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Post by cweston on Jun 19, 2019 7:34:03 GMT -8
I have this down to two options. (No, I don't usually plan to this level of detail.) Which would you choose? I lean toward the first option: I don't know if I'll ever make it back, so it doesn't make much sense to me to be that close to Titcomb Basin and not see it. The 8 days is non-negotiable: there isn't time for additional days. Option 1:  But I like the ability to travel more lonesome country to the S of Knifepoint Creek in Option 2:  |
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Post by trinity on Jun 20, 2019 17:01:17 GMT -8
I don't know if I'll ever make it back I predict you will. Just sayin'. Hopefully swimswithtrout will weigh in, or someone else with more experience in the Winds than I. Knowing how much you seem to enjoy off-trail travel, I would lean towards option 2 (note that most of this is through areas I have not hiked, so I really don't know what I'm talking about  ). Yes, Titcomb Basin is awesome, but your first itinerary really doesn't allow you much time for enjoying your time there. And I think going over Knife Point just lends itself better to doing a loop to the south and east. Also, why not do this largely off-trail route while you are still able? 10 or 15 years from now, you will still be capable of hiking to Titcomb Basin, but a bucket-list off-trail journey through the Winds might no longer be an option. Those are just a few random and uneducated thoughts. As I believe someone pointed out in a prior thread, you will not go wrong whatever itinerary you choose. |
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Post by cweston on Jun 20, 2019 18:15:38 GMT -8
Also, why not do this largely off-trail route while you are still able? 10 or 15 years from now, you will still be capable of hiking to Titcomb Basin, but a bucket-list off-trail journey through the Winds might no longer be an option. That's a good point, thanks. Nine years ago, a 20-something NPS ranger (in North Cascades NP) used that argument to convince me that I should do a 6000-ft gain dayhike (that is not a typo) to the summit of Boulder Butte. So I'm apparently susceptible to that ploy, although she was much cuter than you, to be fair. The first four days are the same either way, and it all fits on the same custom topo from mytopo.com, so we don't necessarily have to decide in advance. |
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Post by trekkerman on Jun 21, 2019 13:43:36 GMT -8
The walk from Island Lake to the end of Titcomb Valley is among the most spectacular in the lower 48. (About 6 miles) Do not miss it.
Trekkerman in Pinedale
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panatomicx
Trail Wise!
Less noise and more green
Posts: 498 
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Post by panatomicx on Jun 22, 2019 12:43:39 GMT -8
 So we're doing something closer to option 1, but looping around "Shangri-La". We only have 7 days, we've always been stuck for at least one day with weather. We hit Titcomb in 2012, going up the Highline trail past Jean Lake, Shannon Pass, Peak lake, then over Knapsack Col down to the Basin. Also a nice route. |
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Post by bstark on Jun 25, 2019 3:53:48 GMT -8
May I recommend a third option: loop over angel pass, through the golden lakes chain, up to bloody hell pass, over Indian pass then back to Elkhart. Did that loop in 7 days in 2013 and it is a fine if sometimes challenging route. Not great if you want to base camp and day hike, but a solid route through some great country. 8 days should give you a day for the titcomb basin.
This is similar to your option 2, I think.
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Post by bstark on Jun 25, 2019 3:57:33 GMT -8
brentstark.smugmug.com/Journeys-to-the-Ends-of-the/Wind-River-Range-2013/ link to my trip from 2013. One caution I have is that it looks like snowpack this year is very high. Better be comfortable with snow travel and snowy passes and go late in the summer if you can. 2013 we had a super low snow year, so the pics I posted wont correlate well to what this year is going to look like.
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Post by cweston on Jun 25, 2019 4:53:19 GMT -8
One caution I have is that it looks like snowpack this year is very high. Better be comfortable with snow travel and snowy passes and go late in the summer if you can. 2013 we had a super low snow year, so the pics I posted wont correlate well to what this year is going to look like. Yep. We start the trip on July 29, so there will probably still be a healthy amount of snow in the high country. In general, I feel that snow makes high country travel easier, if anything, but of course one never knows until you get an eye on conditions on the ground. |
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Post by bstark on Jun 25, 2019 5:16:51 GMT -8
One caution I have is that it looks like snowpack this year is very high. Better be comfortable with snow travel and snowy passes and go late in the summer if you can. 2013 we had a super low snow year, so the pics I posted wont correlate well to what this year is going to look like. Yep. We start the trip on July 29, so there will probably still be a healthy amount of snow in the high country. In general, I feel that snow makes high country travel easier, if anything, but of course one never knows until you get an eye on conditions on the ground. I agree, snow is generally good(smooths out the boulder fields), just poses some challenges when it gets steep in the big passes. But if you are prepared even that can be ok. By July 29 things should be manageable I'd think, but I'll bet the bugs will be very healthy and hungry. There are tons of marmots in the Shangri La area. |
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Post by cweston on Jun 25, 2019 5:21:54 GMT -8
...but I'll bet the bugs will be very healthy and hungry. 2011 was an epic snow year. I did a high-country trip in the Beartooths in early August, and the mosquitos were incredible. Sometimes I had to hit the tent just too preserve my sanity. I rarely make wood fires, but I found that a small smoldering fire right in the "kitchen" was sometimes the only way to cook dinner without being sucked dry. Hopefully they won't be *that* bad. |
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Post by bstark on Jun 25, 2019 11:12:05 GMT -8
  Maybe helpful for you. Pulled these from another forum. Going to be a serious snow year, just depends how it melts. I dont think you will escape any bugs in late July. |
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Post by offtrail on Jun 25, 2019 12:05:34 GMT -8
cweston, I've been around the Winds a lot and done both of your routes. The route over "Bloody Hell Pass" to Brown Cliff Lake (aka 109800) is hard. To go all the way to Douglas Lake would be a super long day. With the high snow year, it might help as a good portion of that route when I did it was boulder hopping. The hardest part of that route is getting down to Lake 11350, after Bloody Hell Pass. It's a steep descent with large room size boulders all along that lake. I would prefer doing your Option 1. You get to see some great areas and after you cross Indian Pass you won't run into many if any people. Also check out this read from years ago. www.backpacker.com/trips/trapped-the-mike-turner-storyofftrail |
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Post by larrys on Jun 25, 2019 12:48:20 GMT -8
cweston,
Not sure if this helps but it is an easy 5-6 hour out from Island Lake to Elkhart. Blow off the Hobbs Lake overnight when returning. By all means take a day to explore Titcomb Basin. Only thing keeping it from being a National Park is there is not a road there. Stunningly beautiful and Island Lake is simply one of the most beautiful lakes in US. Have fun and take a head net.
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Post by calidream on Jun 26, 2019 16:08:36 GMT -8
Synchronicity! I've been talking with a friend who will be going to the Winds in July. I sent him the below link to Dorf's website (Dorf used to post here as did I). Dorf gives a good description of a great Winds hike that takes you over Knapsack Col and down into Titcomb from the north: www.dorfworld.net/backcountry/winds_2007/marys.htmlAnd then... I see Offtrail is posting on this thread. He's been pretty much everywhere in the Winds. Here is my account of the same hike: ckjournal.com/wind-rivers-2009-north |
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Post by cweston on Jun 27, 2019 4:57:47 GMT -8
I've been around the Winds a lot and done both of your routes. The route over "Bloody Hell Pass" to Brown Cliff Lake (aka 109800) is hard. To go all the way to Douglas Lake would be a super long day. With the high snow year, it might help as a good portion of that route when I did it was boulder hopping. The hardest part of that route is getting down to Lake 11350, after Bloody Hell Pass. It's a steep descent with large room size boulders all along that lake. Thanks, offtrail. That's good info. (I'm sure that lake 109,800 is indeed one hell of a climb! ) When you say "it's a steep descent with large room size boulders all along that lake," do you mean "it's a tough route that makes for a really difficult and challenging day," or more like "no sane person would choose to do that route?" (I've experienced both in my day, as I'm sure you have, too.) |
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). Yes, Titcomb Basin is awesome, but your first itinerary really doesn't allow you much time for enjoying your time there. And I think going over Knife Point just lends itself better to doing a loop to the south and east. Also, why not do this largely off-trail route while you are still able? 10 or 15 years from now, you will still be capable of hiking to Titcomb Basin, but a bucket-list off-trail journey through the Winds might no longer be an option. Those are just a few random and uneducated thoughts. As I believe someone pointed out in a prior thread, you will not go wrong whatever itinerary you choose. 
