I am thinking about doing a 10 day trip up in the Sawtooth Wilderness in Idaho. I spent a week in Estes Park, Co in Sept for work/play. I live in Houston and would be driving since I am taking my dog. Colorado is closer but I have a feeling Idaho has a more remote feeling. I spent two weeks in Banff/Jasper last June really like the remote feeling. Anyway I want to see what you guys prefer for those who have been to both. National Parks are out the question because I have a dog

I've hiked and climbed a fair amount in the Sawtooth Range as well as in the Whitecloud Mountains. I really enjoyed my time there. But, I was there in the 50's and 60's and the isolation and remoteness I enjoyed may no longer exist. I lived in Boise in the late 50's; IIRC the population was about 50,000. It is now nearly 250,000 in the Boise metro area. In the 50's Idaho had fewer people than did Seattle. What I'm saying is that things may have changed. The Sawtooths always put me in mind of the Sierra Nevada.

Denver has had similar growth, but much bigger.

However, there are lots of spectacular mountain ranges in Colorado that are not within convenient driving range of Denver--you might want to research those.

I always wanted to visit the San Juan Range (which would be closer to you), but haven't gotten there. It's a long way from Oregon and there are so many spectacular mountains closer to me.

If I lived in your part of the country, though, I'd check out the San Juans first! It's a long drive from Houston, but not nearly as far as Idaho or even northern Colorado.

thanks I appreciate it. yeah, that my thing. Idaho is two 16 hour days of driving

There is always Northern New Mexico. Much closer to you. And then there is Ashley National Forest in Utah, otherwise known as the Uintas. You have the Wind Rivers in Wyoming, which are almost as far as the Sawtooth, just a little closer.

All places will have their busy areas and their isolated areas. Generally, the farther away from a car, the more isolated. But if there is an attraction (like a specific peak) there might be a lot of people trying to get to it.
For example, in the Uintas, there is King's Peak. It is 2 days from a car. However, if you are between the peak and the parking lot....lots of backpackers. If you go past the peak or even left or right of the area between the cars and the peak... no one. Very interesting.

We were in Ruidoso a couple of years ago and they had a nasty forest fire from a lightning strike. Were you to decide northern NM was a good choice I'd look into there being a forest to enjoy first as I know it was rather large.

I looked at Ashley national forest. That may be a possibility. I would be coming through utah. I plan on stopping in utah for a few day and hitting up Death Hollow or the Escalante area. Depending on how long I take off. Probably 11 day. I also looked at Wind River. I have month before I really need to start planning and deciding on where I am going. I went to Colorado about 2 month after I got back from Banff/ Jaspers so Colorado was a huge let down because I had the Canadian Rockies in my head