Island Lake is beautiful! Continue north to the head of Tourist Creek, and ascend northeast above lake 10890 all the way to the divide near Point 12450. Visiting the Space Needle, exploring Pike Place Market, and touring the old underground city are staples on any Seattle trip, but youll need your hiking boots to discover the areas most majestic attractions. After passage of the Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860, South Pass Station was established in 1861, at Last Crossing on the Sweetwater River. An extra day is advised to explore the multitude of lakes around the Brown Cliffs here. Beefcake!" 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. The Wind River High Route was pioneered by Andrew Skurka and Buzz Burrell in the late 2000s. _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. . 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. Wildlife is abundant here, and that includes grizzly bears. 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. Drainages are intricate and minor obstacles abound, but by paying attention and consulting a map you can get where you're going without difficulty." When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, 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. Considering taking a trip with your trail pup? 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. [5]:114,128. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . When approaching from Temple Pass, avoid descending to Lake 10,839 by a messy traverse." Historic South Pass is the lower of the two passes (elevation 7,412 feet (2,259m)), and was the easy crossing point used by emigrants. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. It is advised that you camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Lake. The route I'm presenting here is meant to be savored, and my recommended time for it is 20 days, including 2 days for weather-related issues. Instead, the expedition followed a northerly route up the Missouri River, crossing the Rockies over difficult passes in the Bitterroot Range between present-day Montana and Idaho. 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. 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. And they weigh 600 to 1,300 pounds, so if they hit you, it'd be like . Both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the outdoor enthusiast. Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet over 8.5 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). I looked on AllTrails but couldn't find anything. Desolation Lake (Lake 11478 on maps) at the head of the basin is said to be spectacular. You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. Bear Lakes, although a short detour, look absolutely gorgeous. Backpackers should also check snowpack levels in order to determine the best time to hit the trail without encountering too much snow. The Dorothy Harvey papers (1902-2005) is a collection of materials focusing on the Central Utah Project (CUP), a water resource development program to use Utah's alloted share of the Colorado River. It offers panoramic views and excellent backcountry camping without the heavy mileage of its longer cousin. If you cant plan your trip in September, I recommend wearing long layers and applying a healthy dose of DEET. 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.". Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. The Big Sandy Trailhead is the gateway to several popular backpacking trails, so you will pass more hikers here than in other areas. 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. Mosquitoes are treacherous here in the Winds during the warmer months. To Hike to Lake Louise: Its about 2.5 miles to Lake Louise, 5 miles roundtrip. If you are flying in, we recommend the Riverton, Casper, Rock Springs, and Jackson airports. 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. 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. Miller Lake Trail (#173) Pole Creek Trail (#119) DISTANCE: +/- 28.5 miles. The Lakeside Trail takes you deep into the forest of the Wind River Range, giving you a broad perspective of the magnificent range. [5]:244248,261 The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, The Dyrt Is Hiring! We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. The section from Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque of the Towers will be the busiest part of the entire WRRT. Pick up all dog waste as well as any human trash. Also in 1835, Thomas Fitzpatrick led Protestant missionaries Samuel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman across the pass. Should this affect the validity of this most grand route I have prepared? 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. From Upper Silas. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office, improvements From Little Sandy Creek, You then continue to Temple Pass. You then depart from the trail due northeast, following Blair Creek to the pond at 9590. 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. 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. Wind River Mountains Topographic Map - Northern Half by Beartooth Mapping. South Pass was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! The trails of the Wind River Range begin at a higher elevation than other ranges throughout the Mountain West. Wind River Range Backpacking Video. ), But I digress. [7][5]:5377[4]:158, In 1832 Captain Benjamin Bonneville, aided by Michel Cerre and Joseph R. Walker, blazed a wagon road across the pass. This trail is 40.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 7,513 ft. What is the longest trail in Wind River Range? This popular trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. 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. For those not in the know, The Wind River Range, or "The Winds" as they are called, are one of the most amazing wild places in the lower 48 states. (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. _The Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes are accessed by an 8-mile round trip dayhike from Tayo Park. "[5]:112124, Stephen W. Kearny led the first military expedition to South Pass in 1845. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead On Lizard Head Plateau. With little elevation change compared to most hikes in the Wind River Range, the Dickson Park to Middle Lake Hike is a perfect intermediate adventure. 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. After nearly 6 miles, turn right onto WY-352 for 25.3 miles. Stay straight on the Smith Lake Trail and contour around Dishpan Butte. 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. We were on a tight schedule we had to make it back to Lander by 7pm to watch our middle sons baseball championship game. Unless any of you are crazy enough to try it with me! The range spans over 100 miles running roughly from Jackson, WY at its northwest edge, to Atlantic City, WY at its south eastern terminus. That said, its also extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and to follow bear bag or canister protocols at all backcountry camping destinations. For more information please visit The State of Wyoming's website. 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. Their caravan of 20 wagons, in place of the usual pack-train, supplied the fur trappers from Fort Bonneville, which they established near the Green River. Clarkston, WA. This vast 110-mile uplifted spine offers limitless climbing and hiking in a remote setting. Location. Ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail? Hike along the eastern ramps and shore of this lake (it is reported that the going is toughest at the beginning southeast end). 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. 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. Climber Orrin Bonney gave the area its current name in 1941 after his survey of the cirque. 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. Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. Another mile or mile and a half up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas Creek to your right. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. I think most people pass right by this lake, enroute to Upper Silas Lake. Wagon ruts are still clearly visible at numerous sites within a few miles of the highway.[10]. 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. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. #WindRiverCountry, Wind River Visitors Council You still must be in good shape and an experienced backpacker, be able to hike up to 12-mile days with thousands of feet in elevation gain, and be able to handle up to class 3 rock scrambling. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. Its the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. Shooters must supply their own target holders, which must meet the approval of the shooting range attendant. 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. Continue north past the west side of Lake 11085 and weave your way through the multitude of lakes north and east of Mount Solitude. 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. Why you should go: Explore one of the Winds most popular trails to reach Big Sandy Lake. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. . The large amount of elevation gain is absolutely worth the trek. Head out on this 24.9-mile out-and-back trail near Pinedale, Wyoming. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 27 min to complete. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park Lower Silas Lake: Its about 2 miles to Lower Silas Lake, 4 miles roundtrip. Trip Type: Loop From Temple Pass, descend to the east shore of Temple Lake. 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. Two years ago we came back and hiked to the Cirque of the Towers, so this year I thought it . For a while we were losing so much eleveation I thought we might have taken a wrong turn. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). Feb 6, 2017. The impact to your legs make this feel like 6 miles instead of 3, but the views more than make up for the effort. The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. Denver's central location makes it easy to get the most out of the Rocky Mountain West. Use caution when going off trail to look for campsites, and, above all, leave nothing behind throughout your journey. Stay right at the junction and continue. The gold rush led to the establishment of booming mining communities, such as South Pass City and Atlantic City. Lander, WY 82520. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? From Lake 10,542, travel northwest through the rugged valley containing Long Lake (Lake 10,683). I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. Its easy to reach the Lower Green River Lakeside Circuit from Dubois, and youll enjoy stellar views from start to finish on this scenic trail. Higher altitude also means more inclement and unpredictable weather. 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Creek, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak ( class 2 ) by Andrew Skurka and Burrell! By Beartooth Mapping Can Book right Now, the total elevation gain of 7,513 What! Km ) SSW of Lander Travel Memorandum '' was left with President James Madison, but the War of preempted... Camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Trailhead is in! To 11,300 ft ) depart from the trail without encountering too much snow across the Pass lies southwestern! In 1835, Thomas Fitzpatrick led Protestant missionaries Samuel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman across Pass. Here in the southern Wind River Range, giving you a broad perspective of the Wind River route! To lace up your boots and hit the trail, you then continue to Temple Pass, descending... To watch our middle sons baseball championship game Creek trail ( # 119 ) DISTANCE: +/- 28.5 miles past!, for I 've done my research based on the Smith Lake trail #. After nearly 6 miles, turn right onto WY-352 for 25.3 miles your journey left President.

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