From Lake 10,542, travel northwest through the rugged valley containing Long Lake (Lake 10,683). Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. Although the Wind River Range is not quite as tall on average as the Rockies, altitude is still a major consideration for backpackers and hikers alike, particularly at elevations above 9,000 feet. 18.4 mi / 2280 ft gain The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. --Eric C. The Deep Lake Cirque from Deep Lake, Wind River Range. After approximately 2 miles, branch off to the right and ascend for 1 mile to Baptiste Lake. This article is about my favorite day hikes, not my favorite epic day hikes. Utah may be a giant desert, but it's still got plenty of waterfalls for adventurous hikers to chase. We released them all, but it was quite a day. Above treeline no trail has been worn, but you can follow cairns across the windswept plateau. Robert "Doc" Newell's first child was born at South Pass in June 1835. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. All of the areas I missed are accessible by reasonable day hikes off the WRRT, with the exception of the Northeast corner of the Range around Ross Lakes. Glaciers have left their mark in the form of U-shaped valleys, serrated peaks and ridges, and alpine cirques. If conditions/weather is not safe, day hike into the Titcomb Lakes, and exit to the Green River Lakes via the Highline Trail. You'll touch the east shore of Lonesome Lake, and follow the trail east to Lizard Head Meadows. View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. roanoke virginia blue ridge mountains peaks of otter From the northwest corner of Scott Lake, ascend northwest to "Smirnoff Pass" (unofficial name of the pass between Scott Lake and Lake 11085 to the north). If you're not comfortable traversing the Mammoth Glacier described in Pallister's book, an alternate route is to go over Knapsack Col and down to Peak Lake, over Cube Rock Pass, and join the Highline Trail near Trail Creek Park. [5]:7982, In 1834, Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth led the first Methodist missionaries Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, and Cyrus Shepard across the pass. From the peak, descend west to the saddle, and northeast down the valley (cirque) to a group of lakes, one of which is Windy Lake. Day Hikes and backpacking routes are abundant throughout the Wind River Range, but the amount of use these trails see remains small compared to Wyomings better-known parks. Given the easy elevation gain and well maintained trail, this is a great choice for families. Upper Silas Lake offers great fishing. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park For the last five years the mythical Wind Rivers have eluded my presence. Seven Nights in the Wind River Range: Visiting the Popo Agie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest, and Catching Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout by the Score. Continue north past the west side of Lake 11085 and weave your way through the multitude of lakes north and east of Mount Solitude. Wind River Range Backpacking Video. The falls run right along the Slide Lake Trail, so no extra hiking is required to reach this though youll definitely want a top map to help you find the waterfall. For avid backcountry anglers, this route offers excellent opportunities for side trips to nearby lakes and alpine streams, where the trout are avid for summer fly hatches. For rods, I prefer 3 piece bamboo when backpacking. The small lake draws far fewer anglers than other hikes in the area, meaning hikers here will enjoy a quieter, more secluded trail. It is non-technical, but may require technical gear in early-season. Turn right on the road and walk back to your car. Last year on our Jerrys and my anniversary, we took the boys on a hiking and fishing trip to Silas. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. The ancient mountain range boasts the most extensive glacial network in the lower 48 states, featuring 130 glaciers and 1,300 pristine alpine lakes filled with trout. If you're looking for day-hikes out of GRL, try Slide or even Valaite . Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. To first of the Stough Creek Basin lakes: 6.5 miles/13 miles round-trip. Go instead a couple of miles farther to Lizard Head Meadows or a short ways up the Bear's Ears Trail (described in the next section). Reaching the pass on 8 Aug. 1842, Fremont wrote, "The ascent had been so gradual, that, with all the intimate knowledge possessed by Carson, who had made the country his home for seventeen years, we were obliged to watch very closely to find the place at which we had reached the culminating point." The Wind River Range is home to thousands of lakes and ponds, with an appealing mix of golden, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. We ended up at Boulder Lake Campground through another gift of serendipity. His favorite place he's ever visited is Alaska, and his favorite activity might be fishing or reading, depending on the day. The range spans over 100 miles running roughly from Jackson, WY at its northwest edge, to Atlantic City, WY at its south eastern terminus. The rest of the route down to Scott Lake is also detailed in Pallister's Book. The Big Sandy Trailhead is the gateway to several popular backpacking trails, so you will pass more hikers here than in other areas. Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). It offers panoramic views and excellent backcountry camping without the heavy mileage of its longer cousin. But what does that really mean? This is rated as class 2-3 by Pallister. For a while we were losing so much eleveation I thought we might have taken a wrong turn. This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images Island Lake Backpack in the Wind River Range, Wyoming - This very popular backpack leads to Island Lake (10,346-ft.), a stunning destination with great day hiking, good fishing and scenic campsites. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. First, I experienced some great fishing for Rainbows on Ross Lake (big rainbows)and cutties from Hidden Lake. Location. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Drop down to Lake 10,566 and follow the East Fork River and pick up the same trail (from Pyramid Lake) further down at Skull Lake.] Wind River Backcountry Rock Location Wind River Range Season Summer - Fall Difficulty Moderate - Hard Duration 5 - 7 Days 1 2 Overview Jackson Hole Mountain Guides have been climbing in the Winds for decades, and have racked up an impressive list of ascents of many of their finest routes. Why you should go: Arguably the most popular day hike in the Wind River Range, Photographers Point never fails to impress with its stunningly picturesque scenery. The goal of the WRRT is to traverse the entirety of the Wind River Range in the most scenic and spectacular way possible. The majority of the Wind River Ranges hikes and primary backpacking trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or above, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for unprepared visitors. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. The Wind River Range is located in western Wyoming, just south of the Tetons and Jackson Hole. P.O. As you make your way under the gigantic shadow of Warbonnet Peak, there are many ups and downs and rocky sections to shift your gaze to your feet. The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. The Big Piney Ranger District hosts a wide variety of cultural and natural history, recreational opportunities, timber, range, mineral reserves, and wildlife. It lies in a broad high region, 35 miles (56km) wide, between the nearly 14,000ft (4,300m) Wind River Range to the north and the over 8,500ft (2,600m) Oregon Buttes[3] and arid, saline near-impassible Great Divide Basin to the south. Its got more than 40 named granite peaks that soar 13,000 feet or higher, scores of giant glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of incredible hiking trails. By 1838, four additional American missionary women had crossed the pass, Myra Fairbanks Eells, Mary Richardson Walker, Mary Augusta Dix Gray and Sarah Gilbert White Smith. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. 13 Halloween Camping Activities, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, How Marfa Became the Art and Glamping Capital of Texas, 30+ Tips on Camping with Kids, From Parents Who Have Been There. Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. The roads are entirely gravely / dirt after this, but are fairly well-maintained and should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles. Shooters must supply their own target holders, which must meet the approval of the shooting range attendant. Wind River Mountains Topographic Map - Northern Half by Beartooth Mapping. This article on Marfa camping is brought to you by OOFOS, whose womens footwear line is made with patented foam that enhances muscle recovery and, We recently asked our Facebook Campfire group for advice on camping with kids, and the responses flooded in with everything from let them help with, 2022 The Dyrt, Inc | All rights reserved, 4 Stunning Routes for Backpacking Through Wyomings Wind River Range, 6 Private Campgrounds to Book When Your Favorite National Parks are Full. According to Joe Kelsey, "Above treeline, while the Forest Service doesn't maintain the trail shown on the Temple Peak quad, you shouldn't have trouble switchbacking to Temple Pass, the 11,480-foot saddle between Temple and East Temple Peaks.". The foreground streaks in from the right front of the canvas, a rocky outcropping with trees, some fallen, and verdant grasses invite the viewer into the painting to take a moment before looking out over the edge of the cliff into the vast wilderness. We started at the St Lawerence ranger station and made our way to Twin Lakes for the first night. AREA MAPS: Beartooth Publishing North Wind River Range. Why you should go: Discover a hidden treasure while enjoying sweeping views along the Slide Lake Trail. _Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes are accessed by descending south on the Hay Pass trail, the heading northwest passing Timico Lake, then on trails west to Baldy Lakes and north to Bald Mountain Basin. If so, I believe only slightly, for I've done my research based on the authorities on the Wind Rivers. Most commonly referred to as New Fork Trail, the trailhead sign actually says Lozier Lakes, and the Forest Service labels it as Clark Creek #7185. Pole Creek Trail is another trail that takes off from the Big Sandy Trailhead and is the gateway to the Cirque of the Towers area. When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, Wyoming. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. Located in the southern section of the Wind River Range (or "Winds" for short), the cirque is a very popular destination for technical rock climbers. All of which means that Wind River Range backpacking is a must-do for anyone serious about getting outside. Joe Kelsey says the following of this area, "Hall's Lake sits at 10,602 feet in the midst of a large area decreed trailless by the Forest Service. Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. Marms Lake (near Dads Lake), is on one of the more popular treks in,. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. The region is considered to be one of the prime fishing destinations in the lower 48. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. Shelli Johnson, owner of Epic Life, is an entrepreneur, life and leadership coach, leadership development facilitator, keynote presenter, writer, adventurer and guide. All Tours Tour Sale. Trip Type: Out-and-back Pursuing from thence an easterly course, they fell upon the River Platte of the Missouri, where they passed the winter and reached St. Louis in April, 1813. Mosquitoes are treacherous here in the Winds during the warmer months. Additionally, from 1962 through 1983, a U.S. Steel iron ore mine operated in Atlantic City, and the company's Atlantic City Mine Railroad crossed South Pass. Following the partly maintained Christina Pass Trail starting east of the trailhead at Sweetwater Guard Station (not at the end of the 2-mile dirt road to the normal Sweetwater Gap TH), you hike approximately 3 miles to the intersection with the North Fork of Blair Creek. 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