Tranquil Lakes, Granite Spirals, and Endless Wildflowers of Wyoming's Wind River Range

The Trip

“May you always camp where waters run clear.

Within serene valleys of flowers and shade, where well-trod trails of friendship meet and your kindness and grace never fade.

Where solitude’s found and shared with another, a friendship is formed with a long lost soul; where dreams are all sacred, joys are all new, the world is much brighter, a future to unfold.

Where mountain tops rise and the eagle doth soar, the glaciers are eternal and the bighorns roam; where man is a visitor in his trespassing way, but the pica has made it his solitary home.

For these depths of mountains we so often yearn, yet man seldom wanders where nature controls; where man becomes lost in the midst of his dreams only God can be guide for so many lost souls.”

— Finis Mitchell ("Lord of the Winds"), 'Your Land and Mine'

Home to 45 jagged peaks over 13,000 feet and 7 of the 10 largest glaciers in the Lower 48, the Winds, as they are affectionately called, intersperse dramatic glacial bowls and cirques with more than 1,300 alpine lakes. Here you will see snowcapped granite peaks soaring into the sky; frothy cascades churning through steep canyons; golden tundra glowing in the late-evening light; cold, deep lakes full of trout; moose grazing; pikas scurrying -- all these sights and more make the Winds a favorite of backcountry enthusiasts. 

Our adventure begins weaving in and out of the woodlands and meadows of Elkhart Trailhead, offering glimpses of the spectacular mountains ahead. Following a loop, the route passes from one paradisiacal scene to the next, winding through rock-strewn, glacier-carved meadows surrounded by towering peaks. We will ascend Lester Pass, at 11,200 feet, the highest point on the Continental Divide Trail in Wyoming, for amazing views of the northern part of the Wind River Range. Although the leaders have been in the Winds many times, they have not hiked some of the trails on this trip.

Some exertion and stamina will be required to successfully complete this trip. Participants who are willing to share the exploratory spirit, positively overcome unforeseen challenges, and foster group cohesiveness will reap the greatest rewards from this experience.

Wind River Country encompasses more than 2.2 million acres and includes the Wind River Range, which is located in the traditional territory of the Eastern Shoshone and the Northern Arapaho peoples.

Day 1: We will meet early morning in Pinedale, Wyoming and caravan to Elkhart Trailhead. Elkhart Trailhead is the highest Wind River trailhead at 9,350 feet and is about 14.5 miles southeast of Pinedale. After last-minute fine-tuning we will tighten our boots, hoist on our packs, and begin our journey. We will hike about six miles through willow-choked meadows and forests of spruce and pine past a stunning viewpoint to our first campsite at 10,400 feet. (1,600-foot gain/500-foot loss)

Day 2: Today, we hike about six miles, crossing expansive meadows and skirting several lakes, eventually reaching our campsite beside a tranquil lake. (1,500-foot gain/1,300-foot loss)

Day 3: This will be our toughest day. We climb to Lester Pass at 11,100 feet, the highest point on our route and the highest on the Continental Divide Trail in Wyoming. There will be some hiking cross-country. Our total hiking today is about 6.4 miles. (1,900-foot gain/1,900-foot loss)

Day 4: From Wall Lake we will close our loop to Pole Creek, hiking about 6.2 miles. (1,000-foot gain/1,800-foot loss)

Day 5: On our hike today, we stop at Photographers Point for our last views of the Wind River Range as we make our way back to Elkhart Trailhead. Today we hike about 9 miles. (1,400-foot gain/1,900-foot loss)

If you want to extend your experience in the Wind River Range, please see Trip #22138A.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Jackson, Wyoming, about 85 miles (a 2-hour drive) from Pinedale. Salt Lake City, Utah (with more flights at a lower cost) is about 250 miles (i.e., a 4- to 5-hour drive). In either case a rental car is necessary. Ride-sharing is strongly encouraged, and a roster of trip members will be sent to approved participants.

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader. Do not book return flights until the day following the end of the trip. Note that the leaders will arrive two days early to Pinedale (about 7,200 feet) to help start the acclimatization to altitude.

Accommodations and Food

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.

All trip meals are included from lunch on day one through lunch on the last day. 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. Participants are responsible for lodging and meals before and after the trip. 

The menu consists of low-bulk, lightweight foods that are simple to prepare and use a minimum of commissary gear. Generally we will have hot or cold cereal for breakfast, and dinners will usually be one-pot meals, with soup to start and a light dessert to finish. Some vegetarian meals can be provided but restrictive diets are difficult to accommodate on this trip. Contact the leader prior to sign-up to determine if we can accommodate your specific needs without impacting the group. We provide tablets for participants to treat water. Bear canisters will be used, and all personal snacks, etc. can be no more than one quart ziplock bag.

Accommodation and meals in Pinedale are not included in the trip. 

Trip Difficulty

Our route is approximately a 32-mile lollipop loop and is rated as “4”. We will start at above 9,000 feet, reaching our first camp above 10,000 feet. While the backpacking days are on trail, we will have some hiking cross-country halfway through the trip.

Cross-country hiking is more difficult than trail hiking, not only requiring strong aerobic condition, but excellent balance and agility to carry a day pack at high altitude and uneven terrain. You must be in excellent physical condition in order to enjoy this trip safely and not impact the group’s success. You will need to sustain a program of physical conditioning to carry a 40- to 45-pound pack (less is preferred) under these conditions, and the leader will provide suggestions for this. Proper preparation will enhance your wilderness experience. Shared group gear and food will weigh in the range of 10-11 lbs.

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 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 difficult 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:

• Southern Wind River Range, Earthwalk Press
• USGS 7.5 minute topo maps:
• Scab Creek
• Raid Lake
• Mt. Bonneville
• Roberts Mountain
• Halls Mountain

Books:

• Kelsey, Joe, Climbing and Hiking Wind River Mountains. Falcon Publishing.
• Pallister, Nancy, Beyond Trails in the Wind River Mountains. Gray Dog Press.
• Mitchell, Finis, Wind River Trails. Wasatch Publishers, Inc.

Conservation

We will discuss the devastation that the Pine Bark Beetle is causing to lodgepole pines and whitebark pines in the western mountains, and how climate change may be part of the cause. The Bridger Wilderness area is permanently protected by Congress, but most of Wyoming's roadless areas have no such legal protection, and logging, drilling, and off-road vehicles continue to threaten them. We will discuss what wilderness protection means, reasons for protecting more land as wilderness, and the Wilderness Act itself. We'll also discuss the national park system, the pronghorn migration (largest in the lower 48 states), and other issues.

We also would like the participants to lead discussions on issues (local or national) that they are interested in. This is optional, but on many trips we have had some wonderful discussions about subjects that individual participants are passionate about.

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