Wind Rivers Questions

Check out Nancy Pallister's book: "Beyond Trails in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming". It goes into great detail of off trail routes and does cover a few of the more accessible or easier summits. It is not a climbing book though and does focus on off trail routes; in great quantity I might add.

As for the time frame, I was out there the first two weeks of September last year. I hit both the Island Lake region out of Pinedale and a loop of the Cirque of the Towers in the south and had no bug issues that I recall at either spot. Weather was fairly dry overall for me but after talking with some others on the trail, a decent storm had dropped a lot of rain and snow on some of the higher passes just before I started the trip. Another system was just moving in as I left. I had a couple nights that flirted just below freezing but most were mid 30s to low 40s. Hard to predict so definitely plan for a few cold evenings.

Thanks for the information.

I second the recommendation on Nancy Pallisters book.

I have been there two times from August 24-September 2 in 2012 and August 28-September 4 in 2014. No bugs either time.

I've done 6-7 loops in the Winds, and just did an 11 day thru with some off-trail from Sweetwater Gap to Torrey Lakes.

Bugs pressure can be VERY strong there, but it's hit and miss, so I'd be prepared for bad bugs and be pleasantly surprised if you get lucky.

+1 for Pallister's book. It's a fantastic resource.