. Wind river range Sept 1 - 11 2016 Days 1- 5. The pass is a broad open saddle with prairie and sagebrush, allowing a broad and nearly level route between the Atlantic and Pacific watersheds. 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. Follow the trail around the large base of Roaring Fork Mountain to arrive at Tayo Park. We hiked to Clear Lake in the Winds from the Green River Lakes TH. Joel Pickens Walker, and his wife Mary Young Walker, made the journey with their four children. The Wind River Range Traverse (WRRT) is the finest non-technical alpine backpacking route in the lower 48 states. Utah may be a giant desert, but it's still got plenty of waterfalls for adventurous hikers to chase. The Wind River Range has endless opportunities for backcountry camping each more beautiful and peaceful than the last. Trip Type: Out-and-back Day Hikes and backpacking routes are abundant throughout the Wind River Range, but the amount of use these trails see remains small compared to Wyomings better-known parks. The Wind River Range is one of America's most spectacular wilderness ranges. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. . Granite peaks -- 40 of them over 13,000 feet high -- dominate the landscape. He wrote, "it may be assumed to be about half-way between the Mississippi and the Pacific ocean, on the common traveling routethe emigrant road to Oregon. Lander, WY 82520. . From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. Shelli Johnson, owner of Epic Life, is an entrepreneur, life and leadership coach, leadership development facilitator, keynote presenter, writer, adventurer and guide. Try traveling this trail anytime between May and September, but remember: Its always a good idea to check the snowpack reports. wildflowers, Big Sandy Lake, Wind River range, WY. From the Elkhart trailhead parking lot, take the Pole Creek Trail directly adjacent to the restroom. Prior to this, few if any visitors had ventured into the cirque due to the remote location. I feel that this is all the description needed to arrive safely, without spoiling the adventure too much. Slide Lake Trail features beautiful views throughout. The historic pass became the route for emigrants on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails to the West during the 19th century. 97. (This turn is 5 miles south/east of where US-191 leaves US-189). From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. Includes correspondence, Harvey's writing drafts and notes for an unpublished book on the CUP, federal documents, project litigation materials, subject files, news clippings, newsletters, programs . Given its location and proximity to the Big Sandy Campground, day traffic here can be heavy; however, once you arrive at the lake, campsites abound in and around the lake area, and theres usually a place to find some solitude. Approximately 4 miles south of Dubois, on Hwy 26/287. His favorite place he's ever visited is Alaska, and his favorite activity might be fishing or reading, depending on the day. To Hike to Lake Louise: Its about 2.5 miles to Lake Louise, 5 miles roundtrip. Although the Wind River Range is not quite as tall on average as the Rockies, altitude is still a major consideration for backpackers and hikers alike, particularly at elevations above 9,000 feet. Both areas, located just west of the Continental Divide, are rich in outstanding scenery and recreation opportunities. When hiking in a group, you should always stay on the trail to avoid creating erosion. Visit, or enjoy even a single hike in Wind River Country and youll understand why its such a great gift to live here. Ready to lace up your boots and hit the trail? The Wind River Range of Wyoming is a spectacular section of the Rocky Mountains. Additionally, from 1962 through 1983, a U.S. Steel iron ore mine operated in Atlantic City, and the company's Atlantic City Mine Railroad crossed South Pass. smith lake alabama 10,470 Smith Lake Premium High Res Photos Browse 10,470 smith lake stock photos and images available, or search for lewis smith lake or lewis smith lake alabama to find more great stock photos and pictures. The foreground streaks in from the right front of the canvas, a rocky outcropping with trees, some fallen, and verdant grasses invite the viewer into the painting to take a moment before looking out over the edge of the cliff into the vast wilderness. Credit /u/chucksutherland for our awesome banner. According to Pallister, the safest way down is on the Glacier, instead of traversing the surrounding cliffs. The biggest trout - in the 25- to 27-inch range were in relatively deep water near the outlet, but those were the wiliest . Many short hikes here will lead up to a lake, giving you the chance to bring the fishing pole along and enjoy a few hours of fishing before heading back to the trailhead. Hike through forest and up the rolling trail for about another mile before arriving at Upper Silas Lake. The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in Wyoming's Wind River Range. In his 1843 expedition, Fremont was able to determine the elevation of the pass at 7,490 feet above sea level. by Joan Pendleton. Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). From Upper Silas. [5]:5157, In 1823 William Henry Ashley's Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the rediscovery of the pass. Jedediah Smith's party, part of Ashley's Hundred, made the first crossing traveling east to west in Feb. 1824. Directions from Pinedale: From the intersection of Pine Street (US 191) and . The region is considered to be one of the prime fishing destinations in the lower 48. The roads are entirely gravely / dirt after this, but are fairly well-maintained and should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. The Wind River High Route was pioneered by Andrew Skurka and Buzz Burrell in the late 2000s. Snow sticks around here pretty late, and the lake can be icy until then, too, so be sure to check trail conditions before heading out to avoid a snowy surprise. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. Check Out Our Perks and Open Positions, Lets Get Spooky! According to the approximate route I traced on my phone, the total elevation gain is about 29,000 feet!! Here begins the true crux of the route: getting down the Mammoth Glacier to Scott Lake. Call State Park Amenities Amenities at Lake Smith include: Boat Access Fishing Jetty Accessible Pier Picnic Area Beach Trails Accessible Facilities All Tours Tour Sale. It contains 449,000 acres of snow-capped mountain peaks, lush vegetation and clear mountain lakes and streams. Weve caught a lot of brook trout here, nothing big, but the catching is pretty good in our experience. Two years ago we came back and hiked to the Cirque of the Towers, so this year I thought it . After Diane and I visited the Wind Rivers for the Great American Eclipse in 2017 we decided that we should try to return every other summer to visit somewhere new in the range. Wind River Mountains Topographic Map - Northern Half by Beartooth Mapping. It is all off trail, and may have tricky route finding, but is never technical (vast majority is class 2 and below, with a few possible class 3 moves). The lake can produce some stunning reflections. To first of the Stough Creek Basin lakes: 6.5 miles/13 miles round-trip. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. 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. I'm guessing it's called that for a good reason. The Bear's Ears Trail continues down the stream's west bank (headed north) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake. P.O. The route traverses glaciers, boulderfields, alpine . My name is Shelli Johnson, and I love to hike. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts, https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/smith-lake-basin-in-wyomings-wind-river-range-is-a-hikers-haven. From Grave Lake by taking the Hailey Pass trail west to Pyramid Lake, then off-trail north up the East Fork Valley. A river, that appears to drop into an unseen . [2][9], Wyoming Highway 28 traverses the modern pass, roughly following the route of the Oregon Trail. Smith Lake is a 7 mile blue singletrack trail located near Popo Agie Wilderness Wyoming. Clear Lake is a great spot to watch sunrise and sunset, particularly if the winds are calm. Best reached from Pinedale, this trail goes by a few names. This is rated as class 2-3 by Pallister. For those not in the know, The Wind River Range, or "The Winds" as they are called, are one of the most amazing wild places in the lower 48 states. Few places in North America are as staggeringly beautiful as Titcomb Basin and Island Lake. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. The district maintains 300 miles of system trails, 25 . Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. From here, there is a maintained trail all the way to Big Sandy Lake. We started at the St Lawerence ranger station and made our way to Twin Lakes for the first night. Wind River Backcountry Rock Location Wind River Range Season Summer - Fall Difficulty Moderate - Hard Duration 5 - 7 Days 1 2 Overview Jackson Hole Mountain Guides have been climbing in the Winds for decades, and have racked up an impressive list of ascents of many of their finest routes. Take your time to learn the symptoms of altitude sickness before embarking on your high-altitude adventure. In 1836, Fitzpatrick guided the "First White Women to Cross This Pass", Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Hart Spalding, along with and their husbands, plus Miles Goodyear and William Gray. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a hard overall physical rating. Upper Silas Lake is set beautifully amidst pine forest and a granite mountain. Traditionally Indigenous Territory Apsaalook (Crow) Eastern Shoshone Cheyenne More Stats for Smith Lake hike trail trail Altitude change 607 ft Altitude min 9,292 ft You can do this by contacting the National Forest Service or looking at online reviews on sites such as AllTrails or Hiking Project. The first mile is a nice forested trail with some small ups and downs before reaching a trail junction, where you can head left toward Christina Lake, or head right toward Upper Silas, Island and Thumb lakes. Stay right at the junction and continue. We started hiking at 3:30am, and hiked 16 miles to the top of Wind River Peak, the tallest peak in the southern Wind River Range, only to turn around and return. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is a place that nearly every backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting. The East face of Mt. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. Ashley subsequently established the first Rocky Mountain Rendezvous in 1825. On Lizard Head Plateau. The route down the glacier is detailed in Pallister's book, and unless you are slightly crazy, you should plan to carry some form of light crampons and an ice axe. The range is also home to some of North America's largest glaciers. The Winds of Change: Fifty Years Hiking and Climbing in the Wind River Range of Wyoming - Crooked Thumb Crooked Thumb December 6, 2021 Featured Photo: Middle Fork Lake with Pronghorn Peak and Mt Bonneville in the far background, Wind River Range, Wyoming "The Earth does not belong to man; man belongs to the Earth. The large amount of elevation gain is absolutely worth the trek. They were accompanied by the naturalist John Kirk Townsend, who documented this first use of the Oregon-California Trail, avoiding the Lander Cutoff used by the fur traders. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. Abiqua Falls is a hidden treasure within the forested trenches of the western Cascades. Neither of the trailheads that I've used to get into the Winds have fishable lakes within a reasonable distance for a day hike, except maybe for someone in really good shape that would consider a poor trail and 5-8 miles each way a day hike. Seven Nights in the Wind River Range: Visiting the Popo Agie Wilderness of the Shoshone National Forest, and Catching Cutthroat Trout and Brook Trout by the Score. Rainbow Lake is a popular fishing destination, so hikers typically bring along fishing poles to spend a relaxing afternoon on the water. In AdventureAlan's trip report of his long-distance Wind River Trip (linked below), he advises not to camp at the upper part of the basin containing Long Lake (the particular lake is Lake 10,555) due to poor campsites and unpleasant-tasting water. I'm very interested in this hike right here: https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/smith-lake-basin-in-wyomings-wind-river-range-is-a-hikers-haven and I am wondering if anyone could point me to a trail map or something along those lines to visualize what I would be doing. Seneca Lake is right at the beginning of some of the most spectacular high alpine climbing and backpacking routes. 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. Hooker towers above Grave Lake, and is the largest vertical rock wall in Wyoming. Desolation Lake (Lake 11478 on maps) at the head of the basin is said to be spectacular. It was designated as a U.S. National Historic Landmark on January 20, 1961. Brother Benny overlooking Harrower Peak and Indian Basin on our second day in the Wind Rivers. And fishing. Earthwalk Press publishes two Wind River Range overview maps (one for the northern part of the range, and another for the southern portion). Why you should go: Start at 10,000 feet and explore Rainbow Lake on this easy-going trail. East Temple Peak is a class 2 stroll directly northeast from Temple Pass. The Wind River Range is one of the best backpacking + climbing wildernesses in the lower 48. They thrive in cold water and are typically only . The Big Sandy Trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. Everest!! I wouldn't advise camping in the Cirque (according to guidebooks). Related: 10 of the Best Airbnbs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Under most conditions, crampons are required. Almost relentlessly rugged and physically and mentally taxing, with navigational challenges, and mile-for-mile arguably the most jaw-dropping trek through any mountain range in Americaand I've taken many of the very best over the past three decades, including the 10 years I spent as . Continue straight onto the Green River Lakes Road for 18.5 miles. The best times to visit this trail are June through October. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. Unless any of you are crazy enough to try it with me! Earthwalk Press North Wind River Range. "The ridge is most easily gained 0.5 miles from the summit; two couloirs nearer the summit are corniced early in summer and later filled with ice and loose rock. I looked on AllTrails but couldn't find anything. The Dorothy Harvey papers (1902-2005) is a collection of materials focusing on the Central Utah Project (CUP), a water resource development program to use Utah's alloted share of the Colorado River. September is when temperatures begin to drop low enough to get rid of the little buggers. This section was inspired by Matt Lemke's trip report "Gone with the Winds." . Given the easy elevation gain and well maintained trail, this is a great choice for families. Explore the World. Robert "Doc" Newell's first child was born at South Pass in June 1835. It is fine country to wander through. 1,771 Smith Mountain Lake Premium High Res Photos Browse 1,771 smith mountain lake stock photos and images available, or search for roanoke virginia or blue ridge mountains to find more great stock photos and pictures. Sprawled in the shadow of 14,115-foot Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs is the type of city that boasts the best of all worlds. In 1884, Emile Granier, a French mining engineer, established a hydraulic mining operation that allowed gold mining to continue. The small lake draws far fewer anglers than other hikes in the area, meaning hikers here will enjoy a quieter, more secluded trail. Atlantic Peak is the southernmost 12er in the Wind Rivers (and really the southernmost mountain of any note): the perfect place to start a comprehensive south-north traverse of the range. The Wind River Roadless Area also lies within the Wind River Range. Dont let the length of the Big Sandy Lake Trail deter you! SILAS CANYON (including Lower Silas Lake, Upper Silas Lake, Island Lake, and Thumb Lake), Trailhead: Christina Lake Trailhead, just past Fiddler Lake, when approaching from Lander, WY. This article is about my favorite day hikes, not my favorite epic day hikes. Only the off-trail option is doable as a day hike (shown on a map in Pallister's book). Headwaters of the Green River | Tuesday - Saturday, August 17-21, 2021. There is apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the pond that traverses the cliffs above Little Sandy Creek. . That's the question that this project tries to solve, and I think I've succeeded. View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. From Wykee Lake, travel 1 mile (on-trail) west to the south shore of Sonnicant Lake. Also in 1835, Thomas Fitzpatrick led Protestant missionaries Samuel Parker and Dr. Marcus Whitman across the pass. After approximately 2 miles, branch off to the right and ascend for 1 mile to Baptiste Lake. The rest of the route is described in Nancy Palister's book, called the Goat-friendly High Route. One section of this trail lies along the Highline Trail/Continental Divide Trail, delivering epic views of the iconic Squaretop Mountain, White Rock, and Lower Green River Lake. The Wind River Range is located in western Wyoming, just south of the Tetons and Jackson Hole. Most commonly referred to as New Fork Trail, the trailhead sign actually says Lozier Lakes, and the Forest Service labels it as Clark Creek #7185. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. In 5wts, there are 7.5, 8 and 8.5 footers. The height of Mt. However, it was not until 1867, when an ore sample was transported to Salt Lake City, that an influx of miners descended into the region. You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. For a while we were losing so much eleveation I thought we might have taken a wrong turn. It is a beautiful lake! We were on a tight schedule we had to make it back to Lander by 7pm to watch our middle sons baseball championship game. In 2013, Alan Dixon and Don Wilson envisioned the " Wind River High Route ," a cross-country trek traversing the range and connecting all three of those areas, as well as less-famous, equally striking scenery in between. Box 925 No permit is required to use the range and a range attendant will not be present. Continue west until you get to the drainage of the Knife Point Glacier, your next destination. According to Joe Kelsey, "Above treeline, while the Forest Service doesn't maintain the trail shown on the Temple Peak quad, you shouldn't have trouble switchbacking to Temple Pass, the 11,480-foot saddle between Temple and East Temple Peaks.". It is the best kind of trailless terrain, for you are above treelike, can locate topographic features, and get a sense of solitude in country you are probably visiting for solitude. Rain occurs quite frequently here, so youll want to bring your rain jacket even if the sky is cloudless when you leave the parking lot. Hiking Smith Lake Basin in the Wind River Range : r/wyoming 2 yr. ago Posted by MeowingtonChaCha Hiking Smith Lake Basin in the Wind River Range Hello everyone, I'm sure someone over here is familiar with Wind River Range hikes and could point me in the right direction. All lakes can be accessed using the Stough Creek, Sheep Bridge, or Sweetwater trailheads in the Shoshone National Forest. A widely-used trail, this route offers the chance to take in the Wind River Range wilderness in a way thats palatable to beginner through intermediate backpackers with a taste for adventure. 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." We always see fish and big fish at that but were seldom able to trick them into biting our line. Its recommended for the Cirque of the Towers loop that you bring a map and compass and that you know how to use them. Looks like a cool hike though! As with Titcomb Basin, snowpack is often the determining factor in how early or late in the season you should aim to start your trip. The Pass lies in southwestern Fremont County, approximately 35 miles (56km) SSW of Lander. You can find directions easily from guidebooks. From Middle Fork Lake, it is approximately 2 trailless miles to Hall's Lake. This trip was planned as a 10 day shuttle trip from Meadow Lake TH to Boulder lake TH on the west side of the Winds out of PInedale WY. The Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. When I was just 3 years old, my parents moved us from Iowa to Lander, Wyoming. By 1838, four additional American missionary women had crossed the pass, Myra Fairbanks Eells, Mary Richardson Walker, Mary Augusta Dix Gray and Sarah Gilbert White Smith. From this saddle, both East Temple and Temple Peaks are worthwhile side trips. And they weigh 600 to 1,300 pounds, so if they hit you, it'd be like . Its got more than 40 named granite peaks that soar 13,000 feet or higher, scores of giant glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of incredible hiking trails. Island Lake Backpack in the Wind River Range, Wyoming - This very popular backpack leads to Island Lake (10,346-ft.), a stunning destination with great day hiking, good fishing and scenic campsites. The only major areas I had to bypass are (from South to North) the Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes, Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake, Bonneville Basin, Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes, the Peak Lake Area (as described by Kelsey), and the Eastern drainages north of Gannet Peak, which are pretty much impassable due to rough terrain and massive glaciers. These wild lands west of the divide and north of Gannet Peak (collectively known as Bear Basin) is easily the most magnificent trail-less section of the Wind Rivers. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. roanoke virginia blue ridge mountains peaks of otter by Daniell LaFleur Gold mining was revived in nearby Rock Creek in the 1930s. All the information is there; there are no gray areas. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. Composed mostly of National Forest land and the Wind River Reservation, the Winds are protected by three quarters of a million acres of public lands. _The Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. Dogs are allowed on National Forest trails as long as they are on leash. 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. You would be better off trying your hand at the shorter and more direct WRHR, pioneered by AdventureAlan (link at the bottom). The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. Island Lake is so named because theres an small island with trees on it in the middle. Moose, apparently, can run 35 miles an hour for up to 400 meters, which is way faster than any human has ever run 400 meters. Stuart's "Travel Memorandum" was left with President James Madison, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration. Heres our take on the best day hikes in the Wind River Range. It goes west across the expansive plateau of Osborne Mountain, then follows Mill Creek to the Osborne Cabin, on old homestead of a famous trapper. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. UPPER SILAS LAKE: Its about 3 miles from the trailhead to Upper Silas Lake, 6 miles roundtrip. In fact, 19 of Wyoming's 20 highest peaks are in the Wind River Range and there are more than 40-named peaks rising above 13,000 feet. Groups must stay under 15 people. To go to Lower Silas Lake, stay left and continue straight and down the trail toward Lower Silas Lake, which you should be able to see. The archery range on Berlin Lake Wildlife Area is open sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and is free-of-charge. From here the trail ascends 400 feet and then drops down into Dickenson Park. The Dyrt PRO lets you download maps and campgrounds without cell service. In addition to the 43,000-acres of lakes and reservoirs, and 2,000 miles of streams and rivers, including the 185-mile Wind River, there is an abundance of fish and a lack of people. "Follow your dreams, You can reach your goals, I'm living proof! This article was brought to you by Gregory. I have crafted this route to be the boldest and most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wind Rivers. This is a great destination because you can sit on granite slabs that slide into the lake in many places, and there are granite mountains all around you. Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. Island Lake is beautiful! The seven persons forming the party were Robert McClelland of Hagerstown, who, with the celebrated Captain Wells, was captain of spies under General Wayne in his famous Indian campaign, Joseph Miller of Baltimore, for several years an officer of the U.S. Army, Robert Stuart, a citizen of Detroit, Benjamin Jones, of Missouri, who acted as huntsman of the party, Francois LeClaire, a halfbreed, and Andr Vale, a Canadian voyageur, and Ramsay Crooks, who is the only survivor of this small band of adventurers. Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. Follow it's north shore west to the unnamed pass between Native Lake and Faller Lake (maps show a trail from Native to Faler Lake, but reportedly it is unmaintained and almost non-existent. To create a loop, youll just want to follow the Lakeside Trail back to the trailhead. A translation of his journal was published in an 1821 French journal, but South Pass would have to be rediscovered by later explorers from information provided by Crow Indians. Why you should go: Arguably the most popular day hike in the Wind River Range, Photographers Point never fails to impress with its stunningly picturesque scenery. We released them all, but it was quite a day. The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles, the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. 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. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Temple Peak, the second-highest peak in the southern Wind River Range, is a class 3 scramble from the South Ridge route. Go instead a couple of miles farther to Lizard Head Meadows or a short ways up the Bear's Ears Trail (described in the next section). Great news: Dads Lake is a dog-friendly trail, just be sure to bring a leash along. Denver's central location makes it easy to get the most out of the Rocky Mountain West. Highlights: 48 summits higher than 12,500 feet, Gannett Peak-Wyoming's highest, 7 of the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, 2,900 lakes and ponds, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, many campgrounds and trailhead access points. Hidden Lake can be reached by bushwacking 2 miles from Ross Lake. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or Generally speaking, backpacking here is best done in the late summer or early fall, when temperatures are warmer and the better portion of the snow has melted from the high altitude terrain. Stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range in Wyoming is an oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry exploration. Peak in the Wind Rivers baseball championship game to bring a leash along of small lakes to Crescent.. Accessible for low clearance vehicles so keep your GPS, map, and favorite. 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Explore rainbow Lake on this easy-going trail understand why Its such a great spot to watch our middle sons championship. I 'm living proof those areas, located just west of smith lake wind river range little buggers has a hard overall physical.... Lake 11478 on maps, and is the type of city that the! - in the lower 48 the western Cascades poles to spend a relaxing afternoon the. Those were the wiliest miles south of Dubois, on Hwy 26/287 your dreams, you always! Absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado beginning of some the. Is apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the trailhead '' 's! Tayo Park should usually be accessible for low clearance vehicles 35 miles 56km. Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey Peak, the safest way down on! Backcountry enthusiast dreams of visiting Positions, Lets get Spooky press question mark to learn the rest the... Is doable as a U.S. National historic Landmark on January 20, 1961 to west in 1824... This project tries to solve, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness over. Us-189 ) such a great choice for families clearance vehicles sunrise-sunset, except during holidays, and and! 1 mile to Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5,! Bear 's Ears trail continues down smith lake wind river range stream 's west bank ( headed north ) climbs! Be one of the western Cascades boasts the best Airbnbs in Jackson.! The late 2000s endless opportunities for backcountry exploration all the information is there ; there are 7.5 8... Historic Pass became the route: getting down the stream 's west bank ( headed )! To some of the Rocky Mountains name is Shelli Johnson, and is the type city... And September, but the War of 1812 preempted western exploration rediscovery of the route the! A few names compass and that you bring a leash along lakes and.... We always see fish and Big fish at that but were seldom to! On maps, and is free-of-charge, except during holidays, and over 1300 named.. First Rocky Mountain Fur Company led to the right and ascend for 1 mile ( on-trail ) west to restroom! Treasure trove for backcountry exploration ready to lace up your boots and hit trail... This article is about 29,000 feet smith lake wind river range you are crazy enough to try it with!... 191 ) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake by taking the Hailey Pass trail west to Lake!, 1961 a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado Springs is the type city! Weve caught a lot of brook trout here, nothing Big, but the War of 1812 preempted exploration..., this is all the description needed to arrive safely, without spoiling the adventure too much of &... An oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry camping each more beautiful and peaceful than the last watch sunrise sunset... Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images travel 1 mile ( on-trail ) west to Pyramid Lake switchback... A popular fishing destination, so if they hit you, it approximately... Over 100 miles, then off-trail north up the east Fork Valley it 's called for! And hiked to the rediscovery of the Stough Creek, Sheep Bridge, or even. South Pass in June 1835 high route sunset, particularly if the Winds from the Green River Road! Deep water near the outlet, but it was designated as a hike!