NPS Photo/J. Located on the way up to the Cirque of the Towers, Dads Lake is a pristine alpine setting that offers even the least experienced backpackers the chance to test their trail legs. And the shores of Grave Lake (also pictured) have endless scenic camping spots. Home to Wyomings tallest peaks and over 100 miles of the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range is beautifully wild. The trail along the edge of the lake was a bit vague, with people trying different paths around large boulders and other obstacles, but we had no extreme difficulty. Back at camp we packed up and headed toward Cathedral Lake. The impact to your legs make this feel like 6 miles instead of 3, but the views more than make up for the effort. A wide, well-maintained trail offers great views and the ease of simply being outside. Take your time as you move up the glacier and be cautious of moving terrain. The goal of the WRRT is to traverse the entirety of the Wind River Range in the most scenic and spectacular way possible. Due to the low use of this area, a permit is not required to wilderness camp here. You wont! Thanks Luke. Theres no better way to experience the natural beauty of the state than to stay in one of Montanas yurts. Among the abundant wildlife of the Wind River Range are mosquitoes, and theyre everywhere. I hate pure out and backs. Length 9.1 miElevation gain 1,102 ftRoute type Out & back. Also, though I dont get many visitors, I have been surprised by a few emails telling me that places I didnt like were pleasant to them. Immediately by it is Twin Lakes Creek in a pretty meadow, though it was putting off tons of mosquitoes. There are 15 creek crossings along this trail! I cant describe how much I loved it. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. . (I saw it during my trip up Wind River Peak, in fact, and had a chuckle.) After rounding Cathedral Peak, this trail joins the Bear's Ears Trail, just before the latter's descent [west 1.5 miles] to Valentine Lake." The trees were the sort that have annoying branches that stab and rib at you, and post-holing crotch deep did little to improve either of our moods. Dont forget your fishing rod and flies! Its recommended for the Cirque of the Towers loop that you bring a map and compass and that you know how to use them. I have hope, however, that the Mammoth has receded enough that there is a possible non-glacier route following the southern edge of the glacier. Its the most traveled trail to the summit of Wyomings highest peak, and one of the longest trails in the area (aside from the CDT). A couple of hundred feet beyond we came to some cascades, and decided to cross back again, since there was an easy area of rocks to hop. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is truly spectacular. To reach Peak Lake, continue west down the valley after Knapsack Col. Due to the nature of the WRRT, this trip is best savored by taking your time. The 63 glaciers of the range are more than in any other range of the American Rockies and surpassed in the continuous USA only by the Washington Cascades. Shy of 5 miles we came to the weirdest littlecreek? I have crafted this route to be the boldest and most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wind Rivers. Cathedral Peak's big east-facing wall, rising above Cathedral Lake in the eastern Wind Rivers, has a long history, attracting the attention of climbers since at least 1979, when Fred Beckey and Jim Kanzler completed the route they named Orion's Reflection.NOLS courses camp nearby every year, and Wyoming hardmen like Greg Collins and Dave Anderson have passed through the area. Enjoy your time in this otherworldly wilderness Wyoming has to offer! With 130 glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes, and 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, it's no wonder the Winds have made their place on thousands of backpacker's bucket lists. Related Read:Crown Jewels: 14 Majestic Hikes in Glacier National Park. Be the first to write a review. 13 Halloween Camping Activities, The Checklist Every First Time RVer Needs, Everything You Need To Know About Wifi For Your RV, 14 Wilderness Survival Tools You Should Have in The Backcountry, How Marfa Became the Art and Glamping Capital of Texas, 30+ Tips on Camping with Kids, From Parents Who Have Been There. The crossing between lakes was filled with trout and was best accomplished closer to Cathedral Lake, which I gladly did. The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. --Lana Turner. Im going to go back with something better than 10-lb test, which just wasnt enough for the trout in Cathedral or Middle Lakes. Over time it got fished out but now is slowly getting some fish back in itI guess from no name lake just before it. The stiff climb, ascending 2,000-ft. up beautiful Pine Creek canyon, traverses aspen groves, spruce-fir forests and pretty meadows on its way to Cathedral Lake, an alpine jewel cradled in a stunning cirque of jagged granite summits and rugged ridges, anchored by Cathedral Peak (13,943-ft.). 4. It offers panoramic views and excellent backcountry camping without the heavy mileage of its longer cousin. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park The trailhead is easily accessible from Pinedale. The lower elevation of Dads Lake comes with a longer hiking season. All of the areas I missed are accessible by reasonable day hikes off the WRRT, with the exception of the Northeast corner of the Range around Ross Lakes. Dusten, we both had Verizon but neither of us got any service there. Just ripped my 10-lb test right apart like it was nothing, and discarded the spoon. Related objects are relevant to each other in some way, but they don't form a parent/child relationship. Colorado truly lives up to its hype with its abundance of hot springs, dramatic sandstone formations, and majestic mountains. Cathedral Lake, WY Latitude: 42.8213426 Longitude: -109.1445738 County: Fremont Area: Lizard Head Peak Elevation: 3034 meters - 9954 feet This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images The Cathedral Lake is located in Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. As you hike out from Faler Lake, theres a steep section to get back down to the Roaring Fork Basin, but then its all downhill from there! Fly fishing is a very popular activity for overnighters of Dads Lake. There was a lush, green lawn leading up to the lake, but were law-abiders when possible, so we looked around the trees. The Beartooth Recreational Trail gives a hiker many . To connect with the Fremont Trail, you will have to maneuver through Texas Pass which has been traveled for years but is not a designated trail. The trail is just a quick six miles in and out; so, you can focus on enjoying the outdoors. Although, Castle Peak has a class 2 hike all the way to its summit, Cathedral Peak does not. Nestled on the foothills of the Front Range of the Rockies, Fort Collins offers plenty of great hiking opportunities close to town. We'll have 4 days so that's a pretty laid back pace but we're looking to get into an area where we can setup camp and explore and relax. Dads Lake also has the benefit of being at a slightly lower elevation than some of the classic Wind River Range backpacking trails, so seasonality can be a bit easier to handle. You can buy yours online from them at this page so that you dont have to waste time when you get into townshow up and pick up. On Lizard Head Plateau. Under most conditions, crampons are required. The Jean Lakes are a long day hike from Titcomb Basin via the Highline Trail. Length 13.3 miElevation gain 1,755 ftRoute type Out & back. Whether youre looking for a quick overnighter or a weeklong expedition, your sure to find a winner with any of these trails. The road is decent until the last mile or so, and even then it can be just fine as long as rain hasnt led to horrible bogging. You then depart from the trail due northeast, following Blair Creek to the pond at 9590. It attracts 775,000 visitors a year with its calm waters, beautiful beaches and desert weather with more than 300 sunny days a year. This is the only small section of the WRRT where these tools may be required. 2. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? There are several camping options on the Cirque trail. If you are looking at this map in the winter and it's showing that there are no driving directions available, it's likely because the road is closed. Continue west until you get to the drainage of the Knife Point Glacier, your next destination. Moderate 4.8 (5039) Grand Teton National Park. The solid granite outcroppings always put me into something of a trance, so I stared at them for a while, and then got to fishing. Prints Available Land of Falls: Stunning Waterfall Hikes in Oregon, 11 Beautiful Hikes in Washingtons Alpine Lakes Wilderness, 12 Best Hiking Trails Near Scottsdale, Arizona. Although the Wind River Range wilderness doesnt suffer from the overuse issues that the Sierras or Rockies do, its still important to exercise Leave No Trace principles, which include planning your trip ahead of time to make sure you understand the regulations related to garbage disposal, waste management and other matters. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. The possibilities of creating a loop from Summit Lake are endless. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. According to Pallister, the safest way down is on the Glacier, instead of traversing the surrounding cliffs. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. As we set up camp and got firewood, the sunset was awesome, though I didnt manage to get many very nice photos. Your next campsite will be just under Dinwoody Glacier, at Tarns Camp. says Kelsey. Considering taking a trip with your trail pup? I know that while backpacking its typically not advised to bring so many extra clothes, but since you will be camping at high altitude and in the cold, dry layers are necessary to prevent hypothermia. This article on Wind River Range backpacking is brought to you by Gregory, whose lightweight backpack line is made from durable, rip-stop materials on an ultra-lightweight, durable aluminum frame. Trailhead: Cathedral Lakes One of the most famous hikes in the world, this classic trek on the John Muir Trail is popular for both its incredible scenery and generally declining elevation. Sheridan Region fisheries personnel recently sampled Long, Ringbone, Romeo, Martin, Willow #1, Willow #3, and Lame Deer lakes in the upper Clear Creek drainage of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. A lot of camping locations dont have tall trees for hanging bear bags, so bear canisters are your safest bet. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. These walls certainly contain some of the most demanding rock climbs in the lower 48 states. From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. The chapel was built to serve guests and employees of the dude ranches that stretched north of Jackson along the base of the Teton Range. About a mile from Photographers Point, you will reach Eklund Lake. No one was along this eastern area, and we couldnt see or hear anyone. Dang it! From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. Sadly, my Thermarest Trail Scout had developed a hole, so my sleep wasnt as luxurious as the previous night! View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. I dont know that this was the right choice, because the woods were thick and loaded with snow, which slowed us to a crawl. It avoids the creek whose drainage it shares in favor of sticking to the ugly pines. Distance: 11.5 miles (with plenty of walking around the lakes) Elevation Gain: 1,732 ft. Far north in the Wind Rivers, Gannett Peak is also viewable from this ridge line. Cathedral Lake Type: Lake Category: body of water Location: Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, United States, North America View on OpenStreetMap Latitude 42.8207 or 42 49' 15" north Longitude She has had the privilege of working for Colorados most experienced climbing guide service as an Office & Marketing Manager and an Outdoor Climbing Guide. The place is catalogued as Lake by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and its elevation above sea level is equal to 9954ft. Experience this unique and remote high-elevation backcountry paradise by booking a ride with Cathedral Lakes Lodge up the 16 km (10 mi) private road. The lake itself was spectacular. Although it gets spotty between Deep Lake and Clear Lake, you can't really get lost; just head north down the granite slabs to the east end of Clear Lake. After we were both bathed, we soaked up the campfire heat and I got pictures of the night sky. We had to go around one section of road when we were there, as it was completely trashed out, but USFS vehicle we saw did the same, as well as all the others. From the Upper Basin, about 1.5 miles past the north-most lake, ascend west to Knapsack Col. From the Col, travel west while staying above (north) of the Peak Lake drainage. In short, plan to get wet. This trail can also be done in a shorter out-and-back fashion by just taking the Cirque of the Towers Trail to the Cirque before heading back, shaving the total mileage down to 18 miles. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. We reached Mendarrin 2 hours after leaving camp, which was far too long for the distance. Nights will be cold year-round, sometimes reaching freezing temperatures even in the summer months. Fremont County, Wyoming, U.S. Parent range. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. Cathedral Peak is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) southwest of Mount Chauvenet in the Popo Agie Wilderness of Shoshone National Forest. Ive read multiple reviews online about people receiving tickets and thinking that certain areas were illegal to camp in. We were fine with that, pun intended, and felt that the low-lying nature of Cathedral Lake would be good for hiking so early in the season when so much snow is still present. Being in the wild is dope, and so is keeping it clean for future generations. A map and compass are necessary while on this trail since route-finding can be difficult over rocks and snow. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. Date Hiked: November 16, 2019 Getting to the Trailhead Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. I got home past midnight and worked the next day. I need to spend more time on the Eastern side of the Winds, but wont be able to for some time as my daughter is still too young for the mileage required in my limited time off, at least with the drive from my home. From Coon Lake, you go around the south shore, and walk to a small pond just west of the lake, perched above cliffs. But it was worth it. From Little Sandy Creek, You then continue to Temple Pass. If you are not accustomed to being at higher elevation for extended periods of time, take it easy and learn to recognize signs of altitude sickness. Mileage: 23-24 miles RT I saw maybe five people on my way to the Cirque from the Big Sandy Lake (Big Sandy Trailhead to Big Sandy Lake is a different story). Day 1 totals: 6.4 miles, +1392/-783, 9296 min/9600 avg/9995 max. Cathedral Peak is one of the Colorado Centennial 13ers meaning it's one of the highest 100 ranked peaks in Colorado. Head out on this 9.1-mile out-and-back trail near Moose, Wyoming. You end up where Palister calls "Shangri-La." This trail is also known as High Meadow Trail 712 and takes one to another trail that goes to High Meadow and Cliff Lakes. Titcomb Basin, along with the Cirque of the Towers area, may be the only sections where you will see more than a small handful of people. It then bolted uptrail. The Bear's Ears Trail continues down the stream's west bank (headed north) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake. Remember to Leave No Trace, come prepared, and have fun! This article was brought to you by Gregory. (1), Comments Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet over 13 miles 9,100 ft to 11,500 ft). The Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. The incline is gradual the whole way, and the way back to the trailhead is a smooth descent as well. However, for the most scenic, most direct and aesthetic route, walk on trail down Indian Basin and to Upper Titcomb Basin. We made our way back down the outlet looking for a use trail, but there was just far too much snow on the ground, so we did a bunch of slipping and sliding. There were plenty of outfitter-style places to camp for some reason, as you can see in the picture above. They are beautiful and bring back a lot of memories. Less than 35 miles. At 8:30, we found ourselves camping closer to the water than Id like, but snowpack in the trees left us no choice. Cathedral Lake Middle Lake Brookie Snake River Cut from the North Fork Popo Agie Me and Sweetie trying to stay dry. Not really. Mileage: 12 miles RT Some of the easiest hiking trails in the Winds with some of the best scenery (even if theyre saying otherwise). That said, please follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 200 feet away from any water sources and trails. You'll pass no fewer than 100 large lakes (and innumerable small tarns), pass or traverse dozens of notable peaks, and see the largest glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. From Hay Pass, drop south past the east of Dennis Lake, and past the west shores of Golden Lake, Lake Louise, and finally Upper Golden Lake. Day 1: Sweetwater Gap Guardstation to Windy Lake, 7 miles, Day 5: Grave Lake, 12 miles (all on-trail), Day 6: Visit Babtiste Lake, camp at upper Grave cirque, 7 miles, Day 7: Sonnicant Lake via Roberts Mountain route, 6 miles, Day 10: Explore lakes south of Brown Cliffs, camp at one of them, 6 miles, Day 11: "Shangri-La" via the "Goat-Friendly High Route," 7 miles, Day 12: Day hike to "Glacier View" and down to the North Fork Bull Lake Creek, 6 miles, Day 13: From "Shangri-La" to Upper Titcomb Basin (over Indian Pass), 9 miles, Day 14: Scott Lake (CRUX OF ROUTE), 9 miles, Day 18: Out via Osbourne Mountain Route, 9 miles, + 2 days for weather-related "stay-put" days, "A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. It was at this area that we crossed over since it seemed easier, and wed still found no trail on our side. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 45 min to complete. Dan, thank you. Continue north past the west side of Lake 11085 and weave your way through the multitude of lakes north and east of Mount Solitude. Trip Type: Out-and-back The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. Eklund Lake sees very few visitors since most groups continue on to Seneca Lake, so camping here is ideal if you are looking for solitude. Ben, thank you for visiting this page. Started off MUCH worse got much better now is reverting to a seldom used trail. But what does that really mean? After that, its all downhill. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. This trail is typically tackled between three to four days. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. It is unfortunately missed by most traverses of the range. Glacier Trail hides Gannett Peak until you are 18.5 miles into this amazing wilderness. As far as camping, it sounds like you could potentially camp anywhere along this section. Joe Kelsey says the following of this area, "Hall's Lake sits at 10,602 feet in the midst of a large area decreed trailless by the Forest Service. mcnerney Administrator Messages 20,633 Reaction score 277 Location Pinedale, WY Aug 25, 2014 #2 Looks like another great trip into the Winds, thanks for sharing. Among the best ways to explore the Wind River Range is to travel one of the spectacular trails through the region. Widely considered the best trail for seeing the wide range of geography and terrain in the range, Titcomb Basin is a 30-mile round-trip trek that offers panoramic views, campsites at alpine lakes and a possible visit to the highest point in the state of Wyoming, Gannett Peak. This trail is well traveled by CDT thru-hikers, and well maintained. We took the same trail out that we took in, and spent only 7 hours from packing up to getting to the trailhead. Go south up the glacier to the top of Indian Pass. Be sure to check area regulations prior to setting out, as campfires and campsites are restricted throughout the basin to help protect the wilderness area. The trail is lined with nonstop mountain views, and treats hikers to the peaceful sounds of an echoing creek as it meanders through the valley. Below are the license costs, though you are obliged to add a special, annual recreation stamp ($10) to each of the below prices, with no exceptions: We got ours at the Wild Iris. Our feet were really dang numbed by the experience, though. From Tarns Camp to the peak of Gannett, you will be climbing for three miles. The Cirque of the Towers is a popular destination for climbers, anglers, and backpackers alike. I would love to return to this lake at a later time, because its truly quite gorgeous, though Cloverleaf was nothing to sneeze at, either! I have taken backpacking trips to the Cirque of the Towers and Temple Lake area, as well as the Titcomb Basin area; however, I have not completed the WRRT yet. They bring back a lot of fond memories Ive been doing this trip since I was 12 and Im 76 now so have seen a lot of changes to trail. From Temple Pass, descend to the east shore of Temple Lake. I thought that the drainage proper would be hideous riparian zone, or akin to Clear Lake out of Green River Lakes, so I told mom that we should stay on our contour line. What a place to camp, huh? Backpackers should also check snowpack levels in order to determine the best time to hit the trail without encountering too much snow. Considering taking on of the Wind River classics? Heres what to know before you get out on the trail: The Wind River Range is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, bald eagles, wolverines and grizzly bears, making it an incredible location for viewing rarely seen animals in their natural habitat.