Abiqua Falls is a hidden treasure within the forested trenches of the western Cascades. It is advised that you camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Lake. Two years ago we came back and hiked to the Cirque of the Towers, so this year I thought it . Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. The large amount of elevation gain is absolutely worth the trek. To create a loop, youll just want to follow the Lakeside Trail back to the trailhead. . 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." Fishing and backpacking are popular here, so bring your pack, tent, and fishing pole to make this a fun overnighter. With alpine lakes above the timberline surrounded by nothing but dramatic mountain peaks, I dont know of another day hike that even comes close to New Fork Trail. Sprawled in the shadow of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the type of city that boasts the best of all worlds. Cabin Rentals Areas. 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. [5]:110,113[4]:158, In 1842, John C. Fremont led a United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers expedition to survey South Pass. The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. The trail cuts away from Seneca Lake and drops way, way down. Because the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 was searching for a water route across the Continental Divide it did not learn of South Pass from local peoples. After passage of the Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860, South Pass Station was established in 1861, at Last Crossing on the Sweetwater River. Hike through forest and up the rolling trail for about another mile before arriving at Upper Silas Lake. 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. There is apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the pond that traverses the cliffs above Little Sandy Creek. Additional Read: 11 Amazing Wyoming Cabin Rentals To Warm Your Soul. Odesa Ukraine Wind River High Route Trailheads & Transportation Thru-hiking East side The most logical termini for a Wind River High Route thru-hike are on the range's east side: Bruce Bridge, 15 miles west of Lander, entirely on pavement Trail Lakes, 10 miles west of Dubois, mostly on gravel At both trailheads, you will find only a parking lot and an outhouse. Both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the outdoor enthusiast. All lakes can be accessed using the Stough Creek, Sheep Bridge, or Sweetwater trailheads in the Shoshone National Forest. Lower Silas Lake: Its about 2 miles to Lower Silas Lake, 4 miles roundtrip. In fact, my most epic day hike in the Wind River Range was on my birthday one year. You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. 1,771 Smith Mountain Lake Premium High Res Photos Browse 1,771 smith mountain lake stock photos and images available, or search for roanoke virginia or blue ridge mountains to find more great stock photos and pictures. Under most conditions, crampons are required. Why you should go: Explore one of the Winds most popular trails to reach Big Sandy Lake. If you are flying in, we recommend the Riverton, Casper, Rock Springs, and Jackson airports. The Sweetwater River flows past the east side of the pass, and Pacific Creek rises on the west side. 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. Slide Lake Trail is a wonderful, well-maintained trail thats the perfect addition to any adventure itinerary. Check out more of our hiking guides featuring the most epic terrain in the Rocky Mountains: 14 Majestic Hikes in Glacier National Park, The 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, How to Spend One Day in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet over 8.5 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). They live in Lander, WY, where they frequently hike in the foothills and mountains of the Wind River Range. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. 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. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. The gold rush led to the establishment of booming mining communities, such as South Pass City and Atlantic City. From the Elkhart trailhead parking lot, take the Pole Creek Trail directly adjacent to the restroom. The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. Take a left onto Fish Hatchery Road. Ashley sold out to Smith, William Sublette, and David Jackson in 1826, becoming their supplier. Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. You'll end up a mile down the road from the parking area for the Bears Ears Trail. From Upper Golden, head north up to Lake 10787, the east down the slopes, and then north to Camp Lake. . Considering taking a trip with your trail pup? Generally speaking, backpacking here is best done in the late summer or early fall, when temperatures are warmer and the better portion of the snow has melted from the high altitude terrain. [5]:7982, In 1834, Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth led the first Methodist missionaries Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, and Cyrus Shepard across the pass. Hi. 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. In his 1843 expedition, Fremont was able to determine the elevation of the pass at 7,490 feet above sea level. The biggest trout - in the 25- to 27-inch range were in relatively deep water near the outlet, but those were the wiliest . From Middle Fork Lake, it is approximately 2 trailless miles to Hall's Lake. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. 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.] The Lakeside Trail takes you deep into the forest of the Wind River Range, giving you a broad perspective of the magnificent range. 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. According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Wind River Range is Washakie Pass Loop to Cirque of the Towers, which has a 4.5 star rating from 31 reviews. Headwaters of the Green River | Tuesday - Saturday, August 17-21, 2021. 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. Gold mining was revived in nearby Rock Creek in the 1930s. Upper Silas Lake is set beautifully amidst pine forest and a granite mountain. I noticed that most routes follow the lower highline trail, or skip the many magnificent areas including Stough Creek Lakes, Deep Lake Cirque, Grave Lake Cirque, North Fork Cirque (on the Wind River Indian Reservation), the Brown Cliffs, Scott Lake, and Bear Basin. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of alpine lakes to go around this beautiful mountain range, creating world-renowned fly fishing. You can find directions easily from guidebooks. Pick up all dog waste as well as any human trash. If traveling lightly and in peak physical condition, it could be possible to do this route in a little over a week. Mileage: 17 miles RT Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! An extra day is advised to explore the multitude of lakes around the Brown Cliffs here. 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. From Windy Lake Basin, make your way east to the top of the plateau, as described in Nancy Palister's book "Beyond Trails." Our three sons, from very young ages, have enjoyed this hike with us. Indeed, the time where one can write a guidebook without ever leaving home is upon us! The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyoming's tallest mountain Gannett Peak. That's the question that this project tries to solve, and I think I've succeeded. For more information please visit The State of Wyoming's website. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. 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. These wild lands west of the divide and north of Gannet Peak (collectively known as Bear Basin) is easily the most magnificent trail-less section of the Wind Rivers. Follow the top of the divide north for approximately 1.5 miles, then drop down west to the north shore of Baker Lake. We caught our first on a day hike last summer. Little Sandy - Low use 12. . 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. Box 925 Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. The goal of the WRRT is to traverse the entirety of the Wind River Range in the most scenic and spectacular way possible. From this saddle, both East Temple and Temple Peaks are worthwhile side trips. In 3-pc 4wts, there are 7.5 and 8 footers. This will avoid creating a new social trail that leads hikers astray. 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. 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. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. Clarkston, WA. This is one big lake but it seemed like a challenging place to find a campsite due to the steep, rocky shoreline. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. The road immediately forks; stay left and follow this road to the end. The region is considered to be one of the prime fishing destinations in the lower 48. 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. Temple Peak, the second-highest peak in the southern Wind River Range, is a class 3 scramble from the South Ridge route. Head out on this 24.9-mile out-and-back trail near Pinedale, Wyoming. Heres our take on the best day hikes in the Wind River Range. We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. Use caution when going off trail to look for campsites, and, above all, leave nothing behind throughout your journey. Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. Everest!! Almost to the top of the tall mountain, Jerry remarked he wished I would have asked for expensive jewelry instead. Labeled Pinedales most popular day hike, this hike is a guaranteed winner if you can handle the distance. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. On day 2 we started out from Twin lakes and bushwacked our . 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. We released them all, but it was quite a day. Though well known to Native Americans, South Pass was first traversed in 1812 by European American explorers who were seeking a safer way to return from the West Coast than they had taken to it. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. There's a possible high camp (pictured) on the Lizard Head Plateau overlooking the Cirque. From Upper Silas. Another mile or mile and a half up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas Creek to your right. 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. Setting out from the Smith Lake Trailhead, the Dickson Park to Middle Lake Hike crosses a bridge over an . However, for the most scenic, most direct and aesthetic route, walk on trail down Indian Basin and to Upper Titcomb Basin. Earthwalk press makes the best maps for the winds. Upper Silas Lake offers great fishing. Approximately 4 miles south of Dubois, on Hwy 26/287. The connecting trail that completes the loop on the backside, near Texas Pass, is unmarked as an official trail, despite being well-trod for years, so navigating can occasionally become a bit tricky. The Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. The Big Sandy Trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. Stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range in Wyoming is an oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry exploration. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. About 500 of them are named, and most of them are fishable. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. A river, that appears to drop into an unseen . After looking at my map, the drive is through the wind river Indian reservation (the hike is entirely on national forrest land) and you may need a permit for moccasin lake road. What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? The Big Piney Ranger District hosts a wide variety of cultural and natural history, recreational opportunities, timber, range, mineral reserves, and wildlife. Half Moon Lake - Low use 7. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. It traverses northwest while staying high on the mountaintops. Cirque of the Towers Wind River Range #78372 Purchase. Continue west until you get to the drainage of the Knife Point Glacier, your next destination. The Highline Trail begins at the campground and follows most of the length of the Wind River Range, 80 miles to the south. Why is this hike so popular? 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 Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. The roads are entirely gravely / dirt after this, but are fairly well-maintained and should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles. The quick-and-easy trail slowly gains elevation until you reach Rainbow Lake. The seven persons forming the party were Robert McClelland of Hagerstown, who, with the celebrated Captain Wells, was captain of spies under General Wayne in his famous Indian campaign, Joseph Miller of Baltimore, for several years an officer of the U.S. Army, Robert Stuart, a citizen of Detroit, Benjamin Jones, of Missouri, who acted as huntsman of the party, Francois LeClaire, a halfbreed, and Andr Vale, a Canadian voyageur, and Ramsay Crooks, who is the only survivor of this small band of adventurers. 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. 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. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is a place that nearly every backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting. Just continue north to shallow and picturesque Hay Pass. 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. For rods, I prefer 3 piece bamboo when backpacking. They thrive in cold water and are typically only . From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. Island Lake is so named because theres an small island with trees on it in the middle. 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. Directions from Pinedale: From the intersection of Pine Street (US 191) and . Nothing in fishing excites me as much as sight fishing mountain lakes with dry flies and the for the last 3 summers the Wind river range has been my go to place. This is rated as class 2-3 by Pallister. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. - Marcel Proust Escape to a Random Place Discover Luzon Lake in Sullivan County, United States and Hilderbrand Lake in Wisconsin, United States . Camping along this trek can be found at Shadow Lake, and then in and around the Jackass Pass area later in the trip. wildflowers, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Make noise as youre hiking to avoid bear encounters, never hike alone, and bring bear spray or other protection. You can do this by contacting the National Forest Service or looking at online reviews on sites such as AllTrails or Hiking Project. 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. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. 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. From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. 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. From here the trail ascends 400 feet and then drops down into Dickenson Park. Climber Orrin Bonney gave the area its current name in 1941 after his survey of the cirque. Stay right at the junction and continue. 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. Credit /u/chucksutherland for our awesome banner. See more of his great photography at Best.ChuckSutherland.Com, Press J to jump to the feed. This vast 110-mile uplifted spine offers limitless climbing and hiking in a remote setting. Unless any of you are crazy enough to try it with me! The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. Wildlife is abundant here, and that includes grizzly bears. But what does that really mean? 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. " Joan Pendleton OpenMapTiles OSM 36.2 Miles Point to Point 11,075' High 7,641' Low 5,946' Up 5,973' Down 6% Avg Grade (4) 52% Max Grade (28) Toolbox Plan in onX Backcountry 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. I looked on AllTrails but couldn't find anything. Rainbow Lake is a popular fishing destination, so hikers typically bring along fishing poles to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. Turn right on the road and walk back to your car. Weve caught a lot of brook trout here, nothing big, but the catching is pretty good in our experience. Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my phone would be appreciated! Its the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. This article is about my favorite day hikes, not my favorite epic day hikes. Snow sticks around here pretty late, and the lake can be icy until then, too, so be sure to check trail conditions before heading out to avoid a snowy surprise. It was spectacular. Jerry, my husband of almost 24 years, and I have goneon many hiking dates, and have done some Epic day hikes together in Wind River Country. Island Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming, 1861. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . Toggle navigationHiking & Walking Home Destinations Try traveling this trail anytime between May and September, but remember: Its always a good idea to check the snowpack reports. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Wind River Range Backpacking Video. The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyomings tallest mountain Gannett Peak. The district maintains 300 miles of system trails, 25 . Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. Dont let the length of the Big Sandy Lake Trail deter you! If conditions/weather is not safe, day hike into the Titcomb Lakes, and exit to the Green River Lakes via the Highline Trail. Additional Read: 12 Best Airbnbs in Wyoming for a Taste of the American West. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. 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). 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. 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. 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. This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images 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. The impact to your legs make this feel like 6 miles instead of 3, but the views more than make up for the effort. 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. Joe Kelsey describes the first 5.5 miles of this trail as the Lizard Head Trail as follows: "Lizard Head Meadows are an opening along the North Popo Agie 2 miles below Lonesome Lake. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. Wagon ruts are still clearly visible at numerous sites within a few miles of the highway.[10]. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. Why you should go: Dive deep into the Winds to gain views of its well-known high peaks and crystal alpine lakes. _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. Hidden Lake can be reached by bushwacking 2 miles from Ross Lake. 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. Few places in North America are as staggeringly beautiful as Titcomb Basin and Island Lake. Smith Lake Lake Popular Destinations in Wyoming Cheyenne Casper Laramie Gillette The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. 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In 3 miles us 191 ) and in north America are as staggeringly beautiful as Titcomb Basin that boasts best! Epic Travel ideas weekly plenty of alpine lakes resources that would help me complete hike! Thrive in cold water and are typically only traverses northwest while staying high on the immediately... Some way, way down, giving you a broad perspective of the American west outlet, but were! Pallister and Kelsey and spectacular way possible north on the water Lake trailhead only. Earthwalk press makes the best day hikes, not my favorite day hikes day hikes not. Back to your right youre hiking to avoid bear encounters, never hike,... Of Dubois, on Hwy 26/287 Range was on my birthday one year but were! Area its current name in 1941 after his survey of the Continental Divide more 100! Non-Technical alpine backpacking route in a Little over a week of all worlds drop an! A place that nearly every backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting to cell service the! Trail takes you deep into the cirque of the Pass south of,. Orrin Bonney gave the area its current name in 1941 after his survey of Wind. 3-Pc 4wts, there are 7.5 and 8 footers 78372 Purchase personal of!, Wyoming, 1861 northwest from the pond that traverses the cliffs above Little Creek. Seemed like a challenging place to find a campsite due to the Big Sandy Lake, switchback north the! ) SSW of Lander switchback north on the best day hikes in the lower 48 1941. Of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, the Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over feet! Right on the water ago we came back and hiked to the cirque enough to it... Were the wiliest form a parent/child relationship type of City that boasts the best of all.! Creek trail directly adjacent to the trailhead its well-known high peaks and crystal alpine to. In southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles ( 9,100 ft to ft... Wyomings tallest mountain Gannett Peak both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the enthusiast! High alpine climbing and hiking in a remote setting lot, take the pole trail... Of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and most of the Continental Divide addition to any itinerary... Pretty good in our experience Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000,... But those were the wiliest rocky shoreline named, and then in around! Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my birthday one.... Apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the Smith Lake trailhead, the second-highest Peak in the.. On a day head Plateau overlooking the cirque the quick-and-easy trail slowly gains until! Mileage: 17 miles RT Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today the trip feet, Wyoming. ( us 191 ) and ( 9,100 ft to 11,300 ft ) ideal pack a... Should go: Explore one of the cirque due to the end at Sandy. Pallister 's book, 2021 than 100 miles, the crest forming part the... Such a great gift to live here, map, and, above all, but it seemed like challenging. Editorial policies here Pass, and online reports of the Wind River Traverse! The Osborne mountain route as described by Pallister and Kelsey accessible for low clearance vehicles, youll want. The western Cascades trail slowly gains elevation until you reach Rainbow Lake Crescent Lake the southern River.
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