Advice needed for Wind River Range in early Sept.

The Winds are really beautiful in the Fall. I’ve seen a few inches of snow on the ground at Island Lake in mid September and temps in the low 20’s, so plan accordingly.

For a 6 day trip, I really liked the last one I did in the winds, going in at Elkhart Park past Seneca Lakes, Fremont Crossing to Jean Lakes, then past Elbow Lake to Summit Lake and back. Or, stop at Jean Lakes, backtrack a half mile S of Fremont Crossing, then cut easily cross country to Island Lake, then back out. Could also visit Island Lake, then hop over Wall Lake Pass (or backtrack to Seneca and hop over Lester Pass), then head past Cook Lakes to Pole Creek Lake and back out.

Many people just set up a base camp in the Island Lake area and so day hikes from there (such as Titcomb Basin, Indian Basin, Fremont Peak, etc.) However, it’s more crowded and impacted at Island lake so I like to avoid camping there.

Many many good options.

Andrew Skurka’s Wind River High Route
It includesBASIC INFO

Overview Map
Route Description
Elevation Extremes
Route Development Parameters
History
Trail & Route Comparisons
Section Hikes
GEAR & SUPPLIES

Clothing Systems for the Winds
PLANNING INFO & RESOURCES

Scheduling Considerations
Topographic Maps
Trailheads & Transportation
Are you ready for the High Route?
WRITINGS, PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Alan Dixon and Don Wilson Wind River High Route – A Guide
Alan and Don have a lot of great info
BPL Member Ed Hyatt’s Write up from Aug. 2015

A great time of year and so many options. A lot of sources mention the chance of an early season storm before the fall weather settles in, so my only thought is to be hesitant about a planning route that crosses over to the back side of the range. That way if you do get hit, which isn’t that likely, you don’t have to cross any high passes to get back out. You have so many choices of great trips in the Winds this shouldn’t be an issue.

The weather could turn on you, but it probably won’t.  I know that’s not terribly reassuring but that’s the way it is.  Maybe as advised above just avoid high passes in your planning.  I was in the Winds a couple of years ago in August-September and all was fine other than being unusually wet.  We had planed to do the high route but the weather was just barely looking threatening for the hop over Knapsack Pass so we bailed to doing the CDT from Green River Lakes to Big Sandy.  Which, frankly, I still regret because the weather cleared within a couple of hours.  But, I find myself being much more conservative since I had a kid.  I’ll be back to do the high route at some point.

Frankly, if you just get a map set and scope out almost any route on the regular trails that makes sense then you will not go wrong.  The Winds are truly one of the last great places.  Unlike most, I like the Green River Lakes end of the range more than around Titcomb, but I’m weird.

Leap Frog –

Since it was offered by @annapurna, I want to quickly chime in. With 5-6 days and with the intention of covering 10-12 miles per day, I would not recommend either my route or Alan’s. Most folks will see a 25-50 percent reduction in their normal miles per day on either of these routes, depending on their off-trail skills and fitness. It wouldn’t seem like you have enough time (which you suspected), and I generally think you would be better off staying mostly on trails so that you can see more.

The only related option that I might recommend is a Wind River High Route section-hike, which range from 37-67 miles and can be done in 3-7 days, depending on the route and, again, fitness. Some loops are harder than others; you might want to look into Loop 1 or 2. More details are here: http://andrewskurka.com/adventures/wind-river-high-route/section-hikes/.

Andrew

I have been on all the high route options and the most difficult section would be Indian pass through the the Alpine lakes, which is certainly one of my favorite areas in the Winds, but there are many favorite places to choose from.  You are pretty much committed thought that section and it wouldn’t be easily done in foul weather.

Also, don’t overlook the northern end going in at Green Lakes or Dubois along the new or old glacier trail.  If you are comfortable with off trail travel high above tree line the northern end of the range is truly spectacular.  From Green Lakes You could head up past Slide lake taking the drainage heading SSE up to Baker Lake and follow the divide north or dropping down along Kevin lake, Hourglass, Rocking horse, past Daphne and make a big loop due north past Roaring Fork and then back west over the divide and down the CDT back to Roaring Forks and Green Lakes.  If you like to see Big Horn sheep, this area will not disappoint but you will have hunters up there at that time if that is an issue for you.  This is also the area where I have seen Grizzlies on two occasions, both late September early October.

You could also go south from Baker and out Tourist canyon as well, drop down to Elk park as I recall and up and over the pass to Lozier Lakes and head north over Porcupine pass and down back to Green lakes.

The options are many and each one has the opportunity to provide a very memorable trip.  I am not as well traveled as Andrew, but in over 40 years of backing, I haven’t found a finer place to spend time than the Winds.  Throw in no permits, no bear cans, and a good chance of solitude – especially in the less traveled northern end, and it is one of the premier areas in the lower 48 states.

It is visited more often than it used to be but compared to the Sierras it is a place where you can go several days without seeing anyone much less passing on the trail.  For many years I could go on a 10-14 day trip and see no one, sometimes not even at the trail head. September is the best time, little to no bugs, relatively warm days, 50’s/60’s give or take, and cool nights, usually at freezing or so.  However, be prepared for colder temps and check the forecast before you head out.  I have seen it get into single digits after an early snow storm passes through up high and while one night like that isn’t too bad, several in a row could be worrysome.

Sorry, I have rambled on a bit.  I also apologize for punctuation and spelling as I am working off my touch screen and have two dead thumbs, as my kids call them, having had one reattached and the other one overhauled.  I am also working off memory which hasn’t been as reliable as it used to be so I may have misnamed things or gotten them a bit out or order. The best advise would be to get a map, pull up Google Earth and imagine the possibilities!

Are you up for off trail travel?  I have a loop I am doing this year in late August that might fit the bill.  It is a little over 50 miles and it is over 50% off trail and crosses 8 alpine passes.  I think its a really good route and I will be glad to send you the caltopo link if you PM me.

I also recommend that you pick up Nancy Pallisters book.

A couple of years ago (2013) I did a 7 day trip where we headed to Timico Lake on the first day (but didn’t make it, stayed at Chain Lakes that night but if if you can do 16 miles or so on your first day you can make Timico), then up over the continental divide via Fall Creek pass, down to Upper Golden Lake. Originally I was thinking of heading up into the Alpine Lakes but ended up bailing on that as we got stormed on pretty hard the day before and were feeling tired and soggy. We went back up and over Angel Pass down to Cook Lakes, then on to Island Lake (stayed at the lake above Island Lake, fewer people) and spent a day exploring the Titcomb Basin. Then hiked out from Island Lake to the trailhead.

Was a solid trip with some pretty easy off trail travel though you’d want to be comfortable with boulder hopping if you go over Angel Pass. It wasn’t hard, but it was hopping from big rocks to big rocks.

There are definitely less traveled areas of the range but the areas around Island Lake and the Titcomb Basin are spectacular even if you have to share it with some people. Honestly my favorite area I’ve camped at over anything I’ve been to in the Sierra, etc.

The only thing you need to guarantee a great trip in the Winds is simply to go. Every place I’ve been in the Winds has been wonderful. I only have 2 pieces of advice. First is to go after Labor Day. I’ve only been 4 times so far but I’ve barely seen anyone once you get out of range of a day hike from a TH. Even going thru the Cirque, I saw 2 people at Lizard Head meadows and 2 at Lonesome Lake.  1 other person on that trip. Last year I saw 2 people near the first camp which was only 5 miles in. 1 person the rest of the way.

The second is to assume you’ll be back (because you will if you go) and not get caught up in hitting a particular destination. There’s no must see’s in the Winds for me. Only places that I’ll get to in a future trip if it doesn’t make sense this time.

I’ll be starting out on 9/10 this year, most likely out of Elkhart Park. If you (or anyone else) see a a guy with a Golden Retriever along that will be me.  Make sure to say hello. Enjoy your trip.

Sorry to hear about your thumbs John. I hope that doesn’t slow you down any. I’ve very much enjoyed your insight to the Winds in your posts here. Thanks for that.

My thumbs don’t bother me much backpacking but fine motor skills with them can be frustrating.  When I messed up my left thumb last spring my first thought was “is that all bone?”  The second thought was if I would be healed up enough for my fall backpacking trip.  The answer to both was yes….

My plan when I check out of this life is to have my ashes scattered to the wind in the Winds.  I have a number of places selected and the list continues to grow every time I visit.

I also have a soft spot for Yosemite having spent many weeks there camping with my family growing up and climbing in the seventies as a teen.  My wife may not be up for a back country trip in the Winds with my ashes in tow when the time cones, but she could certainly handle some great spots in Yosemite.

Thanks, everyone. This is extremely helpful information. I’ve been poring over maps, Caltopo and Google Earth for the last few weeks.

The current plan is to depart from the Elkhart Trailhead and see some variation of Seneca Lake, Island Lake, Titcomb, Indian Basin, Fremont Peak, and possibly Jean Lakes or Chain Lakes. Based on previous posts I don’t think I’ll cross to the east side of the range. I suspect I’ll need to freelance a bit depending on the weather.

In terms of logistics, any suggestions on places to stay in Pinedale? Rivera Lodge looks like reasonable non-chain option that is near a brewery. Are there other shuttle options besides GOTCO?

Thanks again.

I sent you a PM with the caltopo of the ~45 mile loop I am planing on doing in August with 2 of my brothers. Not sure if I will get a PM back (never used it before). I hope it might help a little bit.

Thanks, everyone for the very helpful information.

I will take George Frazier’s advice not to cross the continental divide due to snowstorm potential that time of year.

Lester Moore suggested looping down from Island Lake to Cook Lakes. Does anyone have thoughts on the likelihood of an early September snowstorm cutting off Lester Pass? Is the Wall Lake Pass an unmaintained trail, or just cross country travel?

Sean B – Your Caltopo route was incredibly helpful. I’ll reciprocate once I decide on a proposed route, although I think your caltopo skills exceed mine. What time in August are you going? I like the northern part of your route as well – I’m wondering what Knapsack Pass is typically like in early September.

Randy – I’ll be getting back to Elkhart just as you are departing. I may look for you and your golden in Pinedale around the 9th/10th.

John Vance – I’m impressed: you can hammer out more on your two thumbs than I can with two hands!

We will be in the area Aug 13-20. We plan to start the 14th and we fly out of SLC the 20th so we plan to be done no later than the 19th. I will report current conditions when we get back.

Lester Pass is all on trail, so if you have a few hour’s break in the weather, you can hop over the pass reasonably fast. Wall Lake Pass has some unmaintained trail and cross country travel, with more time above treeline and more route finding. The crux is finding the right way around Wall lake, but it’s really pretty there and worth the extra effort IMHO is weather is favorable.

I will second Randy’s “The only thing you need to guarantee a great trip in the Winds is simply to go.”

In the last 15 years I have spent probably 75+ backpacking days in the Winds in the early September +/- time frame. Snow has been an issue that affected our route planning and scheduling only twice. The first time we took a layover day after 2-3 inches of snow fell overnight. It was mostly gone the next day. On the second occasion it snowed about one inch overnight; we were near the end of the trip, were close to the trailhead so we decided to leave for the comforts of town rather than remain one more day.

I don’t spend much time in motels but will offer this if your goal is to save a few bucks and if you are willing to drive an extra 10-12 miles south of Pinedale to Boulder you can probably save $10-20 vs what I am familiar with in Pinedale. There is only one motel in Boulder and no continental breakfast. Sorry, I’m not familiar with Rivera Lodge.

Happy Hiking!

While snow is possible (we got snow in 2014) it usually melts quickly. I went over Knapsack Col on 8/30/12 and probably only walked 50 ft on snow.

So Knapsack Col will be my/our first time hiking off trail (apart from here on the East Coast). Based on the videos, write ups, etc that I have seen, it looks like it should be well within our limits. Anything I should know before we get out there?

Sorry to the OP if this is too much drift but I hope any beta received may help you as well.

Sean B – No apology necessary. I am in the same position (east coaster, haven’t done off-trail previously) and have the same question. Any input would help me as well.

Are you planning on going from east to west or west to east over the pass?

We are going from West to East. Our plan is to camp just East of peak lake the night before.

Knapsack Col

Dreamers pics are spot on. The first one is the east side and the second two are the west side.

The walk from Peak lake is a really nice walk after you get through the rockslide going around the lake. It was still really loose when I went through in 2012. The pass going up from that side is scree and is fairly loose but you can probably see where people have gone up/down before.

You will take the talus down from the pass (it will be your left hand side) skirting around the snowfield in the picture. From there it is all moraine hiking down to Titcomb basin. It is slow going but navigation isn’t an issue, just follow the drainage down to Titcomb Basin.

The beauty of navigating some of these glaciated valleys is they steer you in the right direction.

Awesome. Thanks Dreamer and Brad. I can’t wait to get out there.