormous and to any locations where such activities are done. Quite different than Arizona, where we hiked weekly and aimed for a car camping or backpacking trip monthly, but we intend to figure out some good options this year.

That being said, we are visiting Arizona at the end of January during which time we will set off on a short two night trip in the Superstitions with a group of friends who go back 25+ years, eight of us total. Half of the group are new to backpacking, the other half are varying degrees of seasoned. I may post up a trip report if I think to document it well enough. It should be rather cold at night and there is definitely potential for rain. I am very much looking forward to it.

It's been a loooooong time since we had a Supes trip report on here! Definitely looking forward to that.

 

[LarryBoy]

Sat down the other day and put together a very tentative schedule of adventures for pretty much the whole year. There's zero chance that we actually do all of them, but just getting things calendared is such a benefit.

Highlights!

The Headliner:
Europe trip! Half spent at a fancy-pants alpine lodge for Honeymoon 2.0, the other half backpacking with friends in the Dolomites.

Weekend trips:
Cedar Mesa with friends
Packrafting on the Green
Solo sufferfest over Memorial Day
Flat Tops
Loop around the Wetterhorn
Raggeds Wilderness trip

And more! Like @wick e. pedia I'm trying to do more stuff closer to home in CO and spend less time running off to my old haunts in Utah. Getting to know my new home and all that. In particular, it'll be nice to explore some other ranges (e.g. not the San Juans) in Colorado that I haven't visited yet.

 

[LarryBoy]

B.Stark, this is Great with your cycling. Do have to agree with you as being a cyclist myself, traveling via a bicycle is a Great Great Great way to travel. Best to you on this.

And Fossana, Best to you on your plans to bicycle that Salmon River Country. Have thought a bunch on biking the Magruder Corridor Road in Idaho sonetime.

Now for myself, see what happens. As for right now nothing concrete and a bunch of thoughts, so see what happens. But onething for sure is continuing to be here in Ephraim, Utah till spring with working on my old journals. Have been scanning and transcribing my old hiking, traveling, and birding journals which go back to 1978. Going thru them really makes my juices really start flowing, with reading of the old adventures and wanting new adventures. So see what happens.

But just some of the thoughts for starters ...

One thought is go to Denver in the spring, by train and bike most likely, and see my brother there. Then afterwards bike back up to Jackson, Wy. , from there to Jackson via The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, and be in the Thorofare and the Wyoming Wilderness Again all all summer. Living deep in the wilderness like in days gone by.

Another is my friend here might be going up to NE Washington in late spring. Go with him and go to the 'Between The Rivers' Primitive Skills Gathering near Spokane. Then see my sister in Kalispell, Mt. Afterwards spend a good part of the summer up in Glacier and the Bob Marshall Country.

Another is getting back to Alaska and go all over hiking, biking and birding. Would Love to get out to the Aleutians Again! Saw them in '21 and they are Incredible! And get to the North Slope and bike all the way down thru Alaska. And Much More.

And in my biking, maybe finally sometime make it over the Magruder Corridor Road in Idaho, from Montana to Washington or vice versa. This is near the top of my bucket list to accomplish at somepoint.

And in the fall, am contemplating biking down from Jackson to the Black Hills, which have never seen, and then possibly to Texas / Western Texas. And then even possibly to Florida.

Going thru my journals really really gives me some thoughts. See What Happens. This past year traveled at somepoint in 10 of the 11 lower 48 western states. See what happens this new year. We are still upright and we all can still 'GO' for it. Will keep everyone appraised as to what happens.

Best to Everyone and Have a Great 2026 with many Great Adventures!

My goal when I grow up is to be as cool as @Kmatjhwy

 

[Kmatjhwy]

Larryboy, Thanks for the compliment! Happy that can be an inspiration. But you also have had some great great adventures. And being most likely younger then myself, how much still is ahead for you to see and experience. For all of us still alive, Life is Great and has sooooo much to offer!

 

[Pringles]

My goals aren't too lofty. I live by Yellowstone, and I'd like to get to Wahb Springs, Beulah Lake, the Lewis Channel campsite (again), somewhere on the Gallatin Mountains side of the park, Summit Lake or Little Firehole Meadows, Mallard Lake, and Heart Lake. I hope that there will also be random nights at favorite sites as they are open and I am looking for an overnight site. I'd also like to spend a night or two in the Wind River Mountains, though I know not where (recommendations for something pretty, and not too ambitious?), and would be happy seeing what I could see in the Bighorns or Beartooths. Every year I get to a couple of new places and do some repeats, and it makes me quite happy. At the end of the year I will find that I might have done one or two of the ones listed specifically, but very much enjoyed visiting "old friend" sites.

 

[donkiluminate]

My longtime backpacking friend had back surgery had back surgery over the fall so I don't have very lofty goals this year. He was always good for some death marches through the Grand Canyon.

Time to make some new friends and drag my son out into the wilderness.