No camping makes it a bit more challenging

I was going to recommend The Enchantments (already mentioned) or The Thoroughfare in Yellowstone.

You could also do Rocky Mountain National Park and do several days of really big day hikes. Enjoy the civilization of town in the evening then go bang out another monster day hike the next day, rinse repeat....or you could pretty easily string a handful of trails together and make a backpacking trip out of it.

Another suggestion would be hiking one or both of Sperry or Granite Park chalets in Glacier NP.....or similarly, the High Sierra Camps in Yosemite (double check to make sure they're open - I dont know if they have fully opened post-pandemic)

Could also hit Idaho and put together a nice trip in the Sawtooths or do the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Western Montana....I don't have any specific recs for those though.

Couple of options...

Chicago basin in Colorado.

You take the narrow gauge railroad from Durango to Silverton and have them stop at needle creek. Cross the footbridge and head up needle creek trail for 10ish miles. It comes out in a basin with 4 14ers surrounding it and a lake in the middle. Time it for no full moon and hope it has no clouds. It is probably the least polluted, darkest spot in the continental US so it has the most stars of anywhere.

Two options out... go back from whence you came or go out Vallecito creek into Bayfield. I remember the Vallecito option is longer and harder, but that was a long time ago.

Bonus... you can summit each of the 14ers. One of them he true summit is on a rock that you have to jump to and cling on. Don't fall.

I think this is the single best hike in America.

Video



Bishop pass into the Middle Fork of the Kings

This is hard. The shuttle is completely epic, the climb is grueling, the descent is worse. But you will be on another planet and see stuff you just can't see anywhere else. Don't hurt yourself and don't screw up as there is no way out except a sat phone and helicopter. Bears, Mountain lions, poison oak as big as your wrist, rattlesnakes, etc. You will see very few people on this trail. It is hard and tops out around 12k. Kings canyon is America's best park, it is Yosemite without the idiots.



https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7008433/middle-fork-trail

Start in Bishop and go over the top if you can arrange shuttle.

The video gives a good idea but they went out and back. You really want to go over the top and down the middle fork of the kings until it gorges out. From there you head more south until you come out near some campgrounds and river shuttle services/rafters.

Like someone said earlier, lots of great options on Kuaui.

Also in the San Juan Mountains, take a Jeep or UTV from Lake City CO on the Alpine Loop and pick from multiple hikes. Lots of options not far from Lake City. Never been to Chicago Basin but looks awesome too.

Look up Crow Pass Trail in Girdwood,AK. Long hike (26+) and can be completed in one day in daylight during the summer. Plus lots of elevation hikes all over the area for rest/easy days.

Make it a longer trip and you can hike through Denali.

knoxtom said:

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Couple of options...

Chicago basin in Colorado.

You take the narrow gauge railroad from Durango to Silverton and have them stop at needle creek. Cross the footbridge and head up needle creek trail for 10ish miles. It comes out in a basin with 4 14ers surrounding it and a lake in the middle. Time it for no full moon and hope it has no clouds. It is probably the least polluted, darkest spot in the continental US so it has the most stars of anywhere.

Two options out... go back from whence you came or go out Vallecito creek into Bayfield. I remember the Vallecito option is longer and harder, but that was a long time ago.

Bonus... you can summit each of the 14ers. One of them he true summit is on a rock that you have to jump to and cling on. Don't fall.

I think this is the single best hike in America.

Video



Bishop pass into the Middle Fork of the Kings

This is hard. The shuttle is completely epic, the climb is grueling, the descent is worse. But you will be on another planet and see stuff you just can't see anywhere else. Don't hurt yourself and don't screw up as there is no way out except a sat phone and helicopter. Bears, Mountain lions, poison oak as big as your wrist, rattlesnakes, etc. You will see very few people on this trail. It is hard and tops out around 12k. Kings canyon is America's best park, it is Yosemite without the idiots.



https://www.hikingproject.com/trail/7008433/middle-fork-trail

Start in Bishop and go over the top if you can arrange shuttle.

The video gives a good idea but they went out and back. You really want to go over the top and down the middle fork of the kings until it gorges out. From there you head more south until you come out near some campgrounds and river shuttle services/rafters.

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I didn't catch that you said no camping. Both of these options are overnighters