Leave of Absence, solar eclipse, etc.

OK. So you know it’s going to be crowded everywhere…

From Pinedale, WY you have an easy drive to Elkhart Park trailhead.

Totality Path

Hike east to Photographers Point, then north for a few hours. There are plenty of spots to camp.

The Great Outrdoors Shop in Pinedale is a great local resource. And there is Lot to see in this general area.

CalTopo

“Photographers Photographers” should be “Photographers Point”.

Edit to Add: Titcom Basin is a doable long day.  Totality will be about 2 minutes there. On the map above it is at the top edge, right of center – the double lake oriented north-south with the notation “4.0mi”.

Thank you Greg!

I visit the “Winds” every year and plan to do so again this year.  Ordinarily I wait until after September 1 but this year the occurrence of the eclipse changed my timing.  My plans include filling in a few gaps, seeing places I have not been before.  I have already hiked about 80% of the mileage I intend to do this year.

Ordinarily the mountains are relatively dry in September; it will be nice to see a few more flowers than usual, I hope.  There might be a few more mosquitoes, too, but it shouldn’t be too severe.

I’m entering via Green River Lakes a few days before the eclipse which will put me a little north of the eclipse totality line shown on Greg’s map.  Bought some cheapo paper/plastic eclipse glasses (UL sunglasses!) though I will not stare at the sight for long periods.  Apparently it is OK to look at the moon/sun during totality without the aid of filters–take this with a big grain of salt, it’s just something I read a few days ago on what appeared to be a reputable website.

The eclipse is a bonus feature of what looks like an enjoyable backpack.  I was unaware of the eclipse until about five or six weeks ago.  Solo again this year, probably 60 to 65 miles.

Are they installing a stoplight on the trail to Titcomb for the eclipse?  Or just speed bumps for the crowds?

I’m currently in Dubois.  Not that I’ll stay here for a week waiting, but if I’m in this area for the eclipse there are trailheads nearby that connect to the same trails.

I’ve got to decide if I want to commit to a backpacking trip during the eclipse or stay closer to the car for so I can be mobile if the weather looks cloudy.

The weather forecast is looking a little iffy for wyoming next week  (yes that’s a long way off for a weather forecast,  but still).  I’ll probably head over to Idaho – any suggestions for the Salmon Challis/ Sawtooth national forests?

The summit of Borah peak would be incredible, if it’s not cloudy. That’s a dayhike so you can be flexible if the forecast looks bad. 11:30 am eclipse time roughly, so hopefully before afternoon t-storms. But a very early alpine start to get up it in time.

Here’s a caltopo map of the eclipse path. You can right click at different spots to get the point forecast. Very useful:

https://caltopo.com/m/42S9#

Good luck! I was hoping to be in Idaho but will probably just head to Nebraska and back.