The Rockies and America’s deserts are iconic, instantly recognizable.

From Grand Teton’s silhouette to the view from the Grand Canyon’s Horseshoe Bend, America’s outdoors are exemplified by the mountain west in movies and postcard pictures.

But backpackers know the real beauty is beyond what you can see at a pull-off viewpoint. The best backpacking trails in this region give the snapshots dimension, give you a chance to glimpse wildlife, and see what life is like in the mountains or deserts after sunset.

Here, we’ll highlight a few of them.

The list focuses on trails that can be done from 3 to 14 days. Three days is the minimum as it allows the one full day in the backcountry necessary to qualify as a backpacking trip. The two-week maximum was selected for those who want to use their precious two-weeks of vacation to tackle one of the premiere routes in America. Anything longer belongs in the conversation of thru-hikes. 

The order is arbitrary, but the metrics we’ve devised are paramount. True to our name, we have developed a number of data points by ratings that provide an easy, digestible way to analyze the trails according to length, elevation gain, difficulty, trail characteristics, seasonal access, available solitude, wildlife and insect pressure and other important features.

Uinta Highline Trail (Leidy Peak to Hayden Pass), Utah 

Location: Northeastern Utah between Leidy Peak and Hayden Pass along the Uinta mountains.

Highlights: Remote wilderness, alpine lakes, Kings Peak access

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Uinta Highline Trail
• Trip Report: Backpacking Light Trip Report
• Map & Guide: Uinta Highline Trail Guide

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 78 miles
• Duration: 6-10 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 15,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 192 feet
• Absolute Grade: 7.2%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Moderate
• Terrain Profile: Mixed – remote high-elevation terrain with variable conditions

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: High-altitude hiking (staying above 10,000 feet for extended periods)
• Trail Surface: Varied with rocky sections and occasional poorly marked trail
• Elevation Range: 9,400-12,800 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack: 2/10 – bear cans recommended, limited water and resupply options
• Weather Consistency: 2/10 – high elevation exposure to weather, possible snow all year, sudden afternoon storms, temperature swings of 40°F within 24 hours
• Water Availability: 6/10 – few water sources at the start, but availability increases, some begin hike with 5L
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 7/10 – mosquitos dense near lakes in summer, horse flies July/August, fewer insects after mid-August
• Trail Solitude: 8/10 – remote with few hikers, limited access points reduce traffic
• Wildlife Safety: 5/10 – few black bears and mountain lions, some moose
• Permit Availability : 9/10 – self-issued permits at trailheads, no quotas or advanced reservations required
• Seasonal Access: 4/10 – Primary season is Late June-September
• Resupply Options: 1/10 – 75+ miles without commercial resupply options, remote terrain with just one dirt road crossing
• Trailhead Access: 3/10 – Remote trailheads require long drives on forest roads, some requiring 4WD, with the western terminus (Hayden Pass) more accessible than eastern

Teton Crest Trail, Wyoming 

Location: Bridger-Teton National Forest to Teton National Park in Western Wyoming

Highlights: Teton Range views, alpine meadows, Paintbrush Divide

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Grand Teton Association
• Trip Report: Teton Crest Trail Trip Report
• Map & Guide: Falcon Guide to Grand Teton National Park

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 40 miles point-to-point
• Duration: 3-5 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 9,600 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 240 feet
• Absolute Grade: 9.2%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Terrain Profile: Steep – significant elevation gain over high passes

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: High mountain passes, possible snowfields even in summer
• Trail Surface: Well-defined trails with rocky sections at higher elevations
• Elevation Range: 7,000-10,700 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack: 3/10 – bear cans required, grizzly mace, limited resupply
• Weather Consistency: 4/10 – intense temperature swings between day and night, possible year round snow, lightning storms in the summer
• Water Availability: 6/10 – reliable creek crossing in most sections, some dry stretches along ridgelines, may have to carry 3L in certain sections
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 5/10 – dense mosquitos during snowmelt, biting flies in meadows during summer, bugs gone by August 
• Trail Solitude: 5/10 –  popular but limited by permitting, some sections (Marion Lake, Death Canyon) prone to day hiker traffic, more solitude on weekdays
• Wildlife Safety: 2/10 smack dab in the middle of grizzly country
• Permit Availability : 6/10 – Competitive advance reservation system, 2/3 of permits held for walk-up (viable option), weekends in July/August most competitive
• Seasonal Access: 3/10 – Primary season is Mid-July – September
• Resupply Options: 1/10 – No on-trail resupply options, but short enough to carry all supplies
• Trailhead Access: 6/10 – various options, including season shuttle system, trailhead parking can be a challenge

Four Pass Loop, Colorado

Location: Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Western Colorado

Highlights: Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, four 12,000+ foot passes

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Colorado Mountain Club
• Trip Report: Four Pass Loop Trail Report
• Map & Guide: Tree Line Review

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 28 mile loop
• Duration: 3-4 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 9,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 321 feet/mi
• Absolute Grade: 12.2%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Expert
• Terrain Profile: Steep – four distinct mountain passes above 12,000 feet

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: Multiple high-altitude passes, possible snowfields year-round
• Trail Surface: Well-established trail with rocky, steep sections over passes
• Elevation Range: 9,600-12,500 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack: 5/10 bear cans required, short duration helps, pack for cold nights
• Weather Consistency: 4/10 – extreme exposure to weather, afternoon thunderstorms almost daily in summer, year-round snow possible
• Water Availability: 7/10 – frequent water access in valleys, the passes are dry
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 8/10 – mosquitos heavy during snowmelt, gone by august
• Trail Solitude: 3/10 – extremely popular especially on weekends, crowded campsites, heavy day-hiker traffic
• Wildlife Safety: 7/10 – scattered black bear population; few mountain lions
• Permit Availability : 3/10 – Advanced permit reservation required, sell out due to limited number and popularity
• Seasonal Access: 3/10 – Primary season is July – September
• Resupply Options: N/A – loop is only 28 miles
• Trailhead Access: 5/10 – Paved roads, but limited parking and no public transport beyond a shuttle at Maroon Lake in the summer

Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to-rim, Arizona

Location: Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona.

Highlights: Dramatic views of the Grand Canyon, stark desert environment, crossing the Colorado River, considerable elevation change

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Rim to Rim Club
• Map & Guide: Official Guide to Hiking Grand Canyon

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 45 miles
• Duration: 3-5 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 11,000 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 244 feet
• Absolute Grade: 9.3%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Strenuous
• Terrain Profile: Steep – dramatic descent and ascent out of canyon

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: Extreme heat considerations, significant elevation change
• Trail Surface: Well-maintained but steep trails with countless switchbacks
• Elevation Range: 2,400-8,200 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack Weight: 3/10 – heavy water carry due to limited supply and extreme heat
• Weather Consistency: 3/10 extreme daytime heat (110°F) but cold nights, possible flash floods during monsoon season, 20°F degree difference between rim and canyon
• Water Availability: 3/10 – some designated water sources (Phantom Ranch, rest houses), seasonal unreliability, 6L carries common
• Low Insect/Reptile Pressure: 3/10 – rattlesnakes common and scorpions present throughout, minimal insect pressure
• Trail Solitude: 1/10 – not doing this one for the solitude, corridor trails are some of the busiest in a busy national park, Phantom Ranch/Bright Angel often crowded
• Wildlife Safety: 8/10 – minimal bear population, few mountain lions
• Permit Availability : 1/10 – extremely competitive lottery system with a 1% success rate for popular dates
• Seasonal Access: 6/10 – accessible year-round but summer heat is extreme and dangerous, spring and fall ideal but popular
• Resupply Options: 5/10 – Phantom Ranch offers limited supplies, services on North Rim
• Trailhead Access: 8/10 – South Rim is easily accessible by car, shuttle, bus or train, North Rim requires a longer drive and is closed in the winter

Gila Wilderness Loop, New Mexico

Location: Gila National Forest, southwest New Mexico

Highlights: America’s first designated wilderness area, cliff dwellings, hot springs, river crossings, diverse ecosystems

Resources:

• Trail Organization: Gila Back Country Horsemen
• Trip Report: Gila Wilderness Loop
• Free Digital Map (PDF): Gila Wilderness Map

Physical Metrics:

• Distance: 45-50 miles
• Duration: 4-5 days
• Total Elevation Gain: 5,146 feet
• Elevation Gain per Mile: 114 feet
• Absolute Grade: 4.3%

Trail Classification:

• Difficulty: Easy
• Terrain Profile: Mixed – canyon and forest terrain with river crossings

Trail Characteristics:

• Technical Features: Multiple river crossings, hot springs, historic sites
• Trail Surface: Variable trail conditions with some poorly marked sections
• Elevation Range: 5,700-9,000 feet

Ratings:

• Light Pack Weight: 8/10 – short duration, no bear can requirements, may need shoes for water crossings
• Weather Consistency: 4/10 – summer thunderstorms, flash floods, cold nights, rare flash floods during monsoon season 
• Water Availability: 6/10 – frequent river crossings, generally available, but quality varies, hot springs contaminate some sources
• Low Insect/ReptilePressure: 2/10 – rattlesnakes and scorpions are common, mosquitos heavy near water, ticks in warmer months
• Trail Solitude: 9/10 – solitude hunters delight, limited permits/publicity keep use low, even hot springs see moderate use
• Wildlife Safety: 6/10 – black bears and mountain lions present, no grizzlies
• Permit Availability: 8/10 – Self-issued permits at trailheads, rarely reaches capacity
• Seasonal Access: 7/10 – Accessible year-round, but summer is hot and prone to monsoons and winter brings moderate chance of snow
• Resupply Options: 1/10 – no resupply options on trail
• Trailhead Access: 3/10 – Remote trailheads requiring driving on rough dirt roads, limited signage

Gear Analytica Editor-in-Chief Kyle Magin contributed to this piece.