Given the easy elevation gain and well maintained trail, this is a great choice for families. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. 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). From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. It is apparent on topo maps, and there is a stream that follows it and drops to the creek. Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet over 8.5 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). Partway up, a short trail branches left to Bear Lakes. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. 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. You can do this by contacting the National Forest Service or looking at online reviews on sites such as AllTrails or Hiking Project. There's a possible high camp (pictured) on the Lizard Head Plateau overlooking the Cirque. Go south up the glacier to the top of Indian Pass. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. Ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail? 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. 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 Bruce's Bridge at the end of Sinks Canyon, and takes us all the way to Wind River Peak. And they weigh 600 to 1,300 pounds, so if they hit you, it'd be like . Pick up all dog waste as well as any human trash. The route follows closely to the Continental Divide through the Wind River Range and is largely off-trail; of the approximate 100 miles, 65+ miles are off-trail, depending on your measuring device. Above treeline no trail has been worn, but you can follow cairns across the windswept plateau. Jedediah Smith's party, part of Ashley's Hundred, made the first crossing traveling east to west in Feb. 1824. 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. Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Big Sandy - High use 11. I feel that this is all the description needed to arrive safely, without spoiling the adventure too much. In addition to the 43,000-acres of lakes and reservoirs, and 2,000 miles of streams and rivers, including the 185-mile Wind River, there is an abundance of fish and a lack of people. EXTREME WX CATEGORIES CITIES & VALUES: Temperature Dewpoint Heat Index Wind Wind Chill Pressure Pressure Change Weve caught a lot of brook trout here, nothing big, but the catching is pretty good in our experience. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. A river, that appears to drop into an unseen . You can learn more about our editorial policies here. Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my phone would be appreciated! https://youtu.be/aeQ61IH9fv4A six day solo backpacking loop in Wyoming's Wind River Range starting at Boulder Canyon trail head. Last year on our Jerrys and my anniversary, we took the boys on a hiking and fishing trip to Silas. Justin Glass at a small tarn in the upper valley of Middle Fork Lake on the Wind River High Route, Wyoming. An extra day can be taken to climb Wind River Peak, the southernmost 13er in the range; definitely a worthy summit, with amazing views from what I've heard. We started hiking at 3:30am, and hiked 16 miles to the top of Wind River Peak, the tallest peak in the southern Wind River Range, only to turn around and return. Though it approaches a mile and a half high, South Pass is the lowest point on the Continental Divide between the Central and Southern Rocky Mountains. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. 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). Clarkston, WA. You can find directions easily from guidebooks. Then to Fire Hole Lakes, to. This popular trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. The impact to your legs make this feel like 6 miles instead of 3, but the views more than make up for the effort. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. From Little Sandy Creek, You then continue to Temple Pass. However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. . See more of his great photography at Best.ChuckSutherland.Com, Press J to jump to the feed. Vast views of the Wind River Ranges glaciers and towering peaks proudly give this lookout its name, where photographers come from all over the world to capture Wyomings iconic steep and jagged peaks. roanoke virginia blue ridge mountains peaks of otter 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. From here the trail ascends 400 feet and then drops down into Dickenson Park. It is a beautiful lake! The approach to Deep Lake is short and the elevation gain is minimal, attributes a rock climber considers virtues. The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. Free Trail Guides. Slide Lake Trail is a wonderful, well-maintained trail thats the perfect addition to any adventure itinerary. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . Hosting 100+ miles of the Continental Divide Trail and astounding mountain scenery, Wyomings Wind River Range offers more to explore beyond the Tetons, Medicine Bows, and Yellowstone National Park. The trail cuts away from Seneca Lake and drops way, way down. 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. 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. It traverses northwest while staying high on the mountaintops. If you only have time for a single day hike through the Wind River Range, follow the Pole Creek Trail to Photographers Point. . The range spans over 100 miles running roughly from Jackson, WY at its northwest edge, to Atlantic City, WY at its south eastern terminus. Additional Read: The 11 Best Airbnbs Near Grand Teton National Park. 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. From the Pole Creek Trail, you will see a trail that diverts and is labeled as Photographers Point. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office, improvements Given its location and proximity to the Big Sandy Campground, day traffic here can be heavy; however, once you arrive at the lake, campsites abound in and around the lake area, and theres usually a place to find some solitude. 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. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. Traditionally Indigenous Territory Apsaalook (Crow) Eastern Shoshone Cheyenne More Stats for Smith Lake hike trail trail Altitude change 607 ft Altitude min 9,292 ft Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. A Shoshone had told Stuart of "a shorter trace to the South than that by which Mr. Hunt had traversed the R. Mountains"[4][5] In 1856 Ramsay Crooks, one of the party, wrote a letter describing their journey: In 1811, the overland party of Mr. Astor's expedition, under the command of Mr. Wilson P. Hunt, of Trenton, New Jersey, although numbering sixty well armed men, found the Indians so very troublesome in the country of the Yellowstone River, that the party of seven persons who left Astoria toward the end of June, 1812, considering it dangerous to pass again by the route of 1811, turned toward the southeast as soon as they had crossed the main chain of the Rocky Mountains, and, after several days' journey, came through the celebrated 'South Pass' in the month of November, 1812. According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! Nothing against Iowa, but I consider this one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me. The Sweetwater River flows past the east side of the pass, and Pacific Creek rises on the west side. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Directions from Pinedale: From the intersection of Pine Street (US 191) and . 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. The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. Neither of the trailheads that I've used to get into the Winds have fishable lakes within a reasonable distance for a day hike, except maybe for someone in really good shape that would consider a poor trail and 5-8 miles each way a day hike. Half Moon Lake - Low use 7. Little Sandy - Low use 12. . While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. (This turn is 5 miles south/east of where US-191 leaves US-189). We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. Mosquitoes are treacherous here in the Winds during the warmer months. (1), Comments Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead 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. 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. From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. You end up where Palister calls "Shangri-La." This we know. This article was brought to you by Gregory. Hike through forest and up the rolling trail for about another mile before arriving at Upper Silas Lake. Cabin Rentals Areas. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! Wind River Mountains Topographic Map - Northern Half by Beartooth Mapping. ), But I digress. Moose, apparently, can run 35 miles an hour for up to 400 meters, which is way faster than any human has ever run 400 meters. Denver's central location makes it easy to get the most out of the Rocky Mountain West. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. 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.] Considering taking a trip with your trail pup? Wyoming Highway 28 crosses the Continental Divide 2.5 miles (4.0km) to the northwest at elevation 7,550 feet (2,300m), and its crossing is also named South Pass. The first mile is a nice forested trail with some small ups and downs before reaching a trail junction, where you can head left toward Christina Lake, or head right toward Upper Silas, Island and Thumb lakes. In his 1843 expedition, Fremont was able to determine the elevation of the pass at 7,490 feet above sea level. If you're looking for day-hikes out of GRL, try Slide or even Valaite . Mileage: 17 miles RT 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. I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. "[5]:112124, Stephen W. Kearny led the first military expedition to South Pass in 1845. 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. Only the off-trail option is doable as a day hike (shown on a map in Pallister's book). For the last five years the mythical Wind Rivers have eluded my presence. This is one big lake but it seemed like a challenging place to find a campsite due to the steep, rocky shoreline. by Joan Pendleton. Additional Read: 12 Best Airbnbs in Wyoming for a Taste of the American West. Shelli Johnson, owner of Epic Life, is an entrepreneur, life and leadership coach, leadership development facilitator, keynote presenter, writer, adventurer and guide. These are handy for seeing the entire range, possible alternate . Climber Orrin Bonney gave the area its current name in 1941 after his survey of the cirque. After approximately 2 miles, branch off to the right and ascend for 1 mile to Baptiste Lake. The roads are entirely gravely / dirt after this, but are fairly well-maintained and should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles. The Wind River Range has endless opportunities for backcountry camping each more beautiful and peaceful than the last. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of alpine lakes to go around this beautiful mountain range, creating world-renowned fly fishing. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. Temple Peak, the second-highest peak in the southern Wind River Range, is a class 3 scramble from the South Ridge route. 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. The archery range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and is free-of-charge. Its in the name! . Follow it's north shore west to the unnamed pass between Native Lake and Faller Lake (maps show a trail from Native to Faler Lake, but reportedly it is unmaintained and almost non-existent. ISLAND LAKE: Its about 5 miles to Island Lake from the trailhead, 10 miles roundtrip. All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. Lonesome Lake was the first lake in the Wind Rivers to be deemed unsafe for drinking, and camping is strictly prohibited within 1/4 mile of the lake. For speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake is a popular camping spot just under 6 miles from the Big Sandy trailhead. This section was inspired by Matt Lemke's trip report "Gone with the Winds." From chill beachside strolls to craggy peakbagging epics, this list has got you covered. The Big Sandy Trailhead is the gateway to several popular backpacking trails, so you will pass more hikers here than in other areas. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. On Lizard Head Plateau. Upper Silas Lake is set beautifully amidst pine forest and a granite mountain. There is fantastic alpine camping near (and north of) Deep Lake, and great sheltered, treeline camp spots just off the trail at Clear Lake. (1), Southwest Arete Lost Temple Spire, IV, 5.10b. Trip Type: Out-and-back 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. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . You'll pass no fewer than 100 large lakes (and innumerable small tarns), pass or traverse dozens of notable peaks, and see the largest glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. Backpackers should also check snowpack levels in order to determine the best time to hit the trail without encountering too much snow. Explore the numerous lakes in the area. We caught our first on a day hike last summer. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Island Lake is beautiful! Glaciers have left their mark in the form of U-shaped valleys, serrated peaks and ridges, and alpine cirques. 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. 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. 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. This is rated as class 2-3 by Pallister. Burnt Lake - Low use 8. From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. The district maintains 300 miles of system trails, 25 . Explore the World. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. 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. Almost to the top of the tall mountain, Jerry remarked he wished I would have asked for expensive jewelry instead. Hidden Lake can be reached by bushwacking 2 miles from Ross Lake. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). The pass is a broad open saddle with prairie and sagebrush, allowing a broad and nearly level route between the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds. The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyomings tallest mountain Gannett Peak. 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. Upper Silas Lake offers great fishing. To reach Peak Lake, continue west down the valley after Knapsack Col. Due to the nature of the WRRT, this trip is best savored by taking your time. All the information is there; there are no gray areas. Island Lake is so named because theres an small island with trees on it in the middle. _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. Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. You then depart from the trail due northeast, following Blair Creek to the pond at 9590. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. [5]:114,128. 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. _The Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes are accessed by an 8-mile round trip dayhike from Tayo Park. 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