After my excitement wore down, we had to find a place to camp. 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. Mileage: 29-30 miles RT 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. From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. Thankfully, Im a true pack-mule and had brought my Klymit Static V Insulated Ultralight (which I later gave away, as I dont care for the Klymits), which is much smaller than my moms Klymit Static V Insulated. We took the branch and came to the Middle Lake outlet almost immediately, and boy was it roaring. I'm transcribing these hikes in my own order, but if you'd like to see one moved to the top of the review list, just let me know. 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. I cant describe how much I loved it. Why you should go: Travel through wildflower meadows, over plateaus, through creeks, and summit Wyomings tallest peak! Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead NOTE! Explore the map. The majority of this land is maintained by the National Forest Service, so National Forest rules and regulations of backpacking and dispersed camping apply. Back at camp we packed up and headed toward Cathedral Lake. Over billions of years, natural forces including earthquakes, glaciers and erosion have shaped this magnificent landscape. Cathedral Lake is deservedly one of the most popular day hikes in the Aspen area. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. Thanks. Wildlife is prominent in this mountain range. That lasted for about 400 feet, and we were then forced back into the woods nearing the area between the lakes. We began descending and at mile 2 reached some switchbacks. Cathedral Peak is one of the Colorado Centennial 13ers meaning it's one of the highest 100 ranked peaks in Colorado. This is a spectacular opportunity to take one of those wonderful pictures the Wind River Range is known for. Near the Green River Lakes area, Roaring Fork is just one of many trails near here. Prepare for your next adventure by downloading maps. It is illegal to camp within 200 feet of a water source or trail. They were bravely close to the water given the ranger vehicles at the trailhead! From the east end of Grave Lake, follow the trail that goes west along the north shore. Thanks again. In AdventureAlan's trip report of his long-distance Wind River Trip (linked below), he advises not to camp at the upper part of the basin containing Long Lake (the particular lake is Lake 10,555) due to poor campsites and unpleasant-tasting water. Theres no better way to experience the natural beauty of the state than to stay in one of Montanas yurts. Now lets get wild. There's a possible high camp (pictured) on the Lizard Head Plateau overlooking the Cirque. Cathedral Peak's big east-facing wall, rising above Cathedral Lake in the eastern Wind Rivers, has a long history, attracting the attention of climbers since at least 1979, when Fred Beckey and Jim Kanzler completed the route they named Orion's Reflection.NOLS courses camp nearby every year, and Wyoming hardmen like Greg Collins and Dave Anderson have passed through the area. Why Hike Cathedral Lake. (Rough Draft, 05/02/2021 Revision), Review: Hiking Gorgeous Lost Twin Lakes, Cloud Peak Wilderness, Review: 12-Mile Day Hike to Slide Lake, Wind River Range, Rated R and 5 Stars: Septoplasty and More, The Pornography of Butterflies and Terry Crews, Resident Youth (15 thru 17 years old) $10. Although the Wind River Range is not quite as tall on average as the Rockies, altitude is still a major consideration for backpackers and hikers alike, particularly at elevations above 9,000 feet. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is truly spectacular. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. It is overused and the alpine tundra is fragile. --Lana Turner. Elkhart Pass to Seneca Lake may be a short out and back trail, but its certainly not short on views. The rest of the route down to Scott Lake is also detailed in Pallister's Book. Three different trailheads form an approximately 9 mile long loop, running by beautiful lakes and scenic alpine vistas- all of which are within a day hike of the Beartooth Highway. We packed up and headed out despite the geology attempting to put me into a drooling dazesee picture below, and Im typing this on a split Kinesis keyboard with no numpad, so I cant do em dashes at the moment. Between fields of wildflowers, rushing streams, dramatic mountain peaks, and world-class fly fishing, Titcomb Basin definitely deserves a spot on your Wyoming bucket list. Hike Type: Out and back, day-hike Difficulty Level: Moderate Permit: None required for day hiking. Ha! The Bear's Ears Trail continues down the stream's west bank (headed north) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake. The climb at the end was of course horrible and hot, and Im going to admit that we cut off some distance by going cross country for a bit. A map and compass are necessary while on this trail since route-finding can be difficult over rocks and snow. Glen Aulin: This easy, 11-mile round-trip trail features numerous waterfalls and breathtaking vistas as it follows the Tuolumne River. The bugs can be pretty bad in the heat of summer, though, so hiking here in September is highly recommended since the mosquitoes wont be as bad. No one was along this eastern area, and we couldnt see or hear anyone. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. Experience this unique and remote high-elevation backcountry paradise by booking a ride with Cathedral Lakes Lodge up the 16 km (10 mi) private road. Located near Dubois, this trail is no joke. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Related Read:6 Best Day Hikes in the Wind River Range. NPS Photo/J. Thankfully we found a water source up there, because we were both thirsty from being in the hot sun with no breeze. The place is catalogued as Lake by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and its elevation above sea level is equal to 9954ft. 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. 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. Moderate 4.6 (14) Popo Agie Wilderness. The season for this hike is extremely short, spanning late July to September due to late snow melt and early snow storms. 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. (1), Southwest Arete Lost Temple Spire, IV, 5.10b. I have crafted this route to be the boldest and most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wind Rivers. They tended to Stay on the middlecathedral arm. I hope that we get to experience it for many years to come, and that she gets such great memories, as you have! The road is decent until the last mile or so, and even then it can be just fine as long as rain hasnt led to horrible bogging. From Upper Golden, head north up to Lake 10787, the east down the slopes, and then north to Camp Lake. The connecting trail that completes the loop on the backside, near Texas Pass, is unmarked as an official trail, despite being well-trod for years, so navigating can occasionally become a bit tricky. Mileage: 23-24 miles RT Rangers patrol this area frequently during this time and will ticket anyone camping too close to a water source or trail. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. We got water from it because it was still so dang hot, and then continued on, which was sadly another bump in elevation that we then lost right afterward. Sign up for Weekend Wanderer and join thousands of readers getting epic travel ideas weekly. Jenny Lake is a popular area and . Wyoming; Wisconsin; West Virginia; Washington; Virginia; Vermont; DIY. One of these lakes goes by the alias "Flying Monkey Lake" (not on maps), and is the home of the largest Golden Trout in the world. Related Read:11 Backpacking Trips in the U.S. That Should be on Your Bucket List. Highway 1; Highway 101; Highway 270; Highway 70; . 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. Right from the start, this trail passes through aspen groves and thick pine forest. With 130 glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes, and 30 peaks over 13,000 feet, it's no wonder the Winds have made their place on thousands of backpacker's bucket lists. Less people is always a plus. That said, its also extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and to follow bear bag or canister protocols at all backcountry camping destinations. Arrangements can be made to rent "Porta Potties" in Laramie. We gave them big ol deer eyes and it worked. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! I will be completing the entire route this summer (August 20-September 9, 2016), and will update this post when complete. The trailhead is easily accessible from Pinedale. High country lakes fish surveys. These wild lands west of the divide and north of Gannet Peak (collectively known as Bear Basin) is easily the most magnificent trail-less section of the Wind Rivers. 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. Dan, thank you. What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? _The Deep Creek Lakes and Ice Lakes are accessed by an 8-mile round trip dayhike from Tayo Park. The lakes were very pretty and it had the best fishing in the Winds! While the map might not indicate more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain over the first 10.5 miles, the strenuousness of the hike shouldnt be underestimated. The trail is just a quick six miles in and out; so, you can focus on enjoying the outdoors. Why you should go: Work your way up through thick forest to gain views of the entire Wind River Range. If you didnt want to deal with the logistics of getting picked up and shuttled, you could hike this sucker as an out-and-back trail and double the mileage. Dickinson Park to Middle Lake. The elevation gain doubles with this addition, so this is only suggested if you are looking for a more ambitious trail. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park Started off MUCH worse got much better now is reverting to a seldom used trail. Another classic of the Wind River Range, Titcomb Basin offers everything youd ever want to see on a multi-day trip. Wyomings Section 13 of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) is a dream walk through the Wind River Range. I suspect we would have if wed climbed higher somewhere, but the highest we got was in our poorly planned ingress to Mendarrin. Eight miles into the hike you will come to Arrow Pass a long, arduous section thats all above 10,895 feet. While not as well known as other destinations such as Grand Teton and Glacier National Parks, the range nonetheless attracts an increasing amount of backpackers, climbers, hunters, and fishermen. We reached Mendarrin 2 hours after leaving camp, which was far too long for the distance. Distance: 11.5 miles (with plenty of walking around the lakes) Elevation Gain: 1,732 ft. If you are looking at this map in the winter and it's showing that there are no driving directions available, it's likely because the road is closed. About 1/4mile before the Smith lake/high meadows trail intersection the trail disappeared into another swamp. However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. As far as camping, it sounds like you could potentially camp anywhere along this section. Wind River Range. At 8:30, we found ourselves camping closer to the water than Id like, but snowpack in the trees left us no choice. Here you can go straight and around the north side of Middle Lake (SmithMiddleCathedralsomeone wasnt creative), or take the branch trail toward Cook Lake. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead The mosquitoes werent bad yet, so I got naked outside and cleaned off while mom cleaned inside the tent. 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