5-6 Night Winds Trip - Last week of July -

Given what you're describing, I think SWT's last suggestion (an out and back to Island Lake) makes good sense. If you wanted to change it up a bit, you could go in via the Pole Creek Trail, spend one night, then over Lester Pass and up to Island Lake, spend a few days fishing and exploring, and come back out spending your last night at Hobb's Lake, which has lots of nice campsites (mostly along the east side) and decent fishing.

Island lake is more or less at the entrance to the basin. I believe what SWT is suggesting (and I am seconding) is that you basecamp there (beautiful campsites, and, by all reports, good fishing), and make daytrips up to the head of the basin and other destinations (I would recommend Indian Basin). I have camped up near Pothole Lake, and it was awesome, but the campsite itself was not as nice as those I saw at Island. And I never had any luck fishing the lakes (I think the trout in the Titcomb Lakes are mostly Goldens, which are notoriously difficult to catch). Here is what my campsite looked like. As you can see, it is absolutely stunning, but also pretty exposed, and not a whole lot of level ground.  Given the size of your group, I think there's a lot to be said for Island Lake.  Biggest drawback is that it is a fairly high-use area.

Arkoudaphobia ended it with a couple of women I dated years ago. They however of course thought nothing of putting their lives at exponentially greater risk just driving for a carton of milk.

Enjoying the thread immensely! Promised my girlfriend a trip to Titcomb this year since my group trip failed due to the 2020 Labor Day storm. My own preference is to target less popular places or at least minimize the number of others on the trail. I decided we'd do part of the loop SWT already made: Pole Ck to Wall to Island. Basecamp, then see Titcomb, Indian Basin and/or the Big Slide and perhaps Peak L. Getting older so not sure I can make Upper Cook the first day and promised I'd keep the pace GF-friendly so we have plenty of options for camping along the way. Camping at Island isn't my first choice, but will try to find a less-used spot near the outlet, though I may hear all about "I want a view from the tent."

Like Trinity stated, don't expect much luck fishing the Titcomb Lakes or even Wall. Fish are mostly deep that time of year. You might have some luck at Island or the Cook Lakes, but even that could be hit/miss. Miller L has excellent brook trout fishing, easy to get to off Pole Ck trail.

I tried non-GTX boots my first year out there (always go in Sept). Even just getting wet from the morning frost/dew was enough to trigger my Raynauds. Also enjoy ankle protection from the sharp granite. My boot sides always seems to get scraped at least a few times. Enjoy the Salomon Quest 4d 3's (best fitting & comfortable boot I've had) but traction on wet granite isn't great IMO. Big safety issue if having to traverse a steep, narrow granite slab in the rain. Trying Scarpa Zodiac for this year's trip. But a lot of WRHR folks swear by trail runners and Topshot's also hiked some seriously rough terrain in the Winds. HYOH.

Just remember if you do end up cooking fish. You're in griz country and that smell travels well and sticks around. Also food related: use an Opsac + Ursack or properly hang (very difficult to do properly even below treeline). Also, no fires at Island L. It's considered above treeline.

All great plans! Can't go wrong, especially if weather holds. If a friend from BCP can join me after my GF leaves, I'm hoping for a 5 day loop through Bear Basin from Green R TH. Else, may head over Wall Pass to see Bull Lake Creek and the Fortress. Or, head back to Lander for a few days fishing above tree line in a canyon that doesn't get much traffic.

General info on using any bear canister: All smellables go inside. Soap, food, scented TP, tooth paste, everything. That might mean more than one per person. Store them well away from camp during the night. 100 yards is the suggested distance. No one wants a bear playing with the canister, within sight from the tent. If you're concerned about not being able to find it again, place brightly colored stickers on it.