First, I experienced some great fishing for Rainbows on Ross Lake (big rainbows)and cutties from Hidden Lake. Rainbow Lake is a popular fishing destination, so hikers typically bring along fishing poles to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. 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. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. Joel Pickens Walker, and his wife Mary Young Walker, made the journey with their four children. 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. A widely-used trail, this route offers the chance to take in the Wind River Range wilderness in a way thats palatable to beginner through intermediate backpackers with a taste for adventure. This vast 110-mile uplifted spine offers limitless climbing and hiking in a remote setting. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. 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. And also from going south from New Fork Lake past Lee Lake. Take your time to learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before embarking on your high-altitude adventure. 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 Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. It was spectacular. After nearly 6 miles, turn right onto WY-352 for 25.3 miles. And fishing. 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. Be sure to check area regulations prior to setting out, as campfires and campsites are restricted throughout the basin to help protect the wilderness area. Groups must stay under 15 people. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. 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. Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). Brother Benny overlooking Harrower Peak and Indian Basin on our second day in the Wind Rivers. Both areas, located just west of the Continental Divide, are rich in outstanding scenery and recreation opportunities. It is advised that you camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Lake. 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 The Highline Trail begins at the campground and follows most of the length of the Wind River Range, 80 miles to the south. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . Following the partly maintained Christina Pass Trail starting east of the trailhead at Sweetwater Guard Station (not at the end of the 2-mile dirt road to the normal Sweetwater Gap TH), you hike approximately 3 miles to the intersection with the North Fork of Blair Creek. Outside of the Sierras, Wyoming's Wind River Range is home to the West's best golden trout fishing. First, up near Forks Lakes, where we did some backcountry hiking, and most recently near Boulder Lake, where we finally got some good fishing, and an unexpected wildfire. Hi. For a while we were losing so much eleveation I thought we might have taken a wrong turn. Its in the name! 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. 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. If you find yourself off-trail with a group, everyone should spread out while walking. 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. In fact, my most epic day hike in the Wind River Range was on my birthday one year. The rest of the route is described in Nancy Palister's book, called the Goat-friendly High Route. From the Pole Creek Trail, you will see a trail that diverts and is labeled as Photographers Point. The trail then follows a loop around the lake before returning back to the original junction. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. 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. Wind Rivers. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. Weve caught a lot of brook trout here, nothing big, but the catching is pretty good in our experience. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. Then to Fire Hole Lakes, to. 97. It follows the crest of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, both off-trail and on-trail, for approximately 135 miles, giving special emphasis on staying close to the Continental Divide in the most scenic alpine areas. Take a left onto Fish Hatchery Road. If you are flying in, we recommend the Riverton, Casper, Rock Springs, and Jackson airports. P.O. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. "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. Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. In 1884, Emile Granier, a French mining engineer, established a hydraulic mining operation that allowed gold mining to continue. It traverses northwest while staying high on the mountaintops. Pursuing from thence an easterly course, they fell upon the River Platte of the Missouri, where they passed the winter and reached St. Louis in April, 1813. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. If you're looking for day-hikes out of GRL, try Slide or even Valaite . 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." 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). Abiqua Falls is a hidden treasure within the forested trenches of the western Cascades. We always see fish and big fish at that but were seldom able to trick them into biting our line. From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. Jedediah Smith's party, part of Ashley's Hundred, made the first crossing traveling east to west in Feb. 1824. See more of his great photography at Best.ChuckSutherland.Com, Press J to jump to the feed. The Big Piney Ranger District hosts a wide variety of cultural and natural history, recreational opportunities, timber, range, mineral reserves, and wildlife. For the last five years the mythical Wind Rivers have eluded my presence. If UpperSilas Lake is your destination, you go right, and cross Silas Creek, then stay right again. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56km) SSW of Lander. 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. Anglers: There are golden trout in Thumb Lake. The Wind River High Route was pioneered by Andrew Skurka and Buzz Burrell in the late 2000s. Call 307.438.970 or Email [email protected] to Book For point-to-point trips, we recommend we meet you at your take-out point and we shuttle you to your start location. By 1838, four additional American missionary women had crossed the pass, Myra Fairbanks Eells, Mary Richardson Walker, Mary Augusta Dix Gray and Sarah Gilbert White Smith. 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. 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. 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 . The approach to Deep Lake is short and the elevation gain is minimal, attributes a rock climber considers virtues. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. All are spread over three wilderness areas. 18.4 mi / 2280 ft gain The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. 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. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. You can find directions easily from guidebooks. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? 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. Climber considers virtues 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the Basin. 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