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Post by oldbill on May 26, 2016 17:32:56 GMT -8
Need some advice for a trip early September. I've done short 2-3 day solo backpacks in the area for several years so have some familiarity. This year my nephew will join me. He's new to camping/backpacking/hiking but athletic (24 yrs old, tough mudder, marathon runner). I'm still looking for my golden trout before I get too old (almost 60) but want him to experience my favorite place. Certain he'll enjoy a demanding hike with some majestic views, but he's not a fisherman. He has 1 wk to spend. I have 2.
With acclimation and travel stuff, I expect we can spend 4, maybe 5 days hiking. That could be 1 long or 2 shorter hikes. I'd like to work in prospecting for gold with the hike if possible. But the main thing is to pass along the experience to the next generation.
Routes with possible fishing:
1) Roaring Fork trail to Faler (2 days)
2) Meadow Lake or Elkhart to Bull Lake Ck drainage (at least to Golden L) via Fall Creek/Timico L. pass (4-5d)
3) Elkhart to Wall Lake (2-3 days) - skunked last 2 years I did it though
4) Deep Creek Lake/Ice Lakes loop from Worthen Meadows
Classic routes for view to Island/Titcomb, Elbow Lake or the Cirque via Jackass Pass (1-3 days)
Any suggestions?
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Post by absarokanaut on May 30, 2016 7:48:35 GMT -8
If you want a short Winds hike with good fishing think about Ross Lakes on the East side from the Glacier Trailhead a Trail Lake just outside of Dubois. Also Bomber Lake and Basin is pretty sweet. Love hiking Whiskey Mt. too.
You should get some help in here after the holiday weekend.
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Post by oldbill on May 30, 2016 13:19:22 GMT -8
Much appreciated. I've day hiked L. Louise and to upper part of switchbacks on Glacier trail. Understood W. Torrey Ck between Ross and Hidden has good rainbow action. I'd pack my fly outfit for that one. Usually pack spinning gear to beat the wind on lakes. Need to explore that area more.
Is the trail in Bomber basin still in good shape? Thought there was a lot of damage from fires a few years ago.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 1, 2016 4:45:50 GMT -8
I think the trail is fine, but haven't done it since '11. Rough country around Hidden, guy broke his leg and it was a pain for S&R a few years ago. They tend to keep trails up well in Northeastern Winds, not so much in my beloved Southern Absaroka.
I'm really surprised you are not getting responses here. You might also try the forum at backcountrypost.com. Utah based, lots of Winds discussion and frequent usage.
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Post by oldbill on Jun 1, 2016 10:06:59 GMT -8
The Absarokas are amazing as well. Spent 10 yrs at the T-Cross. Five Pockets and Wiggins Fork are spectacular. Griz danger too high for this greenhorn though I did dayhike to Jade L. a few wks after the attack a few years ago. A couple of hunters tried to scare me off with enhanced tales of the killing. Still fish the upper Wind R every year.
Hope others chime in but will follow up on backcountrypost. Probably anything we do out there will make this a lifelong memory for him. If it's mostly pleasant (and somewhat adventurous) maybe I'll pass the tradition along.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 1, 2016 16:06:27 GMT -8
Bill,
I have family that own the Guest Ranch on the other side of the Ramshorn from T-Cross. Got fully charged on Bonneville Pass Trail 4 years ago. I'm far more worried about all the lunatics carrying guns into the Winds and driving to the trailheads like maniacs, but your sentiment is shared by most.
Let me know if you'd like to dayhike the Northeast Pinnacle Butte, Austin Peak, Top of the World, Castle Rock, or anything else either side of the Divide. I live in Jackson now but get over there on occasion, still my favorite place on earth.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Jun 10, 2016 17:02:34 GMT -8
Bill, just do the hike to Titcomb Basin.
#1: Best Scenery in the Winds for an easy on-trail hike.
#2 Your Golden Grail are thick in the Titcomb Lks.
#3 Island Lk itself is a "must hit" lake for everything besides Golden's
You can also do an easy dayhike, from Island, up to the Jean Lks, the #2 best trail view in the N.Winds. Elbow Lk, a few miles past Upper Jean has your Grail as well, the largest I've caught in the Winds.
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Post by oldbill on Jun 11, 2016 9:57:58 GMT -8
Thanks Swims.
Actually that was my intro to Winds backpacking, though I didn't go beyond Island L or Big Slide. Always assumed Titcomb received so much pressure that by Sept the fish would be uncatchable. The fly shop in town said Elbow would be tough as they would still be deep and winds would really limit casting.
Probably also partially explains coming up dry at Wall last 2 years. The inlet stream was too low to bother. I did use a spinning outfit (with Jake's Money Clip) to go deep and cover water. I've been rethinking that. A fly rod might be better than bobber/fly on a spin outfit for more wind-protected lakes and streams. Usually use floating line, 9-12'5x on a 9' 6-wt. Same setup I use on the Green and Wind rivers. One of these trips I'll be able to be at the right spot at the right time with the right gear!
Probably anything we do will make a lasting impression. Looking forward to that maybe even more than finding gold.
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trinity
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Post by trinity on Jun 11, 2016 18:16:31 GMT -8
I'd like to learn how to fish for goldens myself. I fished pothole and titcomb lakes last September and came up empty, fished deep with a sinktip line and various flies. I finally caught a few babies in the streams emptying into pothole on dries. Looking forward to a rematch.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jun 14, 2016 14:17:43 GMT -8
I m no fisherman but it can be hard to get fish in high lakes to hit flies. Spin rig I've seen 'em caught on Mepps #3 and Panther Martins.
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Post by oldbill on Jun 16, 2016 10:27:51 GMT -8
Thanks to everyone for the help. Probably will carry a spinning outfit after all. With a clear bobber or splicing a short section of fly line, I can fish a fly when needed. Good point about the Mepps and Panther Martins. Great lures. Will use those with a single debarbed hook to go deep.
Sent nephew pictures of possible spots. He's psyched but I'm looking forward to the reaction when he sees the Winds in person.
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