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Post by livinzlife on May 22, 2020 8:45:41 GMT -8
In 2016, I posted my first post here, asking for some advice on where to go with a couple of my backpacking friends. We were starting an annual tradition of heading outside of normal stomping grounds (Maryland) for some unique backpacking experiences. Our preferences were, and still are: - Incredible Views
- Non-crowded (we are willing and able to earn isolation)
- Stunning Lakes and/or Water Features. We really enjoy camping alongside empty lakes!
- Reasonable backpacking weather in August (that's when the 3 of us are able to get off work for this)
- Loop can be done in 5-6 days (we're usually good for about 8-10 miles of rough terrain a day, but have done more if needed)
2017, we did Olympic Nat'l Park Hoh/Bogachiel area 2018, we did a large loop of the southern half of Sawtooth below Red Fish Lake 2019, we did a loop in the Beartooths, north from Cooke City to Granite Peak, then south to boulder lakes and back 2020, looking for suggestions again!
Sawtooth was such a great trip that we've considered going back again. But I'd like to hear those suggestions that will encourage us there's more out there that's just as good if not better!
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Post by cweston on May 22, 2020 10:00:41 GMT -8
Given your preference for lakes, the Winds would be a great choice.
If you want to go back to the Beartooths, consider east of the area of your first trip: looping through the Sierra Creek/Crystal Lake area and Jasper/Albino/Becker lakes.
The most beautiful lakes I've ever camped at are on *difficult* off-trail routes in the Gore range of Colorado. Is off-trail on the table?
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Post by livinzlife on May 22, 2020 10:14:06 GMT -8
cweston off-trail is definitely on the table. We love a good physical/navigational challenge.
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Post by cweston on May 22, 2020 10:30:35 GMT -8
A couple Gore range trips to spectacular lakes: "South America" lake Bubble LakeI have also bushwacked up the south fork of Black Creek to Bubble Lake, which is a pretty brutal few miles between the end of the trail and the treeline, but otherwise a glorious route for those who are up for that sort of thing. (That was long enough ago that the TR is no longer available here, or may have been on the previous incarnation of this board.) If you travel to Bubble Lake via Kneeknocker saddle (the usual route), you can cross the pass to the south to the small alpine lakes in the south fork of Black Creek drainage without too much difficulty, and they are spectacular. (The pass is not easy, but if you can get to Bubble Lake in the first place, you can cross the pass.) These routes are wilderness wilderness: I can't stress that enough. There are other off-trail routes in the western and southern portions of the Gore range that are not quite so gonzo.
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Post by larrys on May 24, 2020 11:32:36 GMT -8
This one is easy. If you have not been to the Wind Rivers then that would be my next stop. You can use the Outdoor Shop in Pinedale to shuttle your car so that you can do a point to point and see more territory. My suggestion is to start at Green River Lakes TH and hike along left side of the lake and along the Green River. How far you get that day will depend on when you start. If you get an early start you can hike in 10-11 miles and camp in the large clearing by the river before you start to make elevation in the trees. This hike is flat - so easier first day. If you get a late start and can only make 3-4 miles then there is a fantastic camping spot as the upper lake ends and becomes a river again. One of my all time favorite camping spots with great view up the lake to Squaretop.
Day 2 would be to work your way to Peak Lake. There is an off trail scramble before Peak Lake, so save some energy for that. Stay to the left side and you will find the use trail. This hike would be a long day if day one was 3-4 miles. Peak Lake is stunning.
Day 3 you have a choice. You can hike up to Knapsack Col and hike into the back of Titcomb Basin. This is off trail and I would only attempt if there was no snow or ice at the top. The other option is much easier but not as epic and that is to hike past Jean Lakes to Island Lake. Pretty easy day as it is a lot of easy downhill hiking.
Day 4 explore Titcomb Basin from Island Lake basecamp.
Day 5 option to hike into Indian Basin or hike out to your shuttled car past Seneca Lake and Photographer’s Point. Hike out to TH is 11-12 miles and can be done in 4-6 hours depending on speed and where around Island Lake you are camped.
This trip will give you a great intro to the beauty of the Winds. July and early August can be really tough on folks because of the biblical level of mosquitoes. Have fun wherever you decide to go.
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Post by trinity on May 24, 2020 16:19:43 GMT -8
This one is easy. If you have not been to the Wind Rivers then that would be my next stop. +1. No brainer. |
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Post by cweston on May 25, 2020 4:51:47 GMT -8
Given your preference for lakes, the Winds would be a great choice. This one is easy. If you have not been to the Wind Rivers then that would be my next stop. I'm sensing a trend. Be aware that Griz have recently been confirmed on the west side of the divide in the areas one passes through between Titcomb Basin and the Elkhart TH. So pack accordingly. If you like off-trail, the area east of the divide below Indian Pass is spectacular. The headwaters of North Fork Bull Lake Creek is among the most stunning spots I've ever been.
Pallister is the Bible for off-trail in the Winds:
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Post by absarokanaut on May 26, 2020 7:21:17 GMT -8
Like the Winds down the road here Colorado's Sangre de Cristo Range has incredible lake fishing in multiple drainages. It is a very Narrow Range so loops might not be in order but there are all kinds of out and backs right next to each other Before I make many more suggestions I encourage you to get on Joey's Youtube Channel "My Own Frontier" and see awesome backpacking videos from many locations across the West. Have you ever been to the Bechler?  What about the Absaroka Range in the Dunoir Special Management area or the Teton and Washakie Wildernesses?  |
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null
Trail Wise!
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Post by null on May 26, 2020 11:53:05 GMT -8
Have you ever been to the Bechler? Hey, it's Mr. Bubbles! |
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Post by oldbill on May 27, 2020 11:00:26 GMT -8
+1 on Joey's videos. The extra effort makes them National Geographic quality. Great suggestions already. Others to consider for the Winds is a NE section on Ross L area and Bear Basin. See Joey's video linking them: Backpacking the Wind River Range: Ross Lake/Bear Basin/Connie-Grasshopper Glacier, Dinwoody RouteI was looking at Nancy's book last night to get ideas for possible 5 day loops out of Green R TH to Bear. Tough country I'm working on my Winds trip(s) so had these in mind and will need help myself. So many routes, so little time. |
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Post by livinzlife on May 29, 2020 8:36:50 GMT -8
Thanks all for the suggestions!
The winds are looking very appealing, love that video too.
Going to buy the book that's been suggested and put together a few potential 6 day routes.
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kman
Trail Wise!
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Post by kman on May 31, 2020 19:15:06 GMT -8
Have to agree with the others, the winds and going into titcomb basin is a great area.
For other considerations not in this section, Yosemite is always incredible, the high camp areas have many options, I did cathedral lake and sunrise, but have visited other trails on dayhikes.
or, kings canyon/ sequoia. Once again, I am not out for more than 2-3 nights, but did pear lake to give an example. The Rae lakes loop trail has always been a trip that I wanted to do. I have done part of it, but not the whole trip.
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Post by hikeer on Jun 2, 2020 17:34:22 GMT -8
Get the Pallister book, go to the Winds. You will not regret it. Plus she gives you many different options from easy to difficult. Easy to find solitude away from the Cirque and Titcomb Basin in areas that are just as amazing.
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Post by marmotstew on Jun 3, 2020 11:40:29 GMT -8
Cweston
Is bubble lake the trail that will kill you or was that another I asked you about some time ago? About how many miles off trail? And are we talking climbing over/under logs, boulders kinda off trail or is it more technical? Looks like TR is out of black creek res.
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Post by cweston on Jun 3, 2020 11:59:52 GMT -8
Is bubble lake the trail that will kill you or was that another I asked you about some time ago? About how many miles off trail? And are we talking climbing over/under logs, boulders kinda off trail or is it more technical? Looks like TR is out of black creek res. "Trail that will kill you" is a bit dramatic, but yeah. The standard approach is from the west over Knee-knocker Pass. That approach involves a couple miles of a brush, rough climber's path, then a steep talus climb to the pass, then snow and boulders and talus down the east side of the pass. Tough, but not fatal. One can also bushwhack up the S Fork of Black Creek from the east. This involves an OK hike up an abandoned trail, then a tough bushwack for 2-3 miles, then a not-too-bad class 2-3 scramble over a pass to Bubble Lake Or, you can bushwack directly up Black Creek. That's the one that will kill you. |
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