apachemd,

November is a great month for hiking. No crowds, no bugs, fall colors, good fishing, and active wildlife.

The west coast is mild then, although it can be wet at times. If you have the right clothes nearly every state has suitable hiking in November if you stay at the lower elevations. Some people equate backpacking with tall mountains only.

Big Bend is in the Sonoran Desert which is even hotter than the Mojave. I backpacked there only once for New Year,s and it was grand- 70s daytime, freezing nighttime. November can be too hot and water is really scarce.

Great to hear about Peru, a really intersting place to visit. The only other country I have been to in SA was Bolivia, which is like Peru only more so. More Indios, a humble population and very little hustling.