Heres our take on the best day hikes in the Wind River Range. From chill beachside strolls to craggy peakbagging epics, this list has got you covered. The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyomings tallest mountain Gannett Peak. You'll end up a mile down the road from the parking area for the Bears Ears Trail. I saw maybe five people on my way to the Cirque from the Big Sandy Lake (Big Sandy Trailhead to Big Sandy Lake is a different story). Trip Type: Out-and-back Clear Lake is a great spot to watch sunrise and sunset, particularly if the winds are calm. 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. 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. The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. Nothing against Iowa, but I consider this one of the greatest gifts my parents have given me. Lake, continue around the shore of Upper Silas Lake on a nice trail that winds up and through the forest for another 1.5 miles or so before reaching Island 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 Jean Lakes are a long day hike from Titcomb Basin via the Highline Trail. The rest of the route down to Scott Lake is also detailed in Pallister's Book. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. 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. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Stay right at the junction and continue. Our three sons, from very young ages, have enjoyed this hike with us. Includes correspondence, Harvey's writing drafts and notes for an unpublished book on the CUP, federal documents, project litigation materials, subject files, news clippings, newsletters, programs . This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images "Follow your dreams, You can reach your goals, I'm living proof! When approaching from Temple Pass, avoid descending to Lake 10,839 by a messy traverse." Earthwalk press makes the best maps for the winds. 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. All Rights Reserved. This popular trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. I highly recommend checking trail conditions before committing to a trail. 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. Almost to the top of the tall mountain, Jerry remarked he wished I would have asked for expensive jewelry instead. 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. Make noise as youre hiking to avoid bear encounters, never hike alone, and bring bear spray or other protection. 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. Stay straight on the Smith Lake Trail and contour around Dishpan Butte. In 5wts, there are 7.5, 8 and 8.5 footers. smith lake alabama 10,470 Smith Lake Premium High Res Photos Browse 10,470 smith lake stock photos and images available, or search for lewis smith lake or lewis smith lake alabama to find more great stock photos and pictures. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. After about 1.2 miles, among a few small tarns above the basin floor, cut north to Split Mountain Pass. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. If traveling lightly and in peak physical condition, it could be possible to do this route in a little over a week. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. 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). A dazzling Wind River Range brook trout, courtesy of Finis Mitchell. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. . There's a possible high camp (pictured) on the Lizard Head Plateau overlooking the Cirque. The trail then follows a loop around the lake before returning back to the original junction. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. On day 2 we started out from Twin lakes and bushwacked our . To Roaring Fork Pass: 4.5 miles/9 miles round-trip. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. Note that on AllTrails, you can hike this as an out-and-back trail by following the Lower Green River Lake Trail. This we know. All of the areas I missed are accessible by reasonable day hikes off the WRRT, with the exception of the Northeast corner of the Range around Ross Lakes. Joel Pickens Walker, and his wife Mary Young Walker, made the journey with their four children. 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. Climber Orrin Bonney gave the area its current name in 1941 after his survey of the cirque. (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. Desolation Lake (Lake 11478 on maps) at the head of the basin is said to be spectacular. Two years ago we came back and hiked to the Cirque of the Towers, so this year I thought it . East Fork Valley could be a great side trip. South Pass was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1961. 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). 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. 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. Partway up, a short trail branches left to Bear Lakes. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. Sprawled in the shadow of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the type of city that boasts the best of all worlds. 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. Follow the top of the divide north for approximately 1.5 miles, then drop down west to the north shore of Baker Lake. South Pass (elevation 7,412ft (2,259m) and 7,550ft (2,300m)) is the collective term for two mountain passes on the American Continental Divide, in the Rocky Mountains in southwestern Wyoming. 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. Burnt Lake - Low use 8. You would be better off trying your hand at the shorter and more direct WRHR, pioneered by AdventureAlan (link at the bottom). Wind River Range " A great and fun trail with awesome views. Why you should go: Start at 10,000 feet and explore Rainbow Lake on this easy-going trail. The Wind River Roadless Area also lies within the Wind River Range. Ashley subsequently established the first Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in 1825. 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. From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. Every off-trail route, mountain pass, and glacier traverse along this route is detailed in the fine guidebooks I've had the pleasure of studying. We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. The trail to the lake, if done in one day, is long and tiring with lots of ups and downs. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. [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 Big Sandy Trailhead is the gateway to several popular backpacking trails, so you will pass more hikers here than in other areas. 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. "The ridge is most easily gained 0.5 miles from the summit; two couloirs nearer the summit are corniced early in summer and later filled with ice and loose rock. Island Lake is beautiful! 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. Wind Rivers. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is a place that nearly every backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting. Looking over Marms Lake Lakes dominate much of the Wind River Range, meaning you don't have to carry too much water. 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