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Post by scoonie on Jul 6, 2016 15:49:34 GMT -8
Hey, everyone. I thought I'd stop by and say hello. My name is Jesse from Iowa....I'm obviously new to the forum. I was looking to get some information on hiking in the Wind River Range. My buddy and I are going to make the trip in early September and looking to do a 3-4 day hike to check out the Cirque of towers and other spots in that area. We are total backpacking newbs and want to keep the hike as simple as possible and to get as much information as we can from routes to take to what we should travel with. If anyone could help that would be great!
-Jesse
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2016 16:02:19 GMT -8
Best thing to do is ask your questions in the Mountain States forum. There is plenty of experience there to give you suggestions. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2016 18:21:57 GMT -8
Jesse,
With your limited time in mind I would recommend camping at least one night just below Lonesome Lake where the camping zone begins. Get up early in the morning at first light to get awesome pictures of the Cirque. There is a good reflection in the lake around midmorning. I really enjoyed day hiking up to Skunk Knob and up to Texas Pass to get an up close view of Pingora. We had no success in fishing Big Sandy or Lonesome Lakes. If you could spare more time I would recommend trying to form a loop back to Big Sandy. If not, keep your packs as light as possible. We had nearly 50 lbs going over Jackass Pass and it took us 3 hours from Big Sandy Lake. This was in 2011 and I would never pack so heavy now. Let me know if you need any info on how to pack lightly. The trail up Jackass Pass is hard to follow in certain areas but nothing too alarming even for newbies.
Going in early September is good. Mosquitos should be almost gone. That area of the Winds is particularly windy. Lastly, pray for good weather. The cirques can be socked in with clouds for an extended period of time and since you only have a day or 2 there that is risky.
Happy trip planning...that's part of the fun.
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Post by scoonie on Jul 7, 2016 6:06:02 GMT -8
River,
We have 3-4 days to hike. I would like to do the easiest loop route possible since neither of us have much trail experience. We 3-4 days we should have plenty of time to make the hike with time to soak in the views and take some photos and fish again correct? Thanks for the info.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2016 16:34:45 GMT -8
The shortest loop would require going over Texas Pass on a non-maintained trail. I have only walked up from the cirque side and not sure how easy it would be for newbies to conquer with packs. However, it would really add adventure to your trip. You could hike the first day to Big Sandy Lake and camp there. On the second day, hike to Lonesome Lake and scout out the way up to Texas Pass to see if that is something you are willing to try. If so, go over the pass the 3rd day and camp the 3rd night at Shadow Lake and then hike out back to Big Sandy for the last day. All other loops would require much more time than you have or require long hiking days. A lot of hikers use Lizard Head Trail and Washakie Pass as a loop. The year I hiked there, we did Lizard Head to Grave Lake and Hailey Pass however we had 6 days.
Another option would be that after exploring the Cirques to hike back to Big Sandy Lake and explore Clear Lake and Deep Lake areas. I have heard that fishing is better in Clear Lake and Black Joe Lakes.
You could do a search on youtube to see some videos on Texas Pass in the Wind River. That may help get an idea of what conditions you would face.
I also first experienced western backpacking for the first time in the Winds. It is a great place.
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Post by scoonie on Jul 8, 2016 9:59:55 GMT -8
So Clear lake and Black Joe lake are another direction from Big Sandy lake then then Cirques I take it? I'd have to look at a map but that sounds pretty good. Would that make a pretty good 3 day? Like I said we would like some relaxation time and fishing time.
Thanks!
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Post by absarokanaut on Jul 8, 2016 13:00:22 GMT -8
If you have 4 full days to hike why not the Teton Crest? A lot better/safer option for the less experienced. If you think it will be more crowded than most places in the Winds you need to think again
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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 16:19:23 GMT -8
Jesse-
Yes, Clear Lake and Black Joe Lakes are on the other side of Big Sandy Lake. If your after awesome views, fishing, and relaxation, then head on over Jackass Pass and soak in all the views and explore there. After that, head on back to Clear and Black Joe Lakes and fish before heading out.
Absarokanaut is right about the Teton Crest trail. That is also another awesome option. Permit availability is likely a problem but there are ways to camp outside of the park boundaries. See other posts for this. I was fortunate to hike the Teton Crest Trail last year and it is a must do.
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Post by scoonie on Jul 9, 2016 3:41:11 GMT -8
Tell me a little more about the Teton Crest trail...What makes it safer? Maintained trail and established campsites or what? Also, are fires allowed on the crest trail? What's bear activity like compared to the southern Winds? Thanks a ton for the info guys!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 5:50:28 GMT -8
The only thing that would make the Teton Crest trail safer than the cirques would be the crossing of Texas Pass portion but if you are not doing that then both are similar. More likely to have grizzlies in the Tetons. Black bears are in both areas. Camp fires are not allowed in the Tetons but is allowed in the Winds unless there is a very high forest fire danger. Much less regulations in the Winds since it is a national forest. Can't go wrong with either.
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Post by scoonie on Jul 9, 2016 13:06:10 GMT -8
Ohhh from what I gathered there was not fires aloud in the Winds. Hope you are correct. Would Texas pass be highly not recommended for a new back packer? I'd love to do that loop but definitely don't want to get in over our heads.
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Post by swimswithtrout on Jul 10, 2016 15:36:58 GMT -8
Fires are allowed in the Wind's, in some places, but it's still best practice to do without. Texas Pass is a beatch, even for an experienced BP'r, so don't even try it. An in/ out trip to a base camp at Big Sandy Lk with a day spent hiking to the Cirque and a day spent up Deep Lk is the easiest trip you can do in the Winds.
The next step up from that, and what I would highly recommend over that option, is the hike in/out to Island Lk.
This is a short slide show I put together a few years ago chronicling nearly 30 yrs of Bp'ng in the Wind's. The "cover shot" for the video is 1/2 mile above Island Lk. in the Titcomb Gorge, the heart of the Wind's.
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Post by scoonie on Jul 12, 2016 14:21:01 GMT -8
Swim, I sent you a pvt msg. Hopefully you can get to it when you have time. Thanks for the info!
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