View Full Version : wind river range
taildragger
07-23-2008, 14:28
I'm looking at making a 2-3 day trip to the wind river range in late August. Since I'm not familiar with the region and my guide book hasn't arrived yet, what should I be expecting to be in for?
Are the mosquitoes still bad in late August?
What are the temps that I should be prepared for? (I assume being ready to be comfy at 20* for sustained time will be enough, or is that over/underkill)?
What about rain, just the afternoon shower, or will I have a decent chance at seeing the flood gates open up?
Whats the bear situation like (pesky bears, or just stealth it and most likely won't have problems)?
How's the water situation?
Will I still have to deal with some snow, or should it be gone for the most part by then?
Any special gear (other than good camera) that I should bring?
You could do a loop from Big Sandy to Cirque of Towers over Texas Pass and back. No mossies or bears to speak of, snow should be gone, lots of water, maybe some rain. No special gear necessary.
sbennett
07-23-2008, 14:37
like Sly said, there is an abundance of water from tons of lakes and rivers in the Winds
the mosquitos disappear after July (but they certainly suck during it)
snow should be gone
temps could get a bit brisk at higher elevations in late August but I really doubt it would be down to 20 degrees for an extended period of time
bears are just starting to get into the Winds so there shouldn't be many...I camped once at Big Sandy lake and there were actually bear boxes installed around the various campsite along the lake...don't know if this is replicated throughout the park
i'd prepare for those pesky summer thunderstorms that happen usually every afternoon
You could do a loop from Big Sandy to Cirque of Towers over Texas Pass and back. No mossies or bears to speak of, snow should be gone, lots of water, maybe some rain. No special gear necessary.
Sounds like great advice. Cirque of the Towers can get relatively busy with climbers, but compared to the AT, it will feel quite isolated.
In the three summers I worked in the Winds, mosquito hatch was mid-June to later July. By late August, you should be fine.
D'Artagnan
07-23-2008, 14:40
I've been giving Wind River Range some thought myself. Any consideration need to given regarding altitude acclimation? I live in North Carolina.
Best range in the American Rockies IMO.
Cirque of the towers is beautiful. But, if you REALLY want something off the beaten path (with trails that are barely trails!), go to the Lawrence Basin in Arapaho-Shoshone Reservation Land. Expensive at $80 per person for a permit (ouch!), but cheaper than golf. :) And so worth it!
It is very isolated (due to location and price), but very beautiful. Something most people don't see.
From the Continental Divide:
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=15682&g2_serialNumber=3&g2_GALLERYSID=9b7269e0127675108ae6001d1d0952b4
I was on Mt. Roberts in this area as well...and the register was last signed in the 1970s!
More Photos:
http://www.pmags.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=36&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=15627
I don't know what maps you ordered, but I do suggest the Earth Walk Press ones for the Winds (two series of maps) no matter what you do.
http://www.omnimap.com/catalog/cats/earthwal.htm
Rain? It can be torrential downpours, or snow or sunny. All have happened to my friends and I ( photo is near Cirque of the Towers, 2003) in late Aug and early Sept.
http://www.pmags.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8738&g2_serialNumber=2&g2_GALLERYSID=9b7269e0127675108ae6001d1d0952b4
As for temps..warm days (60s), cool nights (40s) generally speaking.
Water will not be a problem.
As for acclimating, spend a day or two in the Denver area (where you'll be flying in I imagine?), before heading up for the hike.
As for acclimating, spend a day or two in the Denver area (where you'll be flying in I imagine?), before heading up for the hike.
For a hike in the Winds, you might want to consider flying into Salt Lake (cheapest and only about 3 hours to the southwestern Big Sandy trailhead) or Riverton for the Shoshone Res entrance. Jackson Hole would be closest of all and lands you at 7000 feet for acclimation, but it is fairly expensive both to fly in and stay.
taildragger
07-23-2008, 15:50
Unfortunately I do not know how well my acclimation is going to work. I'm actually moving a friend to Seattle, then I figured that I couldn't pass this chance up. I'm going to be taking iron suppliments with the hope that it will help with the blood cells (along with stair running). Think that will be enough?
For a hike in the Winds, you might want to consider flying into Salt Lake (cheapest and only about 3 hours to the southwestern Big Sandy trailhead) or Riverton for the Shoshone Res entrance. Jackson Hole would be closest of all and lands you at 7000 feet for acclimation, but it is fairly expensive both to fly in and stay.
What can I say, I'm too Colorado focused. :)
Same deal applies though, hang out for a day or two than head up.
SLC has the beautiful looking Wasatch range to gaze at...and plenty of jello (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jell-O_Belt) too. ;)
Jackson Hole would indeed be terribly $$$$ I would think.
Unfortunately I do not know how well my acclimation is going to work. I'm actually moving a friend to Seattle, then I figured that I couldn't pass this chance up. I'm going to be taking iron suppliments with the hope that it will help with the blood cells (along with stair running). Think that will be enough?
Depends on how long of a drive it is I would think. But I am not a medical person.
Take it easy is my best advice..and stay hydrated!
What can I say, I'm too Colorado focused. :)
Same deal applies though, hang out for a day or two than head up.
SLC has the beautiful looking Wasatch range to gaze at...and plenty of jello (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jell-O_Belt)too. ;)
Jackson Hole would indeed be terribly $$$$ I would think.
Yeah, I spent too much time meeting NOLS students and being homeless in that region. Jackson Hole was a good place to get temp work at $10 an hour for splitting firewood and groundskeeping, but I had to couch surf at the Teton Valley Branch in Driggs, Idaho to live. It was a 40-minute drive over Teton Pass to JH in good weather or a 2-day wait when there was snow.
Jackson Hole was a good place to get temp work at $10 an hour for splitting firewood and groundskeeping,
The curse of real mountain towns (as opposed to the plains city at the very EDGE of the mountains where I live).
You are either rich, or scraping by in odd ways. There are a few people doing middle class type jobs..but not many.
I have a good thru-hiker friend who lives in Crested Butte,CO. Has a master's degree. He paints homes and shovels snow off roofs to earn money. If he went to my neck of the woods or maybe even Durango, he'd get a so-called professional job. Crested Butte, however, is far more beautiful than where I live.
Everything is a trade off.
envirodiver
07-23-2008, 16:58
I had a film of ice in my water bottle in the morning at the end of August in Yellowstone, which is lower than you'll likely be.
If you're driving out there's free camping in Lander (3 nights at the town park), a really neat town. I'll be getting home this weekend and will be able to look at my maps to suggest the trails and route (loop) from Big Sandy to the Cirque.
On the way, check out the Merchantile in Atlantic City. The have tasty Rocky Mountain Oysters!
taildragger
07-23-2008, 17:46
On the way, check out the Merchantile in Atlantic City. The have tasty Rocky Mountain Oysters!
Personally I prefer calf fries with a little bit of ranch :D
The Solemates
07-23-2008, 17:50
we'll be just west of you, in the lost river range. can't wait!
Footslogger
07-23-2008, 17:53
If you're driving out there's free camping in Lander (3 nights at the town park), a really neat town. I'll be getting home this weekend and will be able to look at my maps to suggest the trails and route (loop) from Big Sandy to the Cirque.
On the way, check out the Merchantile in Atlantic City. The have tasty Rocky Mountain Oysters!
==========================
I'll just add to Sly's post and say that if you ARE driving out there and need a place to stop and re-fuel or overnight ...we live in Laramie. About 4 hours or so east of Lander right off I-80. The door is always open.
'Slogger
I can personally say Slogger and BAT are great hosts!
taildragger
07-23-2008, 18:02
we'll be just west of you, in the lost river range. can't wait!
Cool, I'll actually be there as well for a day or so to see a friend who works there
OregonHiker
07-23-2008, 20:21
For a hike in the Winds, you might want to consider flying into Salt Lake (cheapest and only about 3 hours to the southwestern Big Sandy trailhead) or Riverton for the Shoshone Res entrance. Jackson Hole would be closest of all and lands you at 7000 feet for acclimation, but it is fairly expensive both to fly in and stay.
Iflew into SLC about 10 years ago for around $300. It was $1000 to go to JH.
wilconow
07-23-2008, 20:42
Iflew into SLC about 10 years ago for around $300. It was $1000 to go to JH.
actually just a couple weeks ago i saw from washington dc it was only like $50 more to go to JH via with a stopover in dallas compared to seattle.
taildragger
07-23-2008, 21:21
actually just a couple weeks ago i saw from washington dc it was only like $50 more to go to JH via with a stopover in dallas compared to seattle.
Kayak shows $229 to fly from Dallas to Jackson Hole. Thats pretty cheap.
fiddlehead
07-23-2008, 22:36
As most are recommending you base out of Big Sandy, i will say that if you are worried about the altitude, the opposite end of the "Winds" is another great option.
I assume you are going to rent a car or have someone drive you for any access into the winds. So, you can drive to the north end of Green river Lake and start from there. It's a beautiful spot and i believe not as many high passes nearby that you would have to climb some fairly big ascents to start your hike.
I've hiked the winds 3 times: Started in June (lots of fords) May (too much snow) and August (too many people) Fishing was great in June.
Never saw a bear in the "Winds"
I've hiked the winds 3 times: Started in June (lots of fords) May (too much snow) and August (too many people) Fishing was great in June.
Never saw a bear in the "Winds"
Go to the res land! I'm telling you..it is a gem that is hardly explored...not for people who want well defined trails though. :)
As for the flight..DAMN! That's a cheap one indeed. Go on it now BEFORE it goes up though.
taildragger
07-24-2008, 10:14
Go to the res land! I'm telling you..it is a gem that is hardly explored...not for people who want well defined trails though. :)
As for the flight..DAMN! That's a cheap one indeed. Go on it now BEFORE it goes up though.
I'd fly if I wasn't moving someone with my car (cheaper than a uhaul) and wyoming was on the way home...and if I do make it to the res land, I'll wait till I have about a week off so I can milk that permit money
taildragger
08-04-2008, 19:11
f I've got the time to make the trip happen (which is seemingly less and less likely to happen) I think I've decided on a possibility of three routes.
Do a loop from the Big Sandy going over Washakie and Hailey's pass.
Doing a loop that will have me on the CD from Hailey's pass to Washakie pass (I think this would be cool, and looking at my topo it looks doable).
Hike part of the new glacier trail.
I just hope that i can make it work, if only for a night, just have to save the 7 day trip for another year :grin: :banana: