Wind River Backpacking and Packrafting

[JJ B]

I’ll be in J Hole between Aug 18-26 with a friend and we’re considering a 2-4 day backpacking and packrafting trip in WRR.  I’m looking for general advice on loops in that area that fit our parameters and any information regarding recent trip reports including CFS, trail conditions like blowdowns, and possible bug pressure.

Thanks in advance!

[JJ B]

Dont mind strenuous hiking terrain but rafting limited to Class II and some class III max.

[Brad Rogers]

From Big Sandy Trailhead you could hike in over to Shadow Lakes over Illinois Pass to Ranger Park, up to Cathedral Peak down to Cirque of the Towers and back out.

From Green River Trailhead you could hike to Peak Lake and over Knapsack Col into Titcomb Basin then down around Island Lakes, Elbow Lakes, over Porcupine Pass, and back out.

I’m going off of memory on those as I don’t have a map in front of me.

I’m not aware of any packrafting in WRR.

The bugs “should” be gone by then but you can contact the Great Outdoors Shop in Pinedale before your trip for the latest update.

We’ll be there right after you leave.

[JJ B]

Thanks for the info.  We’ve narrowed it down and I think we’re going to shoot for Green river lakes TH to Beaver Park, summit squaretop, then back to the TH via packraft along the green river some of the way.  Probably looking at 1-2 nights.

The great outdoors shop sounds like a good resource! I imagine they would have some info on trail condition and CFS and all that.

 

 

[obx hiker]

“The great outdoors shop sounds like a good resource! I imagine they would have some info on trail condition and CFS and all that.”

Try their website and they do regular reports and articles. You could also talk to someone at the NFS office in Pinedale or Dubois. The people in the actual store probably are kinda busy? But they have a great website!

[Luke Schmidt]

As far as I’m aware the Green River Lakes route is the only packrafting in the winds that is not either a lake or a Class V deathwish. I have not done it but I recall hearing someone did 10 portages over river wide logs years ago. Just remember wood hazards can kill you as fast as a rapid. Should be fun though. If you have more time floating a section of the Snake in Jackson Hole is a fun day trip.

[nunatak]

In 2015, June we day hiked in to just above Beaver Park and packrafted back down the Green and across the lakes to the TH. One or two portages kept it at class 2-3. Be ready to get in and out the boat to get around logs.

Very worthwhile, super fun day. But it was peak run off. By August the flows may be too low.

[Will B]

The 7 miles of Dinwoody creek from the top of Wilson meadows to the bottom of big meadow is pretty relaxed. Some nice lollipop possibilities using that. Just be careful you know where you’re taking out because Dinwoody becomes a class V stomper below big meadow.

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