The elevation gain doubles with this addition, so this is only suggested if you are looking for a more ambitious trail. If traveling lightly and in peak physical condition, it could be possible to do this route in a little over a week. Adventure. A successful woman is one who can find such a man." Widely considered the best trail for seeing the wide range of geography and terrain in the range, Titcomb Basin is a 30-mile round-trip trek that offers panoramic views, campsites at alpine lakes and a possible visit to the highest point in the state of Wyoming, Gannett Peak. My mom has hiked along the mountain itself with our engineering friends, Hank and Peggy, but Ive never had the chance. The range is also home to some of North America's largest glaciers. Ive read multiple reviews online about people receiving tickets and thinking that certain areas were illegal to camp in. The bridge across the swamp was not thereyou had to hike all the way around the north side. _The Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. The road isnt terrible, but the initial section isnt made for speed. A major contributor to the stunning views is the range's geology. Many trails, such as the Cirque of the Towers loop require you to move off-trail to link up with the return trail. Cathedral Peak is a (12,326-foot (3,757 m)) mountain located in the southern Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. Day 3 totals: 7 miles, +817/-1427, 9294 min/9636 avg/9985 max. At mile 4-ish we reached the trail intersection to Sanford Park, though we couldnt really discern it. Arrangements can be made to rent "Porta Potties" in Laramie. If you are hiking here in the warmth of July, you can come across some trouble finding a camp spot within Forest Service parameters. It is unfortunately missed by most traverses of the range. Sheridan Region fisheries personnel recently sampled Long, Ringbone, Romeo, Martin, Willow #1, Willow #3, and Lame Deer lakes in the upper Clear Creek drainage of the Cloud Peak Wilderness. I thought that the drainage proper would be hideous riparian zone, or akin to Clear Lake out of Green River Lakes, so I told mom that we should stay on our contour line. The trail is just a quick six miles in and out; so, you can focus on enjoying the outdoors. Trip Type: Out-and-back Cathedral Peak is one of the Colorado Centennial 13ers meaning it's one of the highest 100 ranked peaks in Colorado. With 130 glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes, and 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, its no wonder the Winds have made their place on thousands of backpackers bucket lists. Starting at the Big Sandy Trailhead, you can easily reach this point from Pinedale or Lander. Most hotels are fully refundable. The crossing between lakes was filled with trout and was best accomplished closer to Cathedral Lake, which I gladly did. The Beartooth Recreational Trail gives a hiker many . Planning your trip to the Titcomb Basin in September will get you away from the camp crowds and mosquitoes. Some of them are minor, leaving the majority of you fairly dry, but a couple of them are not. At 8:30, we found ourselves camping closer to the water than Id like, but snowpack in the trees left us no choice. Moderate 4.8 (5039) Grand Teton National Park. Some icons at default view contain 5+ hikes when zoomed in. The end of Summit Lake Trail links up with a few other trails, and sections of the CDT. Rangers patrol this area frequently during this time and will ticket anyone camping too close to a water source or trail. I cant describe how much I loved it. Continue north to the head of Tourist Creek, and ascend northeast above lake 10890 all the way to the divide near Point 12450. The land was donated by Maud Noble, owner of nearby Menor's Ferry, predating the establishment of Grand Teton National Park in 1929 and its expansion into the Moose area in 1950. Camping near Halls Lake or further along at the Golden Lakes (just north of Hay Pass in the next section) would be recommended. It then bolted uptrail. We soon found that we were indeed on the trailwhich had been hidden by snow. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: St. Matthew's Episcopal. Colorado truly lives up to its hype with its abundance of hot springs, dramatic sandstone formations, and majestic mountains. How is the road into Dickinson Park. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. You can reach Seneca Lake by parking at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek Trail from there. The rest of the route down to Scott Lake is also detailed in Pallister's Book. Though its neighbor, Colorado, takes up most of the outdoor attention in the central western United States, the Wind River Range offers a fair share of notable outdoor attractions in its own right. I hear it can be pretty rough. Everest!! This trail starts from the Pole Creek Trail, then connects with the Seneca Lake and Indian Pass trails. At about 15.5 miles into the trail, the incline drastically increases as you work your way between Three Waters Mountain and Osborn Mountain. Dogs are allowed on National Forest land trails as long as they are on leash. Located on the Arizona shoreline of Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a destination for boaters, water sport enthusiasts, hikers, nature lovers, car enthusiasts and history buffs. The best time to visit the Titcomb Basin area is in the late summer, beginning in July and ending in late September. Cathedral Lake Middle Lake Brookie Snake River Cut from the North Fork Popo Agie Me and Sweetie trying to stay dry. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. The strenuous Lizard Head Trail leaves the North Fork Trail in these meadows and climbs nearly 2000 feet to the bare upper slopes of Windy Mountain. It traverses northwest while staying high on the mountaintops. From the peak, descend west to the saddle, and northeast down the valley (cirque) to a group of lakes, one of which is Windy Lake. Related Read:11 Backpacking Trips in the U.S. That Should be on Your Bucket List. Mileage: 29-30 miles RT I hate pure out and backs. His favorite place he's ever visited is Alaska, and his favorite activity might be fishing or reading, depending on the day. We decided to leave our tent and only use my pack, and to head up for Mendarrin Lake to the west, not knowing what wed find. They bring back a lot of fond memories Ive been doing this trip since I was 12 and Im 76 now so have seen a lot of changes to trail. After walking through forests for a few minutes, we climbed to the intersection of trails about 160 feet above the lake. According to Joe Kelsey, "Above treeline, while the Forest Service doesn't maintain the trail shown on the Temple Peak quad, you shouldn't have trouble switchbacking to Temple Pass, the 11,480-foot saddle between Temple and East Temple Peaks.". Moderate 4.6 (14) Popo Agie Wilderness. The trail is wide and a bit rocky as you climb through the heavily-wooded forest. The stiff climb, ascending 2,000-ft. up beautiful Pine Creek canyon, traverses aspen groves, spruce-fir forests and pretty meadows on its way to Cathedral Lake, an alpine jewel cradled in a stunning cirque of jagged granite summits and rugged ridges, anchored by Cathedral Peak (13,943-ft.). Its the most traveled trail to the summit of Wyomings highest peak, and one of the longest trails in the area (aside from the CDT). The majority of this land is maintained by the National Forest Service, so National Forest rules and regulations of backpacking and dispersed camping apply. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. So, dispersed camping is not illegal unless clearly marked (it is the only kind of camping) along trails of this part of the Wind River Range. It is the best kind of trailless terrain, for you are above treelike, can locate topographic features, and get a sense of solitude in country you are probably visiting for solitude. Enter your email address to subscribe to this the content of this site, some of which, we hear, is worthwhile. Why you should go: Work your way up through thick forest to gain views of the entire Wind River Range. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. Why you should go: Get lost deep in the Wind River Range as you find yourself among jagged peaks, rushing streams, and crystal-clear lakes filled with trout. I need to spend more time on the Eastern side of the Winds, but wont be able to for some time as my daughter is still too young for the mileage required in my limited time off, at least with the drive from my home. We took the branch and came to the Middle Lake outlet almost immediately, and boy was it roaring. Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. The trailhead itself has only very primitive parking (picture at end) and no other features. As we set up camp and got firewood, the sunset was awesome, though I didnt manage to get many very nice photos. And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. You wont! Nestled on the foothills of the Front Range of the Rockies, Fort Collins offers plenty of great hiking opportunities close to town. Prints Available It wasnt really difficult, but we made a lot more work for ourselves than we needed. Titcomb Basin, along with the Cirque of the Towers area, may be the only sections where you will see more than a small handful of people. Follow it's north shore west to the unnamed pass between Native Lake and Faller Lake (maps show a trail from Native to Faler Lake, but reportedly it is unmaintained and almost non-existent. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. I dont know that this was the right choice, because the woods were thick and loaded with snow, which slowed us to a crawl. She has had the privilege of working for Colorados most experienced climbing guide service as an Office & Marketing Manager and an Outdoor Climbing Guide. It contains 40 peaks over 13,000 feet, the largest glacier in the American Rockies, and over 1300 named lakes. The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. An extra day is advised to explore the multitude of lakes around the Brown Cliffs here. RV Weight . Cathedral Peak (or technically an arm of Cathedral Peak) reflects in Cathedral Lake at sunset. This trip is typically done in two days, as you hike in nine miles to Seneca Lake, camp here, then hike out. Perhaps the most beautiful section of the Traverse is the Northern section, so you would ascend back to the divide (and the Traverse) via Tourist Creek (this off-trail route is described in detail by Pallister and Kelsey). To access trails, drive down the Teton Park Road and turn at South Jenny Lake. Lembert Dome Trail: This 2.8-mile round-trip trail features stunning panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows. You end up where Palister calls "Shangri-La." I also did some fishing, but released the critters as mom said she didnt feel like cleaning and cooking them. Located on the way up to the Cirque of the Towers, Dads Lake is a pristine alpine setting that offers even the least experienced backpackers the chance to test their trail legs. Hiking around Jenny Lake offers spectacular views of the Cathedral Group and Cascade Canyon. It is illegal to camp within 200 feet of a water source or trail. This area was created in order to allow you to talk about topics other than fishing reports for Cathedral Lake. When approaching from Temple Pass, avoid descending to Lake 10,839 by a messy traverse." Your next campsite will be just under Dinwoody Glacier, at Tarns Camp. Because the nearest station and this geographic feature . Trip Type: Out-and-back From Grave Lake by taking the Hailey Pass trail west to Pyramid Lake, then off-trail north up the East Fork Valley. The trees were the sort that have annoying branches that stab and rib at you, and post-holing crotch deep did little to improve either of our moods. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. We both decided that wed rather stick to the southern edge of Middle and Cathedral Lakes as we made our way up, rather than having to cross that crapshow again. Was planning on going in this yr but life got in the way so maybe next yr. To old to walk it with 100 lb packs so going to use horses if we do it in the future. Trip Type: Out-and-back Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft) Located on the way up to the Cirque of the Towers, Dad's Lake is a pristine alpine setting that offers even the least experienced backpackers the chance to test their trail legs. This requires using Dickinson Park out of Lander, which itself requires crossing reservation land. All of which means that Wind River Range backpacking is a must-do for anyone serious about getting outside. We only saw one group of campers down by the lake. Although the Cathedral above the lake isnt actually Cathedral Peak (which is farther back and almost 1000-feet higher), it was a stunning bit of geology. The lead rider stopped to talk with us, and as we were chatting, her rear mule lost its mind, snapping off from the train and pulling the rope off of itself. An extra day can be taken to climb Wind River Peak, the southernmost 13er in the range; definitely a worthy summit, with amazing views from what I've heard. That lasted for about 400 feet, and we were then forced back into the woods nearing the area between the lakes. The route I'm presenting here is meant to be savored, and my recommended time for it is 20 days, including 2 days for weather-related issues. The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, Lets Get Spooky! This trail can be done in as little as three to four nights, or longer if you come here to climb the steep granite walls of the Cirque. It would be 8.5 miles one-way to Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes from Lake 10322 near Hay Pass, and to get back to the WRRT, you would travel over Timico Pass (north of Timico Lake) instead of backtracking to Hay Pass. This is a spectacular opportunity to take one of those wonderful pictures the Wind River Range is known for. Cathedral Group is a group of the tallest peaks in the Teton Range, including Grand Teton, Mount Owen and Teewinot. Why you should go: Hike on an easy trail as you enter the Cirque of the Towers area and fly fish one of Wyomings favorite lakes. Cathedral Lake is located in the Wind River Range. Of course, with such a bounteous landscape thats overflowing with scenic trails its tough to know where to start your backpacking adventure. This article was brought to you by Gregory. Mileage: 23-24 miles RT Anyway, the Wind River Tribal Reservation requires anyone traveling on or within the boundaries of their land to possess a Wind River Tribal Fishing/Trespass Permit regardless of whether one is fishing or just hiking; this typically includes the following: Failure to have a permit will result in severe fines so dont push your luck. Head out on this 9.1-mile out-and-back trail near Moose, Wyoming. To the south were waterfalls and we saw granite ramps that we could walk up if we wanted to ascend the mountain (maybe a good path to do Big Sandy-Washakie-Cathedral-Dickinson), which I stored in my mind for future use. It offers panoramic views and excellent backcountry camping without the heavy mileage of its longer cousin. Nights will be cold year-round, sometimes reaching freezing temperatures even in the summer months. Dont forget your fishing rod and flies! Thanks again. Related Read:6 Best Day Hikes in the Wind River Range. It was growing into the evening and we still had quite a ways left to go! Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. Dads Lake is accessible from the Big Sandy Trailhead (the same as Cirque of the Towers Trail), and close to the Big Sandy Campground. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). In short, plan to get wet. Bonney. Past this we messed up! 2.4 miles in we reached what would sadly be the lowest point of the hike (I hate having to do a bunch of uphill on the return of any hike, but even more when its ugly), but at least there was a little creek running at this time of year. Meridian lake was not named then ( just blank name on topo maps) so we named it glacier amongst ourselves. Fishing was fantastic 1st time at smith 20 casts 19 brookies caught. And also from going south from New Fork Lake past Lee Lake. Cathedral Peak is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) southwest of Mount Chauvenet in the Popo Agie Wilderness of Shoshone National Forest. 3. Youll come across semi-established camp spots that are heavily used by thru-hikers. Before 8PM we had a huge fire going, and sadly the mosquitoes here were fairly aggressive. As you make your way under the gigantic shadow of Warbonnet Peak, there are many ups and downs and rocky sections to shift your gaze to your feet. The mosquitoes werent bad yet, so I got naked outside and cleaned off while mom cleaned inside the tent. Youll pass through another treeless flatland called the Burro Flat. The Cathedral Group Turnout is located along Jenny Lake Road which you can access while driving the Grand Teton Scenic Loop Drive. This would add about. We gave them big ol deer eyes and it worked. The East face of Mt. Road Tripping. For speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake is a popular camping spot just under 6 miles from the Big Sandy trailhead. It was also the first big wall climb outside of Yosemite to be rated at Grade VI, a very serious, multi-day rock climb with a long and arduous approach. In fact, really, all of the lakes here were decent, with Cook and Middle being the least pretty, Id say. Explore this 13.3-mile out-and-back trail near Lander, Wyoming. The only major areas I had to bypass are (from South to North) the Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes, Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake, Bonneville Basin, Bald Mountain Basin and Cook Lakes, the Peak Lake Area (as described by Kelsey), and the Eastern drainages north of Gannet Peak, which are pretty much impassable due to rough terrain and massive glaciers. From Tarns Camp to the peak of Gannett, you will be climbing for three miles. Its a short drive from Pinedale to the Big Sandy Trailhead, so you can spend more time on the trail and less in the car. Hiked in reverse requires climbing more than 5,600 feet, but start in Tuolumne Meadows and this beautiful walk is mostly downhill. After rounding Cathedral Peak, this trail joins the Bear's Ears Trail, just before the latter's descent [west 1.5 miles] to Valentine Lake." Several trails leave from Jenny Lake ranging from easy to very strenuous. Less than 35 miles. Backpacking without a stove is the easiest, leanest, and safest way to wander the wilderness. Why Hike Cathedral Lake. Cathedral Lake Fremont County, Wyoming. Review: Dickinson Park to Smith, Cloverleaf, Cook, Mendarrin, Middle, & Cathedral Lakes, Hiking and Adventure Map (Work in Progress), Day 1, 11 July: Dickinson Park to Cloverleaf Lake, Day 2: Mendarrin Lake and Camp at Cathedral Lake (My day of birth! Its worth spending the extra day relaxing, fishing, and explore the area. We had a close-up view of the Cathedral Group on the Forks of Cascade Canyon Trail and also enjoyed the view from the turnout. 1. It also contains the largest system of glaciers in the American portion of the Rockies. We really wanted to flaunt the regulations, but we decided to be good and camp by a huge snow mound. Thanks. It is advised that you camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Lake. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. *Deposit, (non-refundable) required to hold reservation*. From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. From this lake, continue southwest past Lake Kagevah to 11,290 foot Kagevah Pass. It is fine country to wander through. Instagram and TikTok (maybe, dont use it) seem to drive the crowds, which I suppose, if anything, I prefer. Thanks Luke. According to Pallister, the safest way down is on the Glacier, instead of traversing the surrounding cliffs. Camping at Faler Lake is typically done in the warmer months. After about 10 minutes, we made it across, but it was sketchy. Camping along this trek can be found at Shadow Lake, and then in and around the Jackass Pass area later in the trip. Mom got up with the sun, and I got up slightly after. Eklund Lake sees very few visitors since most groups continue on to Seneca Lake, so camping here is ideal if you are looking for solitude. Roaring Fork Trail is a true test of skill. The trail in is so ugly that Im knocking a star off of the rating, but I otherwise truly appreciated what this short hike had to offer. Mom and I wanted to hike some of the reservation trails and didnt have too long to do it, so we picked Cathedral Lake. The trail continued to be ugly, with only large boulders providing any scenery. This trail is also known as High Meadow Trail 712 and takes one to another trail that goes to High Meadow and Cliff Lakes. Go instead a couple of miles farther to Lizard Head Meadows or a short ways up the Bear's Ears Trail (described in the next section). After my excitement wore down, we had to find a place to camp. While beautiful, this continues for quite a while and often makes hikers feel like theyre moving backwards. Travel here is high compared to other, harder to reach, trailheads of the Winds. From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet over 8.5 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). From Middle Fork Lake, it is approximately 2 trailless miles to Hall's Lake. To help you narrow down your favorites, weve put together a list of the best backpacking trails in the Wind River Range. 2. The 63 glaciers of the range are more than in any other range of the American Rockies and surpassed in the continuous USA only by the Washington Cascades. Zoom in for full list. A valley in Montana is named after it. They are beautiful and bring back a lot of memories. Your comment made my day! Just continue north to shallow and picturesque Hay Pass. Cathedral Lake, when we finally arrived, was enough to floor anyone. I plan on taking my little kid with me for her first trips into the Winds this summer. Wyomings Section 13 of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a dream walk through the Wind River Range. Youll be heading off to the right basically 90 degrees and up a different drainage, which you will not have views of from above. From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. I would love to return to this lake at a later time, because its truly quite gorgeous, though Cloverleaf was nothing to sneeze at, either! It made me hungry! Ive always wished that I were good at art, but alas, Ive never had the talent, nor have I been able to pick it up when Ive tried. Very few people fished the cookno namemeridian arm. If you cross the land, you have to pay money. Cathedral Lake, WY Latitude: 42.8213426 Longitude: -109.1445738 County: Fremont Area: Lizard Head Peak Elevation: 3034 meters - 9954 feet Should this affect the validity of this most grand route I have prepared? From Coon Lake, you go around the south shore, and walk to a small pond just west of the lake, perched above cliffs. We followed the trail past Cook Lake, but it wasnt pretty and I didnt get pictures of the lake itself. Bring bear protection, never hike alone, and make noise as youre navigating the backcountry. Cathedral, Hunter Hall Offices Room #102. DIY Truck Camper Renovation. A widely-used trail, this route offers the chance to take in the Wind River Range wilderness in a way thats palatable to beginner through intermediate backpackers with a taste for adventure. While the Wind River Range receives barely half the traffic that its more popular counterparts do (think the Sierra Nevadas or the Rockies), the Cirque of the Towers loop remains one of the most popular trails in the region, both for short backpacking trips and dedicated climbers who set up base camps below the towering Cirque spires. Only one section of road was sketchy, and even that wasnt too badjust some severe ruts from mud. After the first 4.5 miles on Pole Creek Trail, you will pass a marker called Photographers Point. Anyway, it was a pretty nice night. To connect with the Fremont Trail, you will have to maneuver through Texas Pass which has been traveled for years but is not a designated trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 45 min to complete. We climbed the granite knob easily and got a nice view of the drainage, but if youre not in the view, you should just stick to the trail. Thankfully there was an awesome bridge over the marsh. Although, Castle Peak has a class 2 hike all the way to its summit, Cathedral Peak does not. Wed left Lander around 2PM (my house was very far away) and got to the trailhead at 4PM. The lake itself was quite deep and flat-out flooded with the biggest trout that Id seen in Wyomingreally too big for my line! For the most part we followed the river, deviating from it when it was easier to do that. However, for the most scenic, most direct and aesthetic route, walk on trail down Indian Basin and to Upper Titcomb Basin. You can buy yours online from them at this page so that you dont have to waste time when you get into townshow up and pick up. Trip Type: Loop Ive done this same hike on several occasions but its been over 20 years now. Here you can go straight and around the north side of Middle Lake (SmithMiddleCathedralsomeone wasnt creative), or take the branch trail toward Cook Lake. Faler Lake is 18 miles in, and the trail can be divided into however many days you prefer. As we descended, we smelled cooking food, too, so I think that these folks had been resupplied by the outfitters. The Hay Pass Trail is not maintained, so keep your GPS, map, and compass handy. It is overused and the alpine tundra is fragile. You will need a permit to camp at the lakes. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. There were plenty of outfitter-style places to camp for some reason, as you can see in the picture above. From Temple Pass, descend to the east shore of Temple Lake. All the information is there; there are no gray areas. From this saddle, both East Temple and Temple Peaks are worthwhile side trips. Because the Cathedral Lakes Hike trail is the same as the John Muir Trail, there will likely be overnight backpackers and equestrians to watch out for. Im here to serve you, so let me know if this wasnt helpful, or if theres anything I can do to make this better. Dickinson Park to Middle Lake. On the other side I found my favorite flower! You'll pass no fewer than 100 large lakes (and innumerable small tarns), pass or traverse dozens of notable peaks, and see the largest glaciers in the American Rocky Mountains. This time of year they were impressive, and we considered camping towards the waterfalls, but there seemed to be nothing but steep hillsides there. From what I could discern, going all the way to Cook Lake (as we did) and doing a small section of orienteering is probably the most scenic way to access those lakes. Follow the top of the divide north for approximately 1.5 miles, then drop down west to the north shore of Baker Lake. By following Leave No Trace ethics, you will do your part in continuing to keep the Wind River area pristine and as wild as possible.

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