If conditions/weather is not safe, day hike into the Titcomb Lakes, and exit to the Green River Lakes via the Highline Trail. No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. 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. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. The section from Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque of the Towers will be the busiest part of the entire WRRT. 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. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. It is fine country to wander through. I think most people pass right by this lake, enroute to Upper Silas Lake. A dazzling Wind River Range brook trout, courtesy of Finis Mitchell. [5]:110,113[4]:158, In 1842, John C. Fremont led a United States Army Corps of Topographical Engineers expedition to survey South Pass. You'll want to bring your friends and family to experience the sheer quantity (and quality) of scenic, unbeatable camping across Sublette County. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. "Follow your dreams, You can reach your goals, I'm living proof! Clarkston, WA. Drainages are intricate and minor obstacles abound, but by paying attention and consulting a map you can get where you're going without difficulty." [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. Both locations are mind-bogglingly beautiful with plenty of features to lure the outdoor enthusiast. Just continue north to shallow and picturesque Hay Pass. 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. 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. 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. ), But I digress. Consult guidebooks on the safest way to ascend Indian Pass. 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. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. From Grave Lake by taking the Hailey Pass trail west to Pyramid Lake, then off-trail north up the East Fork Valley. 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." They were trying to avoid Crow warriors further north, on their return to St. Louis, Missouri from Astoria, Oregon. Robert "Doc" Newell's first child was born at South Pass in June 1835. [2][9], Wyoming Highway 28 traverses the modern pass, roughly following the route of the Oregon Trail. While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. Try traveling this trail anytime between May and September, but remember: Its always a good idea to check the snowpack reports. _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. Weve spent Labor Day weekend here with the kids on a couple of occasions. This trail is great for backpacking, birding, and camping, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. 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. Wildlife is abundant here, and that includes grizzly bears. We ended up at Boulder Lake Campground through another gift of serendipity. Given its location and proximity to the Big Sandy Campground, day traffic here can be heavy; however, once you arrive at the lake, campsites abound in and around the lake area, and theres usually a place to find some solitude. 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. Hidden Lake can be reached by bushwacking 2 miles from Ross Lake. From Lake 10,542, travel northwest through the rugged valley containing Long Lake (Lake 10,683). Its the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. Mileage: 17 miles RT " 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? The trail cuts away from Seneca Lake and drops way, way down. Trip Type: Out-and-back 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. By 1848, 18,487 Americans had crossed the pass, and over 300,000 by 1860. One of these lakes goes by the alias "Flying Monkey Lake" (not on maps), and is the home of the largest Golden Trout in the world. EXTREME WX CATEGORIES CITIES & VALUES: Temperature Dewpoint Heat Index Wind Wind Chill Pressure Pressure Change What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? From Wykee Lake, travel 1 mile (on-trail) west to the south shore of Sonnicant Lake. 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. The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. 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. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Check the Map. For a while we were losing so much eleveation I thought we might have taken a wrong turn. Island Lake is beautiful! Ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail? Earthwalk Press North Wind River Range. Wind River Backcountry Rock Location Wind River Range Season Summer - Fall Difficulty Moderate - Hard Duration 5 - 7 Days 1 2 Overview Jackson Hole Mountain Guides have been climbing in the Winds for decades, and have racked up an impressive list of ascents of many of their finest routes. 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. On Lizard Head Plateau. 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. 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. 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." From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. 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. 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. The route down the glacier is detailed in Pallister's book, and unless you are slightly crazy, you should plan to carry some form of light crampons and an ice axe. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. For rods, I prefer 3 piece bamboo when backpacking. About 500 of them are named, and most of them are fishable. . No matter what you plan to do while in Missoula, these Airbnbs can complete the puzzle for a perfect escape. 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. Welcome to /r/wyoming! 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. 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 biggest trout - in the 25- to 27-inch range were in relatively deep water near the outlet, but those were the wiliest . Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. To Roaring Fork Pass: 4.5 miles/9 miles round-trip. Take your time to learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before embarking on your high-altitude adventure. The Wind Rivers humbly hide 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, including Wyomings tallest mountain Gannett Peak. Any resources that would help me complete that hike and have it as a resource on my phone would be appreciated! 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. Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. Feb 6, 2017. Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Only Island Lake and Titcomb Basin come close in popularity. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. Its recommended for the Cirque of the Towers loop that you bring a map and compass and that you know how to use them. From Camp Lake, head northeast above Half-Fish Lake (Lake 9675) and continue above treeline up the slopes around 11,600 feet. After passage of the Pacific Telegraph Act of 1860, South Pass Station was established in 1861, at Last Crossing on the Sweetwater River. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. Hooker towers above Grave Lake, and is the largest vertical rock wall in Wyoming. Go south up the glacier to the top of Indian Pass. 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. 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. 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