Lake Hopping in the Wind River Range, Wyoming

The Trip

"I think the best inspired painter that ever drew would fail in attempting to describe these mighty mountains. He may convey correctly enough an impression of their shape, their vast extent and sublime beauty. But there is something always left out which escapes all his colours and all his skill. Their aspects shift and vary continually. Their very shapes seem to undergo a perpetual transformation like the clouds above them. There is a mystery like the mystery of the sea -- a silence not of death but of eternity." - James Chisholm

The Wind River Range extends for more than 100 miles with the crest forming part of the Continental Divide. Granite peaks -- 40 of them over 13,000 feet high -- dominate the landscape. Glaciers have left their mark in the form of U-shaped valleys, serrated peaks and ridges, and alpine cirques. In fact, seven of the 10 largest glaciers in the Lower 48 are in the range. More than 1,000 lakes are sprinkled across the land, providing some of the finest backcountry fishing in the country. Native people inhabited these lands for over 9,000 years. The Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho tribes have established settlements and cultures in the Winds. In the early- to mid-1800s, mountain men such as Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Tom “Broken Hand” Fitzpatrick, and others trapped beaver and other fur bearing animals for trade; the famous Green River Rendezvous was held nearby. The Bridger and Fitzpatrick wilderness areas cover much of Winds.

This adventure begins at the New Fork Lakes trailhead. The route passes from one wonderful scene to the next, winding its way through rock-strewn, glacier-carved meadows surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The trail has one dazzling lake after another, high tundra meadows, and magnificent mountain views. We will follow a loop, camping at various lakes for most nights. 

Pre-Trip: We will meet Sunday in Pinedale at 5 p.m. for introductions, a trip briefing and distribution of group gear and food. Anyone who wishes can join us for dinner afterward at a local restaurant (at your own cost).

Day 1: We meet early Monday morning in Pinedale for a ride to the New Fork Lakes Trailhead at 7,800 feet. Climbing through meadows and trees up to near New Fork Park, we'll hike about 8 miles and camp along a river at 8,900 feet. (About the New Fork Trail, Adkinson writes “This trail surveys the spectrum of Bridger Wilderness landscapes, passing low-elevation glacial lakes, aspen groves, sagebrush-clad slopes, towering granite walls, timberline lakes, and alpine meadows and offering grand vistas of the range’s highest, glacier-draped peaks.”)

Day 2: The New Fork trail continues for about 4 miles to camp at the Lozier Lakes, located at 10,700 feet. 

Day 3: Today we again hoist full backpacks for a day of on-trail hiking. After covering 7 miles on-trail, we’ll come to our next home beside a beautiful alpine lake nestled in a large meadow.

Day 4: We will start looping back and start descending from the high alpine for a little over 8 miles to camp back in forest. We will cross large mountain meadows and see wonderful views of the towering and jagged spine of the Winds.

Day 5: On our last day, we continue on the trail until we junction with the Lowline Trail, and then the New Fork Trail, which we will follow back to our cars. Distance today will be about 6 miles. 

Wilderness travel can go as planned or unforeseen conditions or circumstances can necessitate a change in plans, so please bring a flexible attitude with you on the trip.

If you want to extend your experience in the Wind River Range, please see Trip #22141A, which starts a week after this one.

Getting There

Pinedale is at 7,000 feet, our beginning trailhead is at 7,800 feet, and our first camp is at 8,800 feet. Arriving a day or two before the trip will help you acclimatize. The nearest airport is Jackson, Wyoming, about 85 miles and a two-hour drive from Pinedale. Salt Lake City, Utah, with more flights at lower cost, is about 250 miles and a four- to five-hour drive. In either case, a rental car is necessary. Ride sharing is strongly encouraged, and a roster of trip members with their travel plans, driving directions, and a list of local accommodations will be sent well enough ahead of time to facilitate this.

We will have an optional meeting at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, the day before the official start of the trip to have an orientation, review packing suggestions, and eat dinner (buy your own) at a local restaurant. If you will not be at this optional meeting, please text or email the leaders to let them know when you will arrive in Pinedale. The outing begins at 8 a.m. on day 1 (Monday) after breakfast in Pinedale (location to be specified later). We will drive from here to the trailhead at New Fork Lakes. We finish the trip five days later; participants should not book return flights until the day following the end of the trip.

Accommodations and Food

The trip price includes all meals from lunch on day one through lunch on the day five, as well as use of group camping gear. We will prepare simple, lightweight, easy-to-prepare, good-tasting meals from dried and freeze-dried ingredients, using recipes tested on previous Sierra Club trips. Vegetarian options are possible. Any food allergies or limitations must be indicated to the leader as far in advance of the trip as possible. Participants will share cooking and clean-up activities with guidance as necessary from the trip staff. Trail snacks and hot drinks (hot water available at breakfast and dinner) are not included; we’ve found that both of these (preferences and amounts) are distinctly individualistic, so we leave it up to the participants to provide their own. Bear canisters will be used, and all personal snacks, etc. can be no more than a one-quart Ziploc bag.

Accommodations in Pinedale are not included in the trip. Pinedale has numerous motels; the leaders can provide information and recommendations.

Trip Difficulty

This trip is rated 4 (moderate/strenuous). The total distance is about 33 miles. Expect daily hiking distances of 4-8 miles with up to 2,400 feet of elevation gain. Most of our route will be above 10,000 feet, with our highest camp around 10,800 feet. Backpacking at elevation will also seem more tiring until you are acclimatized, so arriving a couple of days early to get in some hikes before our trip begins will be especially helpful. In addition, afternoon thunderstorms, all-day rain, and even snow can occur anytime in the Winds so good-quality raingear is essential. There are few bridges over streams but they are easily crossed; high elevation tundra and meadows may be soggy bogs, so you may get wet boots. You will need to sustain a program of physical conditioning to carry a 40-pound pack under these conditions and the leader will provide suggestions for this. You will need to be in good physical condition to carry 20-25 pounds of your own gear plus up to about 10-11 pounds of group food and commissary. Proper preparation will enhance your wilderness experience as well as being considerate of your fellow hikers.

This is a group trip whose success relies upon the cheerful, active contribution and ‘good humor’ of all participants. You will assist with cooking, cleaning, sanitation, camp set up and break down. We will be following a Leave No Trace ethic in all aspects of our journey.

August in the Winds can be quite pleasant with highs in the 70s and lows in the 30s, but be prepared for extremes and the infamous pesky Wind River mosquitoes. In addition, afternoon thunderstorms, all-day rain, and even snow can occur anytime in the Winds so good quality rain gear is a must. Hiking poles are strongly recommended for stream crossings and rough, steep, boulder-strewn terrain.

Mountain conditions are always unpredictable and the Wind River Range is no exception. Our itinerary is tentative and subject to change depending on trail conditions, weather, and the abilities of the group. To enjoy this adventure to the fullest, come with a flexible and positive attitude and a good sense of humor. 

Equipment and Clothing

The leader will send detailed equipment recommendations to participants well in advance of the trip.

We will use bear canisters for food storage. You will be issued one loaded bear canister which when combined with your share of the other group items will bring your total share of group equipment to about 10-11 pounds at the start of the trip.

You must limit your personal gear to no more than 25 pounds with 20 pounds being ideal. Your backpack should have a capacity of at least 4,000 cubic inches (65 liters) in order to accommodate commissary and personal gear.

Cross country travel requires sturdy, durable, well-fitting backpacking boots that fit over your ankle. Leather boots in particular are better able to withstand prolonged abrasion from sharp granite, loose talus, and soaking from streams, mud, and snow.

References

Maps:

• Earthwalk Press: Hiking Map and Guide; Northern Wind River Range, WY.
• USGS 7.5-Minute Topographic Maps: New Fork Lakes; Squaretop Mountain; and Gannett Peak. Available at http://store.usgs.gov/.

The leaders will be carrying maps so they will not be necessary except for your own interest and curiosity.

Books:

• Adkison, Ron, Hiking Wyoming's Wind River Range.
• Davis, Lora, Wyoming's Continental Divide Trail.

Websites:

• Alliance for the Wild Rockies: http://www.wildrockiesalliance.org/
• The Wilderness Society: http://www.wilderness.org/
• Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/lands-air-water-wildlife

Conservation

While our trip will be in an area "permanently" protected by Congress, most of the wildlands in the West have no such legal protection. As a result, they are threatened by logging, oil and gas drilling, and off-road-vehicle use. We will have several evening discussions about public lands and the wilderness to provide you with some background on the Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act.

The Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act will give wilderness protection to 18 million acres of wildland, from the Yellowstone area up through Montana and Idaho. The bill's primary objective is to protect this land from fragmentation and thereby allow plants and wildlife to migrate between the area's five ecosystems in patterns essential to maintain biodiversity.

We will do our part to preserve wilderness by learning and practicing Leave No Trace principles.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.