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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. It offers panoramic views and excellent backcountry camping without the heavy mileage of its longer cousin. However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. The Rainbow Lake Trail begins at Dream Lake, which is right along the Continental Divide Trail. You'll touch the east shore of Lonesome Lake, and follow the trail east to Lizard Head Meadows. Cabin Rentals Areas. Last year on our Jerrys and my anniversary, we took the boys on a hiking and fishing trip to Silas. (1), Southwest Arete Lost Temple Spire, IV, 5.10b. Sprawled in the shadow of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the type of city that boasts the best of all worlds. On Lizard Head Plateau. We caught our first on a day hike last summer. In 1836, Fitzpatrick guided the "First White Women to Cross This Pass", Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, along with and their husbands, plus Miles Goodyear and William Gray. In fact, my most epic day hike in the Wind River Range was on my birthday one year. From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 11 h 27 min to complete. Judging from a recent picture, it may go, but only in late summer. 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. Continue north past the west side of Lake 11085 and weave your way through the multitude of lakes north and east of Mount Solitude. . Under most conditions, crampons are required. Abiqua Falls is a hidden treasure within the forested trenches of the western Cascades. I'm sure someone over here is familiar with Wind River Range hikes and could point me in the right direction. 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 name is Shelli Johnson, and I love to hike. All lakes can be accessed using the Stough Creek, Sheep Bridge, or Sweetwater trailheads in the Shoshone National Forest. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes . 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. Wind River Range " A great and fun trail with awesome views. 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. This is the only small section of the WRRT where these tools may be required. 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). Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. 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. Only the off-trail option is doable as a day hike (shown on a map in Pallister's book). The passes furnish a natural crossing point of the Rockies. We've spent the last week exploring the Wind River Range around Pinedale, WY. 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 . Considering taking a trip with your trail pup? Wind River Range Backpacking Video. 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.] Island Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming, 1861. This trail is 40.5 mi long with an elevation gain of 7,513 ft. What is the longest trail in Wind River Range? Additional Read: The 11 Best Airbnbs Near Grand Teton National Park. The rest of the route down to Scott Lake is also detailed in Pallister's Book. After about 1.2 miles, among a few small tarns above the basin floor, cut north to Split Mountain Pass. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. If UpperSilas Lake is your destination, you go right, and cross Silas Creek, then stay right again. 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). They thrive in cold water and are typically only . I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. From this saddle, both East Temple and Temple Peaks are worthwhile side trips. Rainbow Lake is a popular fishing destination, so hikers typically bring along fishing poles to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. The East face of Mt. The placer gold in the streams was exhausted quickly, however, and by 1870 the miners began leaving the region. The Big Piney Ranger District hosts a wide variety of cultural and natural history, recreational opportunities, timber, range, mineral reserves, and wildlife. It is fine country to wander through. 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. [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. Joel Pickens Walker, and his wife Mary Young Walker, made the journey with their four children. 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. You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. 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. 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 archery range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and is free-of-charge. Given the easy elevation gain and well maintained trail, this is a great choice for families. The world-record Golden trout came from a lake in the Wind River Range, forever marking this special area a destination for any who seek this hard-to-catch trout. If you only have time for a single day hike through the Wind River Range, follow the Pole Creek Trail to Photographers Point. The trail to the lake, if done in one day, is long and tiring with lots of ups and downs. The Wind River Range is home to thousands of lakes and ponds, with an appealing mix of golden, brook, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Wildlife is abundant here, and that includes grizzly bears. Jedediah Smith's party, part of Ashley's Hundred, made the first crossing traveling east to west in Feb. 1824. Gold had been discovered in the gulches near the pass as early as 1842. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. Wind River Mountains Topographic Map - Northern Half by Beartooth Mapping. You would be better off trying your hand at the shorter and more direct WRHR, pioneered by AdventureAlan (link at the bottom). Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. I'm very interested in this hike right here: https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/smith-lake-basin-in-wyomings-wind-river-range-is-a-hikers-haven and I am wondering if anyone could point me to a trail map or something along those lines to visualize what I would be doing. Why you should go: Start at 10,000 feet and explore Rainbow Lake on this easy-going trail. The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. Its in the name! 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. 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. The approach to Deep Lake is short and the elevation gain is minimal, attributes a rock climber considers virtues. The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyoming's tallest mountain Gannett Peak. Denver's central location makes it easy to get the most out of the Rocky Mountain West. Island Lake is beautiful! Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Take a left onto Fish Hatchery Road. Wagon ruts are still clearly visible at numerous sites within a few miles of the highway.[10]. It is a beautiful lake! After passage of the Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860, South Pass Station was established in 1861, at Last Crossing on the Sweetwater River. Among the best ways to explore the Wind River Range is to travel one of the spectacular trails through the region. As mentioned earlier, there are plenty of alpine lakes to go around this beautiful mountain range, creating world-renowned fly fishing. Books and maps can be purchased here. Box 925 The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. 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. Dads Lake also has the benefit of being at a slightly lower elevation than some of the classic Wind River Range backpacking trails, so seasonality can be a bit easier to handle. From Little Sandy Creek, You then continue to Temple Pass. wildflowers, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. 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. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. All of which means that Wind River Range backpacking is a must-do for anyone serious about getting outside. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. sunset, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. Upper Silas Lake offers great fishing. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is a place that nearly every backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting. 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. The road immediately forks; stay left and follow this road to the end. Looks like a cool hike though! We started hiking at 3:30am, and hiked 16 miles to the top of Wind River Peak, the tallest peak in the southern Wind River Range, only to turn around and return. About 500 of them are named, and most of them are fishable. Labeled Pinedales most popular day hike, this hike is a guaranteed winner if you can handle the distance. Follow the plateau northwest all the way to Lake 10528 in Stough Creek Basin. 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. 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. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. The range spans over 100 miles running roughly from Jackson, WY at its northwest edge, to Atlantic City, WY at its south eastern terminus. Day Hikes and backpacking routes are abundant throughout the Wind River Range, but the amount of use these trails see remains small compared to Wyomings better-known parks. Two years ago we came back and hiked to the Cirque of the Towers, so this year I thought it . Utah may be a giant desert, but it's still got plenty of waterfalls for adventurous hikers to chase. While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. 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. According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! She has had the privilege of working for Colorados most experienced climbing guide service as an Office & Marketing Manager and an Outdoor Climbing Guide. From here, there is a maintained trail all the way to Big Sandy Lake. Also in 1835, Thomas Fitzpatrick led Protestant missionaries Samuel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman across the pass. 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. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. Lower Silas Lake: Its about 2 miles to Lower Silas Lake, 4 miles roundtrip. Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. From Hay Pass, drop south past the east of Dennis Lake, and past the west shores of Golden Lake, Lake Louise, and finally Upper Golden Lake. Hooker towers above Grave Lake, and is the largest vertical rock wall in Wyoming. 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. Approximately 4 miles south of Dubois, on Hwy 26/287. 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." Explore the World. "Follow your dreams, You can reach your goals, I'm living proof! 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. 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. And fishing. In 1841, Fitzpatrick led the Bartleson-Bidwell Party across the pass, the first wagon train. This is rated as class 2-3 by Pallister. 2023WindRiverVisitorsCouncil. [5]:114,128. AREA MAPS: Beartooth Publishing North Wind River Range. This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images 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. 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. Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. 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. Call 307.438.970 or Email windrivershuttle@gmail.com 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. " Blaine Myers OpenMapTiles OSM 14.1 Miles Point to Point 10,338' High 8,234' Low 2,896' Up 793' Down 5% Avg Grade (3) 28% Max Grade (15) Toolbox Plan in onX Backcountry Driving directions Take a virtual tour Download GPX File Know This Trail? One section of this trail lies along the Highline Trail/Continental Divide Trail, delivering epic views of the iconic Squaretop Mountain, White Rock, and Lower Green River Lake. Backpacking is popular from this trailhead and youll almost always find photographers at the lookout, so trail traffic will be heavier here than other areas. Follow the trail around the large base of Roaring Fork Mountain to arrive at Tayo Park. Groups must stay under 15 people. Consult guidebooks on the safest way to ascend Indian Pass. UPPER SILAS LAKE: Its about 3 miles from the trailhead to Upper Silas Lake, 6 miles roundtrip. 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. Weve spent Labor Day weekend here with the kids on a couple of occasions. . [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. 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. 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. Welcome to /r/wyoming! All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. Follow the top of the divide north for approximately 1.5 miles, then drop down west to the north shore of Baker Lake. 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. We hiked to Clear Lake in the Winds from the Green River Lakes TH. Upload a photo Fix/Improve This Page From the northwest corner of Scott Lake, ascend northwest to "Smirnoff Pass" (unofficial name of the pass between Scott Lake and Lake 11085 to the north). Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the outdoor enthusiast. See more of his great photography at Best.ChuckSutherland.Com, Press J to jump to the feed. Grand River and Spring Valley . Pole Creek Trail is another trail that takes off from the Big Sandy Trailhead and is the gateway to the Cirque of the Towers area. The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. From the Elkhart trailhead parking lot, take the Pole Creek Trail directly adjacent to . Fishing and backpacking are popular here, so bring your pack, tent, and fishing pole to make this a fun overnighter. The route traverses glaciers, boulderfields, alpine . Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my phone would be appreciated! On day 2 we started out from Twin lakes and bushwacked our . Additional Read: 11 Amazing Wyoming Cabin Rentals To Warm Your Soul. Gold mining was revived in nearby Rock Creek in the 1930s. 2022 Best Places to Camp: Top 10 in the U.S. True happiness in the Cirque of the Towers. Hike along the eastern ramps and shore of this lake (it is reported that the going is toughest at the beginning southeast end). From Temple Pass, descend to the east shore of Temple Lake. 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. Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. 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. East Temple Peak is a class 2 stroll directly northeast from Temple Pass. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or - Marcel Proust Escape to a Random Place Discover Luzon Lake in Sullivan County, United States and Hilderbrand Lake in Wisconsin, United States . It is non-technical, but may require technical gear in early-season. 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. Clarkston, WA. Wind River Range Plan with onX Backcountry " Visit the forests and creeks, and high alpine dotted with lakes, on this Wind River Range backpacking tour. Check Out Our Perks and Open Positions, Lets Get Spooky! Above treeline no trail has been worn, but you can follow cairns across the windswept plateau. 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. If you're not comfortable traversing the Mammoth Glacier described in Pallister's book, an alternate route is to go over Knapsack Col and down to Peak Lake, over Cube Rock Pass, and join the Highline Trail near Trail Creek Park. A river, that appears to drop into an unseen . Mileage: 29-30 miles RT You'll end up a mile down the road from the parking area for the Bears Ears Trail. 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. 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. September is when temperatures begin to drop low enough to get rid of the little buggers. Considering taking on of the Wind River classics? Heres what to know before you get out on the trail: 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 Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. 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. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named 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. I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. 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.

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