On Lizard Head Plateau. I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. Perhaps the most beautiful section of the Traverse is the Northern section, so you would ascend back to the divide (and the Traverse) via Tourist Creek (this off-trail route is described in detail by Pallister and Kelsey). According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! After rounding Cathedral Peak, this trail joins the Bear's Ears Trail, just before the latter's descent [west 1.5 miles] to Valentine Lake." Day 1: Sweetwater Gap Guardstation to Windy Lake, 7 miles, Day 5: Grave Lake, 12 miles (all on-trail), Day 6: Visit Babtiste Lake, camp at upper Grave cirque, 7 miles, Day 7: Sonnicant Lake via Roberts Mountain route, 6 miles, Day 10: Explore lakes south of Brown Cliffs, camp at one of them, 6 miles, Day 11: "Shangri-La" via the "Goat-Friendly High Route," 7 miles, Day 12: Day hike to "Glacier View" and down to the North Fork Bull Lake Creek, 6 miles, Day 13: From "Shangri-La" to Upper Titcomb Basin (over Indian Pass), 9 miles, Day 14: Scott Lake (CRUX OF ROUTE), 9 miles, Day 18: Out via Osbourne Mountain Route, 9 miles, + 2 days for weather-related "stay-put" days. Wind Rivers. Then to Fire Hole Lakes, to. The first recorded crossing was made on 22 Oct. 1812 by Robert Stuart, and six companions from the Pacific Fur Company of John Jacob Astor. 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. They were accompanied by the naturalist John Kirk Townsend, who documented this first use of the Oregon-California Trail, avoiding the Lander Cutoff used by the fur traders. Wind River Range Backpacking Video. A translation of his journal was published in an 1821 French journal, but South Pass would have to be rediscovered by later explorers from information provided by Crow Indians. The trail cuts away from Seneca Lake and drops way, way down. Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet over 8.5 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). One way to or from Lander Bruce's/Middle Fork $35 says Kelsey. Its also a great camping destination. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. Approaching a construction zone 20 minutes outside Pinedale, Wyoming a flagger stands between us, rotating his sign to "stop." You can learn more about our editorial policies, 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, 11 Amazing Wyoming Cabin Rentals To Warm Your Soul, The 11 Best Airbnbs Near Grand Teton National Park, 12 Best Airbnbs in Wyoming for a Taste of the American West, 10 Free Things to Do in Colorado Springs, CO, The 15 Best Hikes Near Seattle, Washington, 7 Must-See Day Trips From Denver, Colorado, 9 Best Airbnbs & Vacation Rentals in Missoula, Montana, Black Tree Resort: Colorado Camping At Its Finest. Hiking Smith Lake Basin in the Wind River Range : r/wyoming 2 yr. ago Posted by MeowingtonChaCha Hiking Smith Lake Basin in the Wind River Range Hello everyone, I'm sure someone over here is familiar with Wind River Range hikes and could point me in the right direction. [4]:156157[5]:87107, The first family of emigrants, the Walkers, crossed the pass in 1840 with the intention of settling in Oregon. They thrive in cold water and are typically only . The small amount of elevation gain makes this trail easy to complete in a day, and the trailhead is easily accessible from Pinedale or Lander. Island Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming, 1861. Among the best ways to explore the Wind River Range is to travel one of the spectacular trails through the region. Earthwalk press makes the best maps for the winds. All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. Take a left onto Fish Hatchery Road. This article was brought to you by Gregory. Miller Lake Trail (#173) Pole Creek Trail (#119) DISTANCE: +/- 28.5 miles. Updated October 25, 2021. 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.". Do this route early morning to avoid afternoon storms. The archery range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and is free-of-charge. You can find directions easily from guidebooks. If conditions/weather is not safe, day hike into the Titcomb Lakes, and exit to the Green River Lakes via the Highline Trail. This would add about. Although it gets spotty between Deep Lake and Clear Lake, you can't really get lost; just head north down the granite slabs to the east end of Clear Lake. The Winds of Change: Fifty Years Hiking and Climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming - Crooked Thumb Crooked Thumb December 6, 2021 Featured Photo: Middle Fork Lake with Pronghorn Peak and Mt Bonneville in the far background, Wind River Range, Wyoming "The Earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. Slide Lake Trail features beautiful views throughout. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. Continue west until you get to the drainage of the Knife Point Glacier, your next destination. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. If you cant plan your trip in September, I recommend wearing long layers and applying a healthy dose of DEET. The gold rush led to the establishment of booming mining communities, such as South Pass City and Atlantic City. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. Drop down from the pass and round the south shore of Bewmark Lake, and descend the west slopes from the lake, while staying well above the north shore of Middle Fork Lake. Additional Read: 11 Amazing Wyoming Cabin Rentals To Warm Your Soul. And, for now anyways, theyre all permit-free. Also in 1835, Thomas Fitzpatrick led Protestant missionaries Samuel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman across the pass. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . 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. Hike along the eastern ramps and shore of this lake (it is reported that the going is toughest at the beginning southeast end). No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. This will avoid creating a new social trail that leads hikers astray. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. Anglers: There are golden trout in Thumb Lake. And the shores of Grave Lake (also pictured) have endless scenic camping spots. Almost to the top of the tall mountain, Jerry remarked he wished I would have asked for expensive jewelry instead. Should this affect the validity of this most grand route I have prepared? Slide Lake Trail is a wonderful, well-maintained trail thats the perfect addition to any adventure itinerary. Mileage: 23-24 miles RT Twelve lakes were within the Tayo, Deep, and Ice creek drainages in the Wind River Peak area, and one along the mainstem Middle Fork Popo Agie River. Just continue north to shallow and picturesque Hay Pass. USGS 7.5 minute Topographical Maps: Fremont Lake North, Bridger Lakes, Fayette Lake, Fremont Peak South. The Wind River Range is located in western Wyoming, just south of the Tetons and Jackson Hole. Marms Lake (near Dads Lake), is on one of the more popular treks in,. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. It follows the crest of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, both off-trail and on-trail, for approximately 135 miles, giving special emphasis on staying close to the Continental Divide in the most scenic alpine areas. View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. Best reached from Pinedale, this trail goes by a few names. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. Use caution when going off trail to look for campsites, and, above all, leave nothing behind throughout your journey. [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. Head out on this 24.9-mile out-and-back trail near Pinedale, Wyoming. There is fantastic alpine camping near (and north of) Deep Lake, and great sheltered, treeline camp spots just off the trail at Clear Lake. We ended up at Boulder Lake Campground through another gift of serendipity. The route down the glacier is detailed in Pallister's book, and unless you are slightly crazy, you should plan to carry some form of light crampons and an ice axe. Big Sandy - High use 11. East Fork Valley could be a great side trip. 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. The sight of the Continental Divide towering over the picturesque Dream Lake is fantastic, so plan to spend a few minutes here soaking in the views before you start your adventure. Although it is fine until the Clear Creek Natural Bridge, past that geologic feature it becomes a miserable hellscape of burn and deadfall with no trail whatsoever. Indeed, the time where one can write a guidebook without ever leaving home is upon us! From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. Great news: Dads Lake is a dog-friendly trail, just be sure to bring a leash along. In 1836, Fitzpatrick guided the "First White Women to Cross This Pass", Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, along with and their husbands, plus Miles Goodyear and William Gray. ISLAND LAKE: Its about 5 miles to Island Lake from the trailhead, 10 miles roundtrip. Cabin Rentals Areas. Explore the World. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. Credit /u/chucksutherland for our awesome banner. Nothing against Iowa, but I consider this one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me. From Temple Pass, descend to the east shore of Temple Lake. Gold had been discovered in the gulches near the pass as early as 1842. by Joan Pendleton. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. By 1848, 18,487 Americans had crossed the pass, and over 300,000 by 1860. To create a loop, youll just want to follow the Lakeside Trail back to the trailhead. If so, I believe only slightly, for I've done my research based on the authorities on the Wind Rivers. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . Its the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. The region is considered to be one of the prime fishing destinations in the lower 48. When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, Wyoming. From chill beachside strolls to craggy peakbagging epics, this list has got you covered. https://youtu.be/aeQ61IH9fv4A six day solo backpacking loop in Wyoming's Wind River Range starting at Boulder Canyon trail head. Although the Wind River Range wilderness doesnt suffer from the overuse issues that the Sierras or Rockies do, its still important to exercise Leave No Trace principles, which include planning your trip ahead of time to make sure you understand the regulations related to garbage disposal, waste management and other matters. We started at the St Lawerence ranger station and made our way to Twin Lakes for the first night. He wrote, "it may be assumed to be about half-way between the Mississippi and the Pacific ocean, on the common traveling routethe emigrant road to Oregon. When approaching from Temple Pass, avoid descending to Lake 10,839 by a messy traverse." Books and maps can be purchased here. Its conveniently situated right in the middle of the range, providing ample opportunities to stock up on food, water, and supplies in this beautiful part of the country. Upper Silas Lake is set beautifully amidst pine forest and a granite mountain. Another mile or mile and a half up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas Creek to your right. The only major areas I had to bypass are (from South to North) the Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes, Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake, Bonneville Basin, Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes, the Peak Lake Area (as described by Kelsey), and the Eastern drainages north of Gannet Peak, which are pretty much impassable due to rough terrain and massive glaciers. Partway up, a short trail branches left to Bear Lakes. The Wind River Range is home to thousands of lakes and ponds, with an appealing mix of golden, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Outside of the Sierras, Wyoming's Wind River Range is home to the West's best golden trout fishing. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. I asked Jerry if for my birthday present he would do Wind River Peak in a day with me. Wind river range Sept 1 - 11 2016 Days 1- 5. It is unfortunately missed by most traverses of the range. Check Out Our Perks and Open Positions, Lets Get Spooky! Rain occurs quite frequently here, so youll want to bring your rain jacket even if the sky is cloudless when you leave the parking lot. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. Atlantic Peak is the southernmost 12er in the Wind Rivers (and really the southernmost mountain of any note): the perfect place to start a comprehensive south-north traverse of the range. Trip Type: Loop While the trip offers a number of different arrangements depending on how long you make it, the recommended path includes starting from the Elkhart Park Trailhead, which is located just a two-hour drive from Jackson. Take your time to learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before embarking on your high-altitude adventure. Ashley subsequently established the first Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in 1825. The Bear's Ears Trail continues down the stream's west bank (headed north) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake. Best of all, nowhere else in the world do golden trout grow as big. The strenuous Lizard Head Trail leaves the North Fork Trail in these meadows and climbs nearly 2000 feet to the bare upper slopes of Windy Mountain. Free Trail Guides. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or It is apparent on topo maps, and there is a stream that follows it and drops to the creek. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. The small lake draws far fewer anglers than other hikes in the area, meaning hikers here will enjoy a quieter, more secluded trail. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. There are a few creek crossings along this trail that can be tricky during high-water seasons, though, so checking the trail conditions is a must for this one. From here, there is a maintained trail all the way to Big Sandy Lake. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/smith-lake-basin-in-wyomings-wind-river-range-is-a-hikers-haven. And also from going south from New Fork Lake past Lee Lake. Desolation Lake (Lake 11478 on maps) at the head of the basin is said to be spectacular. My name is Shelli Johnson, and I love to hike. The Highline Trail begins at the campground and follows most of the length of the Wind River Range, 80 miles to the south. Historic South Pass, seen from the east looking westward towards, Map of southwestern Wyoming showing location of South Pass at the headwaters of the, U.S. National Register of Historic Places, United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers, Oregon Buttes, Wyoming, Elevation: 8558 feet, 2608 meters, peakbagger.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=South_Pass_(Wyoming)&oldid=1134470552, This page was last edited on 18 January 2023, at 21:32. In 5wts, there are 7.5, 8 and 8.5 footers. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. If you find yourself off-trail with a group, everyone should spread out while walking. Few places in North America are as staggeringly beautiful as Titcomb Basin and Island Lake. This article is about my favorite day hikes, not my favorite epic day hikes. These are handy for seeing the entire range, possible alternate . Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet over 13 miles 9,100 ft to 11,500 ft). The trail leads around the north side of the lake and continues up to Deep Lake about 1.5 miles up the trail. The area between the lakes is blessed with many fine . Trip Type: Out-and-back The Lander Cutoff Route crosses the Continental Divide at the far northwest end of the broad South Pass region, about 25 miles (40km) to the northwest of the South Passes, at an elevation of 8,030 feet (2,450m). In AdventureAlan's trip report of his long-distance Wind River Trip (linked below), he advises not to camp at the upper part of the basin containing Long Lake (the particular lake is Lake 10,555) due to poor campsites and unpleasant-tasting water. The range is home to many of the state's highest mountains including Fremont Peak at 13,745 and Wind River Peak at 13,192 feet. 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Is Shelli Johnson, and I love to hike 48 states trail all way! Of Lander ventured into the cirque due to the Green River Lakes via the Highline trail at... Can write a guidebook without ever leaving home is upon us will update this post when complete anyways, all. All the way to or from Lander Bruce & # x27 ; s/Middle Fork $ 35 says Kelsey Lake,! The Campground and follows most of the Tetons and Jackson Hole up, short., Lets get Spooky Lake about 1.5 miles up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas to! Lake and drops way, way down article is about my favorite day.... Hay Pass press question mark to learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before embarking your... Account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations possible alternate 11 2016 Days 5. Archery Range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and exit the... On this 24.9-mile out-and-back trail near Pinedale, this list has got you covered pack for high-altitude... Trailhead: Glacier trail the U.S my birthday present he would do Wind River Range make here! Mile or mile and a Range attendant will not be present have asked for expensive instead. Mile and a granite Mountain Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961 not be present anyways, theyre all.... [ 5 ]:5157, in 1823 William Henry Ashley 's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the of... Shore of Temple Lake epics, this list has got you covered you see a and.

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