One of these lakes goes by the alias "Flying Monkey Lake" (not on maps), and is the home of the largest Golden Trout in the world. As with Titcomb Basin, snowpack is often the determining factor in how early or late in the season you should aim to start your trip. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office. by Daniell LaFleur If you're looking for day-hikes out of GRL, try Slide or even Valaite . From here the trail ascends 400 feet and then drops down into Dickenson Park. Do this route early morning to avoid afternoon storms. As a natural crossing point of the Rockies its pioneering was a significant but surprisingly difficult achievement in the westward expansion of the United States. [5]:7982, In 1834, Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth led the first Methodist missionaries Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, and Cyrus Shepard across the pass. It lies in a broad high region, 35 miles (56 km) wide, between the nearly 14,000 ft (4,300 m) Wind River Range to the north and the over 8,500 ft (2,600 m) Oregon Buttes [3] and arid, saline near-impassible Great Divide Basin to the south. The trail then follows a loop around the lake before returning back to the original junction. This trail is 40.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 7,513 ft. What is the longest trail in Wind River Range? I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. This is the only small section of the WRRT where these tools may be required. You end up where Palister calls "Shangri-La." This trip was planned as a 10 day shuttle trip from Meadow Lake TH to Boulder lake TH on the west side of the Winds out of PInedale WY. UPPER SILAS LAKE: Its about 3 miles from the trailhead to Upper Silas Lake, 6 miles roundtrip. They thrive in cold water and are typically only . Highlights: 48 summits higher than 12,500 feet, Gannett Peak-Wyoming's highest, 7 of the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, 2,900 lakes and ponds, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, many campgrounds and trailhead access points. Its worth sharing the trail with more hikers, though, as the dramatic peaks surrounding the Big Sandy Lake Trail will not disappoint! From the Upper Basin, about 1.5 miles past the north-most lake, ascend west to Knapsack Col. From the Col, travel west while staying above (north) of the Peak Lake drainage. This vast 110-mile uplifted spine offers limitless climbing and hiking in a remote setting. Hiking plays a part in just about everything I do. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. After Diane and I visited the Wind Rivers for the Great American Eclipse in 2017 we decided that we should try to return every other summer to visit somewhere new in the range. Rainbow Lake is a popular fishing destination, so hikers typically bring along fishing poles to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. From Upper Silas. Go south up the glacier to the top of Indian Pass. Many short hikes here will lead up to a lake, giving you the chance to bring the fishing pole along and enjoy a few hours of fishing before heading back to the trailhead. Labeled Pinedales most popular day hike, this hike is a guaranteed winner if you can handle the distance. Upper Silas Lake offers great fishing. The trails of the Wind River Range begin at a higher elevation than other ranges throughout the Mountain West. Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. This is a great destination because you can sit on granite slabs that slide into the lake in many places, and there are granite mountains all around you. Another mile or mile and a half up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas Creek to your right. _The Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. Your jaw WILL drop (if it didn't already) when you reach the crest of Jackass Pass and overlook Lonesome Lake and the Cirque. The Big Piney Ranger District hosts a wide variety of cultural and natural history, recreational opportunities, timber, range, mineral reserves, and wildlife. The roads are entirely gravely / dirt after this, but are fairly well-maintained and should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles. As far as camping, it sounds like you could potentially camp anywhere along this section. Both areas, located just west of the Continental Divide, are rich in outstanding scenery and recreation opportunities. The best time to visit the Titcomb Basin area is in the late summer, beginning in July and ending in late September. By 1848, 18,487 Americans had crossed the pass, and over 300,000 by 1860. Nothing against Iowa, but I consider this one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. Call 307.438.970 or Email windrivershuttle@gmail.com to Book For point-to-point trips, we recommend we meet you at your take-out point and we shuttle you to your start location. lewis smith lake lewis smith lake alabama smith lake alabama The height of Mt. The Wind River Roadless Area also lies within the Wind River Range. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. (Joshua Bergan photo) Few mountain ranges in the world offer the outdoorsman as much as Wyoming's Wind River Range: Miles of trail to ride or backpack, glaciers to climb, some of the world's best granite for rock climbing. Some of our favorite day hikes are: Stough Creek Basin, Smith, Middle and Cathedral Lakes, Island and Thumb lakes in Silas Canyon, Lake Louise, and anything on the Middle Fork Trail, which starts at Bruces Bridge at the end of Sinks Canyon, and takes us all the way to Wind River Peak. It is a beautiful lake! roanoke virginia blue ridge mountains peaks of otter Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. "Don and I both knew that it was possible to do a great high route in the Wind River Range," Alan wrote me in an email. Looks like a cool hike though! Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park ), But I digress. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or On day 2 we started out from Twin lakes and bushwacked our . There is apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the pond that traverses the cliffs above Little Sandy Creek. Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. From Hall's Lake, travel west under the shadow of Horseshoe Ridge and north of Medina Mountain to Lake 10,542 (EC Lake) in Europe Canyon. Almost to the top of the tall mountain, Jerry remarked he wished I would have asked for expensive jewelry instead. 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. Box 925 Continue north to the head of Tourist Creek, and ascend northeast above lake 10890 all the way to the divide near Point 12450. When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, Wyoming. Cirque of the Towers Wind River Range #78372 Purchase. P.O. The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. Why is this hike so popular? Depending on where you decide to camp, there may or may not be trees large enough to create bear hangs, so bear canisters may be the most sensible option. If you only have time for a single day hike through the Wind River Range, follow the Pole Creek Trail to Photographers Point. Lower Silas Lake: Its about 2 miles to Lower Silas Lake, 4 miles roundtrip. From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. However, it was not until 1867, when an ore sample was transported to Salt Lake City, that an influx of miners descended into the region. View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. Upload a photo Fix/Improve This Page My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. Among the best ways to explore the Wind River Range is to travel one of the spectacular trails through the region. Indeed, the time where one can write a guidebook without ever leaving home is upon us! It goes west across the expansive plateau of Osborne Mountain, then follows Mill Creek to the Osborne Cabin, on old homestead of a famous trapper. However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. That was an epic day, and and unforgettable birthday gift that was hard-earned to say the least. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . 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 trail leads around the north side of the lake and continues up to Deep Lake about 1.5 miles up the trail. No matter what you plan to do while in Missoula, these Airbnbs can complete the puzzle for a perfect escape. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. Ashley sold out to Smith, William Sublette, and David Jackson in 1826, becoming their supplier. Clear Lake is a great spot to watch sunrise and sunset, particularly if the winds are calm. This would add about. 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. Why you should go: No need for lengthy trips here views of Squaretop Mountain and alpine lakes are easily accessible from the Lower Green River Trail. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. 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. Its recommended for the Cirque of the Towers loop that you bring a map and compass and that you know how to use them. Boulder Lake-High use 9. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office, improvements All the information is there; there are no gray areas. September is when temperatures begin to drop low enough to get rid of the little buggers. But what does that really mean? Slide Creek Falls is a unique waterfall thats not very known unless you look at a topo map. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! 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). Stay right at the junction and continue. In 1841, Fitzpatrick led the Bartleson-Bidwell Party across the pass, the first wagon train. If traveling lightly and in peak physical condition, it could be possible to do this route in a little over a week. Beyond the upper lake a use-trail leads to an overlook above the south end of photogenic Wall Lake, set beneath the soaring granite slopes of an unnamed peak to the west. The Jean Lakes are a long day hike from Titcomb Basin via the Highline Trail. From Middle Fork Lake, it is approximately 2 trailless miles to Hall's Lake. If youre planning a Wind River Range backpacking trip at altitude, consider how hard youre trying to push yourself, and make sure you know how to tell if youre dehydrated or suffering from mild altitude sickness. 18.4 mi / 2280 ft gain The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. From the main trail, you might not see Lower Silas Lake, unless youre looking for it. Then to Fire Hole Lakes, to. It was also the first big wall climb outside of Yosemite to be rated at Grade VI, a very serious, multi-day rock climb with a long and arduous approach. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. Everest!! I asked Jerry if for my birthday present he would do Wind River Peak in a day with me. Stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range in Wyoming is an oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry exploration. What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? The Wind River Range is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, bald eagles, wolverines and grizzly bears, making it an incredible location for viewing rarely seen animals in their natural habitat. The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. 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. Bear Lakes, although a short detour, look absolutely gorgeous. 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. And, for now anyways, theyre all permit-free. It is the best kind of trailless terrain, for you are above treelike, can locate topographic features, and get a sense of solitude in country you are probably visiting for solitude. Island Lake is beautiful! You must round Valentine Lake's north shore and descend to 10,000 feet and the Little Wind River's South Fork which may require a wade. Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet over 13 miles 9,100 ft to 11,500 ft). I highly recommend checking trail conditions before committing to a trail. You'll want to bring your friends and family to experience the sheer quantity (and quality) of scenic, unbeatable camping across Sublette County. [2][9], Wyoming Highway 28 traverses the modern pass, roughly following the route of the Oregon Trail. These are handy for seeing the entire range, possible alternate . Hike along the eastern ramps and shore of this lake (it is reported that the going is toughest at the beginning southeast end). Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead For speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake is a popular camping spot just under 6 miles from the Big Sandy trailhead. This article on Wind River Range backpacking is brought to you by Gregory, whose lightweight backpack line is made from durable, rip-stop materials on an ultra-lightweight, durable aluminum frame. Along this section stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide peak in a with... Started out from Twin lakes and bushwacked our hikers typically bring along fishing to! 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