trinity
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Post by trinity on Jul 24, 2022 11:36:16 GMT -8
After cancelling most of my plans for the summer due to family issues, I am finally getting away for a few weeks of camping/backpacking. I have had to make travel arrangements at the last minute, so I'll be flying to Salt Lake City in about a week, picking up a rental car, and will have just over 2 weeks before flying home. Initially I had planned to go to the Winds, which remains my favorite place I've ever been. I would probably spend some days car camping and fishing along the Green River, then head into the back country, probably from the Scab Creek trailhead, since I've never been to that area. But I'm also starting to consider other possible destinations, particularly the High Uintas, the Sawtooths, or the Frank Church. I've never been to any of these places, and I've been meaning to explore Idaho for quite a while. Any opinions? Obviously, a very personal choice, but I'd be interested to hear any of your thoughts. I'd say that, other than good hiking/backpacking, my priorities are good fishing and as few people as possible. My trips are usually pretty backpacking intensive, this one will be more relaxed, but will hopefully allow for 5-6 days in the back country.
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Post by cweston on Jul 25, 2022 7:41:35 GMT -8
Of those locations, I've only been to the Uintas, and it was decades ago, so I barely even remember. I do recall the monsoon season being particularly intense there, FWIW.
I've been interested in the Sawtooths for quite a while. The Frank probably appeals to you more than it would to me, since I don't fish. My understanding is that it's less about spectacular rugged mountain terrain, and more about the fishing/hunting and just being an incredibly remote wilderness area.
I'm not familiar with that part of the Winds, but it looks like Middle Fork Lake or Bonneville Basin would make excellent base camps. But then again, I'm a Winds fanboi, so...
Have you been to the Beartooths? Might be tough to access from SLC this year, with the roads damaged in Yellowstone.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 25, 2022 10:04:24 GMT -8
I just spent 3 wonderful days car camping and dayhiking the Gros Ventre.  I was at Upper Jade Lake early this month and the Brookies were darn near jumping in my lap.  This class on Brooks Lake enjoyed great success.  Had a great visit to Doublecabin as well, they were killin' it on The Wiggins and Frontier Creek.  I would keep an eye on the Smoke Map. Beartooths are getting some, have had very little across the Southern half of the GYE. Trinity I am not a fisherman but with family with a guiding business and fly shop I know the Upper Wind and Upper Snake River waters well. The Wind River Ranger District of the Shoshone is AMAZING for boondocking and fly fishing. I can share info on knock your socks off walk and wade fishing in the Absaroka and a bit in the Northeastern Winds that you'd share with far fewer people than the Pinedale side. |
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Post by nickhowes on Jul 25, 2022 12:41:00 GMT -8
I guess I'm biased, but I would go to the Beartooths. Some trip reports here. |
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jul 25, 2022 17:05:06 GMT -8
Y'all are supposed to be helping me narrow things down, not give me new possibilities to consider.  Okay, I've officially added the Beartooths into the mix of possibilities. John, I'd love to hear any more specific recommmendations. I have almost no knowledge of this area, so I'm starting from scratch. nickhowes , I'll be looking over those TRs. Thanks for the input, y'all, I appreciate it! |
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 27, 2022 14:24:06 GMT -8
The Gros Ventre didn't have Wilderness Designation when I was a boy but is the range I first backpacked. It is awesome and relatively "safe" for solo hikers. I was just up the Gros Ventre River yesterday and the North side of Sheep Mt. ["the Sleeping Indian"] is looking awesome right now with lingering snow. Blue Miner Lake is spectacular. Southern approaches from Granite Creek are magnificent. Hiking up Swift Creek and down Crystal Creek is special, two great nights. Brewster Lake is sweet too. So many great places.
The Southern Absaroka is my favorite "place" on Earth but might not be the best choice for solo hiking.
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Post by hikerjer on Jul 27, 2022 19:24:04 GMT -8
Trinity,
If you decide on the Beartooths and decide to fly into Billings (your best option), pm me. I may be able help in any number of ways. Be a pleasure.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jul 28, 2022 13:39:03 GMT -8
Thanks, absarokanaut , that is very helpful info. If you decide on the Beartooths and decide to fly into Billings (your best option), pm me. I may be able help in any number of ways. Be a pleasure. Thank you so much for this incredibly generous offer! Unfortunately, I have already set up my travel arrangements in and out of Salt Lake City, which is one of the reasons I'm currently leaning towards Idaho. If it looks like I'll be heading your way, I'll certainly let you know. |
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Post by oldbill on Jul 29, 2022 2:53:30 GMT -8
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Aug 16, 2022 7:49:34 GMT -8
Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. I wound up driving through Idaho for a couple of days car camping, but eventually wound up in the Winds, where I spent some time car camping along the Green River, then took a fairly liesurely trip in from the Spring Creek Park trailhead. I'll post a report in the next couple of days. It was really a fun trip.
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Post by oldbill on Aug 17, 2022 6:53:42 GMT -8
Glad you had a great time! The Upper Green is one of my favorite fishing spots, particularly when the aspen turn. How was the drive to Spring Ck TH? Last time I tried it in a rental SUV it was a no-go pretty fast.
Busy doing last minute gear shopping and prep for my Sept Winds trip. Leave in 2 weeks and return Oct 1. Still don't have all the routes worked out! Too many to choose from. Bear Basin is tough as any big weather can make that pretty uncomfortable at the very least! Getting harder to avoid crowds in many spots though.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Aug 18, 2022 8:58:18 GMT -8
oldbill , the Upper Green is one of my favorite fishing spots as well! Unfortunately the fishing was difficult, mainly due to high water levels, which made wading difficult, and may have put the fish down. But I did manage a few browns, mostly on the smallish side. None of the brutes I've caught there in the past. The drive to Sring Creek Park was rough, but very doable. I also was in a rented standard SUV, and had no problem, just had to take it slow. But there were lots of pretty deep puddles, and a major rainstorm would have certainly rendered the road impassable. I was pretty surprised by how lightly used this trailhead is, considering the access it gives to some pretty beautiful lakes. Hope you have a great trip! I'm jealous of your timing. My last trip to the Winds was in the same time frame, last two weeks in September. It was absolutely fabulous.
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Post by cweston on Aug 18, 2022 9:02:37 GMT -8
Hope you have a great trip! I'm jealous of your timing. My last trip to the Winds was in the same time frame, last two weeks in September. It was absolutely fabulous. If I get to pick any two-week window to BP in the high Rockies, it's the last two weeks of September. The weather is still pretty reliable, the aspens have turned, the monsoon storms have likely abated, as have the crowds. You do have hunters to potentially worry about, but in most jurisdictions I think Sept is bowhunting season, not rifle season, so that's not a big deal. |
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Post by oldbill on Aug 19, 2022 5:45:44 GMT -8
The drive to Sring Creek Park was rough, but very doable. I also was in a rented standard SUV, and had no problem Thanks! Great to know. Like to try a day hike up to Glimpse L sometime. Surprised about the slow fishing, but water levels are usually low when I get there in September. Almost too low many years. Used to be more rainbows in there but haven't seen them in a few years. Lots of whitefish. Looking forward to your TR. If I get to pick any two-week window to BP in the high Rockies, it's the last two weeks of September. It can be amazing, though days are shorter and nights colder. Considering Bear Basin though that can get extremely cold. I usually carry something blaze orange during hunting season. Plans so far are Labor Day weekend acclimation with 2 nights in Silas Canyon. Leave day after Labor Day for Titcomb, via Wall L (4 nights). Then day hikes in Grand Teton NP. Girlfriend leaves, nephew arrives. Then Bear Basin or Horse Ridge or Deep Ck L/Wind River peak (got snowed out our first attempt) or...tbd Last week is solo...probably something mellow like fishing the upper Green. |
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