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. 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. wildflowers, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. THUMB LAKE: Its about 6 miles to Thumb lake from the trailhead, 12 miles roundtrip. Your jaw WILL drop (if it didn't already) when you reach the crest of Jackass Pass and overlook Lonesome Lake and the Cirque. Wind River Range Backpacking Video. 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. 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. Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. Toggle navigationHiking & Walking Home Destinations If so, I believe only slightly, for I've done my research based on the authorities on the Wind Rivers. Higher altitude also means more inclement and unpredictable weather. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Grand River and Spring Valley . From Upper Golden, head north up to Lake 10787, the east down the slopes, and then north to Camp Lake. Mileage: 17 miles RT It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. This article was brought to you by Gregory. (1), Comments I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. If you are flying in, we recommend the Riverton, Casper, Rock Springs, and Jackson airports. Heres our take on the best day hikes in the Wind River Range. From Windy Lake Basin, make your way east to the top of the plateau, as described in Nancy Palister's book "Beyond Trails." "[5]:112124, Stephen W. Kearny led the first military expedition to South Pass in 1845. She has had the privilege of working for Colorados most experienced climbing guide service as an Office & Marketing Manager and an Outdoor Climbing Guide. All Tours Tour Sale. And fishing. lewis smith lake lewis smith lake alabama smith lake alabama Partway up, a short trail branches left to Bear 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. East Temple Peak is a class 2 stroll directly northeast from Temple Pass. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 27 min to complete. This popular trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. Free Trail Guides. Directions from Pinedale: From the intersection of Pine Street (US 191) and . Mileage: 23-24 miles RT 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. I looked on AllTrails but couldn't find anything. Slide Creek Falls is a unique waterfall thats not very known unless you look at a topo map. From this lake, continue southwest past Lake Kagevah to 11,290 foot Kagevah Pass. 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 gold rush led to the establishment of booming mining communities, such as South Pass City and Atlantic City. 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. Little Sandy - Low use 12. . It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. To first of the Stough Creek Basin lakes: 6.5 miles/13 miles round-trip. 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 . I'm guessing it's called that for a good reason. In the mid-1990s, Lander nurse and outdoorsman Bruce Cartwright introduced my family to the fine high-lake fishing on the Wind River Indian Reservation, which accounts for about a quarter of the land in the Winds. It was spectacular. This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images 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. Check out our in-depth review of Black Tree Resort, a luxury glamping experience that makes camping comfortable and enjoyable for the entire family. 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. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Plus, the camping at Seneca Lake is some of the best camping in the Wind River Range, not to mention its world-class alpine fly fishing, too. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. 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. Clear Lake is a great spot to watch sunrise and sunset, particularly if the winds are calm. 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. We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. AREA MAPS: Beartooth Publishing North Wind River Range. Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my phone would be appreciated! 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. The quick-and-easy trail slowly gains elevation until you reach Rainbow Lake. South Pass was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. [5]:7982, In 1834, Nathaniel Jarvis Wyeth led the first Methodist missionaries Jason Lee, Daniel Lee, and Cyrus Shepard across the pass. Looks like a cool hike though! 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. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. In fact, 19 of Wyoming's 20 highest peaks are in the Wind River Range and there are more than 40-named peaks rising above 13,000 feet. According to Pallister, the safest way down is on the Glacier, instead of traversing the surrounding cliffs. The road immediately forks; stay left and follow this road to the end. From the main trail, you might not see Lower Silas Lake, unless youre looking for it. Abiqua Falls is a hidden treasure within the forested trenches of the western Cascades. The Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. I have just connected bits and pieces of their suggested routes into an alpine traverse of the entire range. Justin Glass at a small tarn in the upper valley of Middle Fork Lake on the Wind River High Route, Wyoming. Explore the numerous lakes in the area. . Drainages are intricate and minor obstacles abound, but by paying attention and consulting a map you can get where you're going without difficulty." My only experience is in the WRIR roadless area, though. I'm sure someone over here is familiar with Wind River Range hikes and could point me in the right direction. We started at the St Lawerence ranger station and made our way to Twin Lakes for the first night. The Wind River Range is home to thousands of lakes and ponds, with an appealing mix of golden, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Why, you ask? 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.". Trip Type: Loop Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). 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. Both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the outdoor enthusiast. Why you should go: Discover a hidden treasure while enjoying sweeping views along the Slide Lake Trail. Approaching a construction zone 20 minutes outside Pinedale, Wyoming a flagger stands between us, rotating his sign to "stop." 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. The Wind River Range is located in western Wyoming, just south of the Tetons and Jackson Hole. Earthwalk Press publishes two Wind River Range overview maps (one for the northern part of the range, and another for the southern portion). The area between the lakes is blessed with many fine . The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. Best reached from Pinedale, this trail goes by a few names. In 1884, Emile Granier, a French mining engineer, established a hydraulic mining operation that allowed gold mining to continue. 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. Book a Tour. The majority of the Wind River Ranges hikes and primary backpacking trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or above, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for unprepared visitors. _The Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes are accessed by an 8-mile round trip dayhike from Tayo Park. But what does that really mean? This is one big lake but it seemed like a challenging place to find a campsite due to the steep, rocky shoreline. 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. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. It would be 8.5 miles one-way to Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes from Lake 10322 near Hay Pass, and to get back to the WRRT, you would travel over Timico Pass (north of Timico Lake) instead of backtracking to Hay Pass. These walls certainly contain some of the most demanding rock climbs in the lower 48 states. The trail leads around the north side of the lake and continues up to Deep Lake about 1.5 miles up the trail. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. Though its neighbor, Colorado, takes up most of the outdoor attention in the central western United States, the Wind River Range offers a fair share of notable outdoor attractions in its own right. Desolation Lake (Lake 11478 on maps) at the head of the basin is said to be spectacular. From here, there is a maintained trail all the way to Big Sandy Lake. The large amount of elevation gain is absolutely worth the trek. 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. Shelli Johnson, owner of Epic Life, is an entrepreneur, life and leadership coach, leadership development facilitator, keynote presenter, writer, adventurer and guide. Located on the way up to the Cirque of the Towers, Dads Lake is a pristine alpine setting that offers even the least experienced backpackers the chance to test their trail legs. 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." sunset, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. Odesa Ukraine The placer gold in the streams was exhausted quickly, however, and by 1870 the miners began leaving the region. His favorite place he's ever visited is Alaska, and his favorite activity might be fishing or reading, depending on the day. Take a left onto Fish Hatchery Road. Lake Smith General Information County: Kossuth Location: 3 miles north of Algona Acres: 59.00 Maximum Depth: 12.6 ft. (2009) Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only Nearby Parks Ambrose A. No matter what you plan to do while in Missoula, these Airbnbs can complete the puzzle for a perfect escape. Anglers: There are golden trout in Thumb 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. by Daniell LaFleur Trip Type: Out-and-back The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. Camping along this trek can be found at Shadow Lake, and then in and around the Jackass Pass area later in the trip. I have taken backpacking trips to the Cirque of the Towers and Temple Lake area, as well as the Titcomb Basin area; however, I have not completed the WRRT yet. roanoke virginia blue ridge mountains peaks of otter . We caught our first on a day hike last summer. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. Stay right at the junction and continue. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. From the peak, descend west to the saddle, and northeast down the valley (cirque) to a group of lakes, one of which is Windy Lake. Wind Rivers. 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). When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, Wyoming. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. by Joan Pendleton. 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 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. - Marcel Proust Escape to a Random Place Discover Luzon Lake in Sullivan County, United States and Hilderbrand Lake in Wisconsin, United States . While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. Robert "Doc" Newell's first child was born at South Pass in June 1835. From Upper Silas. All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. Gold mining was revived in nearby Rock Creek in the 1930s. 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 district maintains 300 miles of system trails, 25 . In fact, my most epic day hike in the Wind River Range was on my birthday one year. It is overused and the alpine tundra is fragile. Trail, USFS - Bridger Teton National Forest Office, improvements You can learn more about our editorial policies here. 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 rest of the route is described in Nancy Palister's book, called the Goat-friendly High Route. The East face of Mt. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. Why you should go: Explore one of the Winds most popular trails to reach Big Sandy Lake. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. 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. The height of Mt. I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. Another mile or mile and a half up the trail, you see a cairn and hear Silas Creek to your right. SILAS CANYON (including Lower Silas Lake, Upper Silas Lake, Island Lake, and Thumb Lake), Trailhead: Christina Lake Trailhead, just past Fiddler Lake, when approaching from Lander, WY. All are spread over three wilderness areas. 13 Halloween Camping Activities, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, How Marfa Became the Art and Glamping Capital of Texas, 30+ Tips on Camping with Kids, From Parents Who Have Been There. Gain is absolutely worth the trek east Temple Peak is a very short list of personal. 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