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 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. Above treeline no trail has been worn, but you can follow cairns across the windswept plateau. 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. Composed mostly of National Forest land and the Wind River Reservation, the Winds are protected by three quarters of a million acres of public lands. The lake can produce some stunning reflections. Wyeth then established Fort Hall on the Snake River and the Lees settled the Willamette Valley. Looking over Marms Lake Lakes dominate much of the Wind River Range, meaning you don't have to carry too much water. For rods, I prefer 3 piece bamboo when backpacking. This article was brought to you by Gregory. My only experience is in the WRIR roadless area, though. Earthwalk press makes the best maps for the winds. Looks like a cool hike though! Stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range in Wyoming is an oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry exploration. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Its in the name! The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. 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). The archery range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and is free-of-charge. You'll want to bring your friends and family to experience the sheer quantity (and quality) of scenic, unbeatable camping across Sublette County. This section was inspired by Matt Lemke's trip report "Gone with the Winds." Boulder Lake-High use 9. " Joan Pendleton OpenMapTiles OSM 36.2 Miles Point to Point 11,075' High 7,641' Low 5,946' Up 5,973' Down 6% Avg Grade (4) 52% Max Grade (28) Toolbox Plan in onX Backcountry I'm kind of a Granger fan so the thought of taking 2 of those is something I look forward to. She is married to Jerry, and is the mother of three sons, Wolf, Hayden, and Fin. This is the only small section of the WRRT where these tools may be required. Great news: Dads Lake is a dog-friendly trail, just be sure to bring a leash along. 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. From Cheyenne to Jackson, Evanston to Casper to Gillette and everywhere in between. 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. I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. It is all off trail, and may have tricky route finding, but is never technical (vast majority is class 2 and below, with a few possible class 3 moves). Trip Type: Out-and-back [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. (It takes about 45 minutes to drive from Lander, WY, up the switchbacks and to the Christina Lake Trailhead.). We caught our first on a day hike last summer. Ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail? For speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake is a popular camping spot just under 6 miles from the Big Sandy trailhead. The Jean Lakes are a long day hike from Titcomb Basin via the Highline Trail. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. The town of Pinedale is the gateway into many of the Wind River trailheads. 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. Nothing in fishing excites me as much as sight fishing mountain lakes with dry flies and the for the last 3 summers the Wind river range has been my go to place. The best time to visit the Titcomb Basin area is in the late summer, beginning in July and ending in late September. 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. Following is a very short list of my personal favorite day hikes in Wind River Country: Trailhead: Glacier Trail. We hiked to Clear Lake in the Winds from the Green River Lakes TH. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. 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. To create a loop, youll just want to follow the Lakeside Trail back to the trailhead. Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. Although the Wind River Range wilderness doesnt suffer from the overuse issues that the Sierras or Rockies do, its still important to exercise Leave No Trace principles, which include planning your trip ahead of time to make sure you understand the regulations related to garbage disposal, waste management and other matters. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. The small lake draws far fewer anglers than other hikes in the area, meaning hikers here will enjoy a quieter, more secluded trail. 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. Cirque of the Towers Wind River Range #78372 Purchase. Although the Wind River Range is not quite as tall on average as the Rockies, altitude is still a major consideration for backpackers and hikers alike, particularly at elevations above 9,000 feet. From here the trail ascends 400 feet and then drops down into Dickenson Park. Note that on AllTrails, you can hike this as an out-and-back trail by following the Lower Green River Lake Trail. Wildlife is abundant here, and that includes grizzly bears. Thumb Lake is just a mile or so above Island Lake, and its worth the extra effort to see it. Headwaters of the Green River | Tuesday - Saturday, August 17-21, 2021. If you find yourself off-trail with a group, everyone should spread out while walking. 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. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead The pass is a broad open saddle with prairie and sagebrush, allowing a broad and nearly level route between the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds. I wouldn't bet on it, however. The road immediately forks; stay left and follow this road to the end. "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. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. Do this route early morning to avoid afternoon storms. The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! Then to Fire Hole Lakes, to. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56 km) SSW of Lander . While hiking here, its imperative to follow Leave No Trace principles to create a minimal impact on this wild terrain. Use caution when going off trail to look for campsites, and, above all, leave nothing behind throughout your journey. The trail then follows a loop around the lake before returning back to the original junction. Given the easy elevation gain and well maintained trail, this is a great choice for families. Bear Lakes, although a short detour, look absolutely gorgeous. Hike through forest and up the rolling trail for about another mile before arriving at Upper Silas Lake. 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. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. I have just connected bits and pieces of their suggested routes into an alpine traverse of the entire range. "Don and I both knew that it was possible to do a great high route in the Wind River Range," Alan wrote me in an email. 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. Almost relentlessly rugged and physically and mentally taxing, with navigational challenges, and mile-for-mile arguably the most jaw-dropping trek through any mountain range in Americaand I've taken many of the very best over the past three decades, including the 10 years I spent as . Hosting 100+ miles of the Continental Divide Trail and astounding mountain scenery, Wyomings Wind River Range offers more to explore beyond the Tetons, Medicine Bows, and Yellowstone National Park. Head out on this 24.9-mile out-and-back trail near Pinedale, Wyoming. The area between the lakes is blessed with many fine . The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. It was spectacular. _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. From Upper Golden, head north up to Lake 10787, the east down the slopes, and then north to Camp Lake. I think most people pass right by this lake, enroute to Upper Silas Lake. Widely considered the best trail for seeing the wide range of geography and terrain in the range, Titcomb Basin is a 30-mile round-trip trek that offers panoramic views, campsites at alpine lakes and a possible visit to the highest point in the state of Wyoming, Gannett Peak. [5]:114,128. You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. Scab Creek - Medium use 10. To first of the Stough Creek Basin lakes: 6.5 miles/13 miles round-trip. Why is this hike so popular? You can find her on Instagram at @aka_dmoney. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. " 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? Hi. The Sweetwater River flows past the east side of the pass, and Pacific Creek rises on the west side. #2. Pick up all dog waste as well as any human trash. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. To Hike to Lake Louise: Its about 2.5 miles to Lake Louise, 5 miles roundtrip. Call State Park Amenities Amenities at Lake Smith include: Boat Access Fishing Jetty Accessible Pier Picnic Area Beach Trails Accessible Facilities 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 . The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. A river, that appears to drop into an unseen . On a day hike last summer for speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake enroute! Lake trail, the total elevation gain and well maintained trail, this the... Last summer 45 minutes to drive from Lander, WY: Dads Lake is just a or... Trail has been worn, but you can hike this as an trail... Spectacular wilderness ranges and is free-of-charge first on a day hike from Titcomb Basin area is the... That appears to drop into an unseen headwaters of the Wind River Range favorite backpack... 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