cathedral lake wyoming
To help you narrow down your favorites, weve put together a list of the best backpacking trails in the Wind River Range. The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. The place is catalogued as Lake by the U.S. Board on Geographic Names and its elevation above sea level is equal to 9954ft. *Deposit, (non-refundable) required to hold reservation*. Day 1 totals: 6.4 miles, +1392/-783, 9296 min/9600 avg/9995 max. Immediately by it is Twin Lakes Creek in a pretty meadow, though it was putting off tons of mosquitoes. (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. 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. If you have the time to add in a day, do it! When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. The East face of Mt. "The ridge is most easily gained 0.5 miles from the summit; two couloirs nearer the summit are corniced early in summer and later filled with ice and loose rock. 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. Though the sun was setting directly behind the peak, a huge cumulus cloud behind me was so brightly lit by sunset light that the bounce light from the cloud illuminated the peak with an orange glow. Cathedral Lake, when we finally arrived, was enough to floor anyone. Its the ideal pack for a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range. 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. Sadly, my Thermarest Trail Scout had developed a hole, so my sleep wasnt as luxurious as the previous night! Rain and thunderstorms also occur often (and usually without warning) in the summer, so come prepared with waterproof gear such as a rain jacket, rain pants, and waterproof hiking boots. The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, Lets Get Spooky! Cathedral Peak is one of the Colorado Centennial 13ers meaning it's one of the highest 100 ranked peaks in Colorado. What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. We took the same trail out that we took in, and spent only 7 hours from packing up to getting to the trailhead. Cathedral Lake is a lake located just 18.4 miles from Fort Washakie, in Fremont County, in the state of Wyoming, United States, near Temple Creek Summer Home Area, WY. There is fantastic alpine camping near (and north of) Deep Lake, and great sheltered, treeline camp spots just off the trail at Clear 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. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Backpacking without a stove is the easiest, leanest, and safest way to wander the wilderness. Fishing was fantastic 1st time at smith 20 casts 19 brookies caught. 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. The best route from Baker Lake to Bear Lake is described in Pallister's book, and also Matt Lemke's excellent trip report. Do this route early morning to avoid afternoon storms. Head out on this 9.1-mile out-and-back trail near Moose, Wyoming. There is one big climb that begins right at the 10-mile mark. 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. 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. You then depart from the trail due northeast, following Blair Creek to the pond at 9590. Right from the start, this trail passes through aspen groves and thick pine forest. Trailhead Start: Big Sandy Trailhead After we were both bathed, we soaked up the campfire heat and I got pictures of the night sky. Follow the top of the divide north for approximately 1.5 miles, then drop down west to the north shore of Baker Lake. Interested in Wind River Range backpacking but not going the distance in the Titcomb Basin? Only one section of road was sketchy, and even that wasnt too badjust some severe ruts from mud. Cathedral Lake is located in the Wind River Range. A steady incline lies ahead of you until you reach Faler Lake. FOR RESERVATIONS CALL: St. Matthew's Episcopal. Historical Weather. As we descended, we smelled cooking food, too, so I think that these folks had been resupplied by the outfitters. Moderate 4.6 (14) Popo Agie Wilderness. 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. Thats a river of deception and leads up toward Wind River Peak. Jenny Lake is a popular area for hiking. Im going to try and keep this hike narrative pretty short. Most hotels are fully refundable. Travel here is high compared to other, harder to reach, trailheads of the Winds. 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. 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 Peak Lake Area. About a mile from Photographers Point, you will reach Eklund Lake. Reachable by Pinedale, Roaring Fork Trail offers thick forest scenery and shelter to backpackers. Follow the plateau northwest all the way to Lake 10528 in Stough Creek Basin. The trail is wide and a bit rocky as you climb through the heavily-wooded forest. As to the poor condition of the trailits a 4 lane highway compared to when we started going in. Camping along this trek can be found at Shadow Lake, and then in and around the Jackass Pass area later in the trip. NPS Photo/J. From Upper Golden, head north up to Lake 10787, the east down the slopes, and then north to Camp Lake. My alternative to using pro would be to drive back out to cell service. 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. Mileage: 29-30 miles RT The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. This entire section of the CDT does not drop below 9,115 feet above sea level, so youll enjoy epic views from start to finish. (3034mt.) ), Rockhounding Locations in WY, MT; UT. Lonesome Lake was the first lake in the Wind Rivers to be deemed unsafe for drinking, and camping is strictly prohibited within 1/4 mile of the lake. Judging from a recent picture, it may go, but only in late summer. Since Glacier Trail is far north in the Wind River Range, its snow melt differs from the southern trails near Pinedale and Lander, giving this trail a surprisingly earlier (and longer) season. The majority of the Wind River Ranges hikes and primary backpacking trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or above, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for unprepared visitors. Cathedral Peak is a mountain located in the southern Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. RedLong-duration hikes, typically 5+days. This article on Wind River Range backpacking is brought to you by Gregory, whose lightweight backpack line is made from durable, rip-stop materials on an ultra-lightweight, durable aluminum frame. 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. Youll come across semi-established camp spots that are heavily used by thru-hikers. However, for the most scenic, most direct and aesthetic route, walk on trail down Indian Basin and to Upper Titcomb Basin. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is truly spectacular. 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. If you're not comfortable traversing the Mammoth Glacier described in Pallister's book, an alternate route is to go over Knapsack Col and down to Peak Lake, over Cube Rock Pass, and join the Highline Trail near Trail Creek Park. The lake was much too cold for me to try and swim out and dive for it, so that was our sign to pack up and return at another time. Partway up, a short trail branches left to Bear Lakes. The Deep Lake Cirque from Deep Lake, Wind River Range. Several trails leave from Jenny Lake ranging from easy to very strenuous. The lake itself was spectacular. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! 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. There's a possible high camp (pictured) on the Lizard Head Plateau overlooking the Cirque. NOTE! If traveling lightly and in peak physical condition, it could be possible to do this route in a little over a week. A successful woman is one who can find such a man." The Lake is more accessible and has a reputation for spectacular fishing than its surrounding lakes. Hiking around Jenny Lake offers spectacular views of the Cathedral Group and Cascade Canyon. All are spread over three wilderness areas. A spree to Shoshone National Forest when you're here at Cathedral Lake is a wonderful idea, and close by you discover the Bears Ears Trail which is a perfect hiking trail. Daniell is a freelance writer based out of Fort Collins, Colorado. To clarify, this is National Forest land. We also stopped for some pictures on the drive out! The Bear's Ears Trail continues down the stream's west bank (headed north) and climbs west and descends to Grave Lake. Wyoming; Wisconsin; West Virginia; Washington; Virginia; Vermont; DIY. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. Among the abundant wildlife of the Wind River Range are mosquitoes, and theyre everywhere. 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. 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. Why Hike Cathedral Lake. Shy of 5 miles we came to the weirdest littlecreek? Dogs are allowed on National Forest land trails as long as they are on leash. The drive up to Dickinson Park is long but very pretty, with bald, scalloped hills giving way to high forests. There is apparently a non-technical route that goes northwest from the pond that traverses the cliffs above Little Sandy Creek. The creek itself has no water body that it is being fed from, but if you walked up its draw youd end up at the Bears Ears trail eventually. I am also delighted to hear that you are still going. It is all off trail, and may have tricky route finding, but is never technical (vast majority is class 2 and below, with a few possible class 3 moves). Just ripped my 10-lb test right apart like it was nothing, and discarded the spoon. It is fine country to wander through. 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. Generally speaking, backpacking here is best done in the late summer or early fall, when temperatures are warmer and the better portion of the snow has melted from the high altitude terrain. While beautiful, this continues for quite a while and often makes hikers feel like theyre moving backwards. I hope that we get to experience it for many years to come, and that she gets such great memories, as you have! Look at us, taking one for the USFS! We really wanted to flaunt the regulations, but we decided to be good and camp by a huge snow mound. Cathedral Lake, WY Latitude: 42.8213426 Longitude: -109.1445738 County: Fremont Area: Lizard Head Peak Elevation: 3034 meters - 9954 feet Heart Lake Trail will connect you to Palmer Lake and Doubletop Trails, and a shorter loop can be made with Trapper Lake Trail as well. Bring bear protection, never hike alone, and make noise as youre navigating the backcountry. Mom and I wanted to hike some of the reservation trails and didnt have too long to do it, so we picked Cathedral Lake. This hike visits numerous lakes in a short number of miles. A wide, well-maintained trail offers great views and the ease of simply being outside. 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. 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. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. Truly beautiful, steep peaks create the backdrop of Photographers Point. Just beyond the crossing we found a very old sign announcing our location, as well as the trail proper. Near the Green River Lakes area, Roaring Fork is just one of many trails near here. You'll touch the east shore of Lonesome Lake, and follow the trail east to Lizard Head Meadows. It is located entirely in Wyoming and is the highest range in the Wyoming-Idaho-Montana group of ranges. But what does that really mean? Mileage: 23-24 miles RT Due to the heavy incline of this trail, making this a four-day endeavor will leave everyone happy. I have crafted this route to be the boldest and most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wind Rivers. Due to the rocky and snowy sections especially while working through Texas Pass trekking poles are suggested for this adventure. A valley in Montana is named after it. Joe Kelsey describes the first 5.5 miles of this trail as the Lizard Head Trail as follows: "Lizard Head Meadows are an opening along the North Popo Agie 2 miles below Lonesome Lake. Ha! I also did some fishing, but released the critters as mom said she didnt feel like cleaning and cooking them. In short, plan to get wet. I know that while backpacking its typically not advised to bring so many extra clothes, but since you will be camping at high altitude and in the cold, dry layers are necessary to prevent hypothermia. 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. Fremont Trail will take you back to the Big Sandy Trailhead. I saw maybe five people on my way to the Cirque from the Big Sandy Lake (Big Sandy Trailhead to Big Sandy Lake is a different story). Nestled on the foothills of the Front Range of the Rockies, Fort Collins offers plenty of great hiking opportunities close to town. 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. However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. Love your critique of the Smith Lake and Cathedral Trail trailheads appreciate the turn-offs for touri helps weed a few out. After guiding several trips through the Western Slope Desert, Daniell fell in love with climbing desert towers and overnight canoe trips down the Colorado River. This trip is typically done in two days, as you hike in nine miles to Seneca Lake, camp here, then hike out. Excellent photography and fishing opportunities. With 77 mountain peaks at more than 12,000 feet above sea level, it's not just the views that'll leave you breathless in Colorados most-visited national park. 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. Mid-June through September is the best time to attempt this summit. My mom has hiked along the mountain itself with our engineering friends, Hank and Peggy, but Ive never had the chance. From this lake, continue southwest past Lake Kagevah to 11,290 foot Kagevah Pass. Ive done this same hike on several occasions but its been over 20 years now. 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. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including lake trout and brook trout here. Your next campsite will be just under Dinwoody Glacier, at Tarns Camp. I noticed that most routes follow the lower highline trail, or skip the many magnificent areas including Stough Creek Lakes, Deep Lake Cirque, Grave Lake Cirque, North Fork Cirque (on the Wind River Indian Reservation), the Brown Cliffs, Scott Lake, and Bear Basin. Many trails, such as the Cirque of the Towers loop require you to move off-trail to link up with the return trail. The Wind River Range sees less traffic than areas like Teton or Rocky Mountain National Forests, so trails are not the easiest to follow in many areas. In fact, really, all of the lakes here were decent, with Cook and Middle being the least pretty, Id say. Thankfully there was an awesome bridge over the marsh. From Little Sandy Creek, You then continue to Temple Pass. Thanks Luke. Fremont County, Wyoming, U.S. Parent range. Youll quickly gain altitude and find yourself on a ridge that overlooks the valley and lakes below, and the entire Wind River mountain range to the East. From Lake 10,542, travel northwest through the rugged valley containing Long Lake (Lake 10,683). This time of year they were impressive, and we considered camping towards the waterfalls, but there seemed to be nothing but steep hillsides there. We only saw one group of campers down by the lake. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). Located near Dubois, this trail is no joke. Its imperative to come prepared with a map and compass or GPS communicator/navigation device when backpacking in the Wind River Range. From what I can tell, they all still want the cred that comes with staking out Titcomb and the Cirque, though my last visit to the Cirque found it abandoned, even. Also, though I dont get many visitors, I have been surprised by a few emails telling me that places I didnt like were pleasant to them. All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. In fact, 19 of Wyoming's 20 highest peaks are in the Wind River Range and there are more than 40-named peaks rising above 13,000 feet. From Grave Lake by taking the Hailey Pass trail west to Pyramid Lake, then off-trail north up the East Fork Valley. At 8:30, we found ourselves camping closer to the water than Id like, but snowpack in the trees left us no choice. Related Read:Heres Why Leave No Trace Principles are So Damn Important. Also, this section is described in Pallister's book. A scenic drive is a great way to cover some ground and see the jaw-dropping scenery of Colorful Colorado. Why you should go: Travel through wildflower meadows, over plateaus, through creeks, and summit Wyomings tallest peak! It is non-technical, but may require technical gear in early-season. After about 10 minutes, we made it across, but it was sketchy. The section from Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque of the Towers will be the busiest part of the entire WRRT. 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.". Ben, thank you for visiting this page. Summit Lake is accessed from the Spring Creek Park Trailhead, which is best reached from Pinedale. The walk down did provide a ton of places you could campwell, not at the time of year we were there, because they were covered in about 4-5 feet of compacted snow. That said, please follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 200 feet away from any water sources and trails. We soon found that we were indeed on the trailwhich had been hidden by snow. If youre planning a Wind River Range backpacking trip at altitude, consider how hard youre trying to push yourself, and make sure you know how to tell if youre dehydrated or suffering from mild altitude sickness. If you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway, this ones for you! The trail begins at the Big Sandy Campground and offers a wide, well-marked walking path up to the lake. I dont know that this was the right choice, because the woods were thick and loaded with snow, which slowed us to a crawl. Of the many lakes reached by short hikes along the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park, Upper and Lower Cathedral Lake are generally thought to be the most beautiful, each surrounded by meadows and granite cliffs, without too many trees to block the views of nearby mountains. Even on this popular trail, finding solitude among the peaks is easy. It then bolted uptrail. 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. Photos (7) Directions. I still havent had this one proofread (slowly getting around to them all). You can reach Seneca Lake by parking at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek Trail from there. Related Read:6 Best Day Hikes in the Wind River Range. The range is also home to some of North America's largest glaciers. This would add about. From the Pass, follow the Osborne Mountain Route as described by Pallister and Kelsey. Jenny Lake is a popular area and . 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. Lakes such as Trapper Lake, Trail Lake, Gottfried Lakes, Borum Lake, and Summit Lake provide excellent campsite options and even better fishing! If you have any questions, comments, or anything else, feel free to post below. From Windy Lake Basin, make your way east to the top of the plateau, as described in Nancy Palister's book "Beyond Trails." Back at camp we packed up and headed toward Cathedral Lake. Try traveling this trail anytime between May and September, but remember: Its always a good idea to check the snowpack reports. Trailhead: Cathedral Lakes One of the most famous hikes in the world, this classic trek on the John Muir Trail is popular for both its incredible scenery and generally declining elevation. Cathedral Peak is situated 2 miles west of Cathedral Lake. Do make sure that you take the left in the forest just past Bald Mountain, though, or youll end up at Moccasin Lake. (It was really, really not fun, if I havent made that clear!). Dickinson Park to Middle Lake. It is unfortunately missed by most traverses of the range. Anyway, it was a pretty nice night. Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet over 13 miles 9,100 ft to 11,500 ft). Because the nearest station and this geographic feature . This is also a favorite one-nighter destination for campers with a knack for fly fishing, as Dads Lake offers some of the best high-country fly fishing in the Wind River Range. Anyway, we decided to meet up in Lander and leave moms car at the FS place, which they didnt care for, and most likely wont let you do. If you are hiking here in the warmth of July, you can come across some trouble finding a camp spot within Forest Service parameters. This trail can also be done in a shorter out-and-back fashion by just taking the Cirque of the Towers Trail to the Cirque before heading back, shaving the total mileage down to 18 miles. It made me hungry! Colorado truly lives up to its hype with its abundance of hot springs, dramatic sandstone formations, and majestic mountains. I will try and see if I can do justice to your pics. The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. I hear it can be pretty rough. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. After about 1.2 miles, among a few small tarns above the basin floor, cut north to Split Mountain Pass. If you're keen to avoid the crowds of families and impress your kids with some fun activities, check out these must-do items for any family visiting the Mile-High City. Planning your trip to the Titcomb Basin in September will get you away from the camp crowds and mosquitoes. 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. And, for now anyways, theyre all permit-free. Left - 2.7 billion year old metamorphic gneiss. Oops. 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. Two nights is the minimum recommendation. Did you have cell phone reception on the trail and around the lakes? To reach Peak Lake, continue west down the valley after Knapsack Col. Due to the nature of the WRRT, this trip is best savored by taking your time. There were plenty of outfitter-style places to camp for some reason, as you can see in the picture above. For speedier backpackers, Big Sandy Lake is a popular camping spot just under 6 miles from the Big Sandy trailhead. After that, its all downhill. Roaring Fork Trail is a true test of skill. All the information is there; there are no gray areas. 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! RV Weight . Snow sticks around until about May most years, and typically returns in September or October. Depending on where you decide to camp, there may or may not be trees large enough to create bear hangs, so bear canisters may be the most sensible option. At mile 4-ish we reached the trail intersection to Sanford Park, though we couldnt really discern it. This requires using Dickinson Park out of Lander, which itself requires crossing reservation land. If youre hiking, camping or backpacking, you can minimize your impact on the environment with Leave No Trace principles and ensure everyone has a good time with basic trail etiquette tips. I have hope, however, that the Mammoth has receded enough that there is a possible non-glacier route following the southern edge of the glacier. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. We followed the trail past Cook Lake, but it wasnt pretty and I didnt get pictures of the lake itself. It wasnt really difficult, but we made a lot more work for ourselves than we needed. Print/PDF map. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. Unless any of you are crazy enough to try it with me! Hike Type: Out and back, day-hike Difficulty Level: Moderate Permit: None required for day hiking. You will need a permit to camp at the lakes. Length 9.1 miElevation gain 1,102 ftRoute type Out & back. Dads Lake a great overnight trail for beginner backpackers. Unfortunately, wed wandered far from the trail and ended up on the hill overlooking Cloverleaf Lake. The lakes were very pretty and it had the best fishing in the Winds! The trail along the edge of the lake was a bit vague, with people trying different paths around large boulders and other obstacles, but we had no extreme difficulty. If so, I believe only slightly, for I've done my research based on the authorities on the Wind Rivers. The trail continued to be ugly, with only large boulders providing any scenery. She describes it as miserable. As we set up camp and got firewood, the sunset was awesome, though I didnt manage to get many very nice photos. We took the branch and came to the Middle Lake outlet almost immediately, and boy was it roaring. Related Read:The 11 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. (1), Southwest Arete Lost Temple Spire, IV, 5.10b. Groups should stay under 15 people and spread out to camp. There are 15 creek crossings along this trail! Why you should go: Cruise Wyomings Section 13 of the historic Continental Divide Trail. Mom lazed on a rock, snacking on jerky, while I caught a number of trout with ease! It lies 1.7 miles north of its more famous neighbor, Castle Peak (14,275 feet). Why you should go: Wildflowers and shimmery lakes meet steep granite walls on this classic trip through the Wind River Range. 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. They liked my Red Devil spoon the best, but sadly one grabbed it, snapped the line, and spat out the lure! From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. They are on leash Towers loop require you to move off-trail to link up with the trail! 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Names and its elevation above sea level is equal to 9954ft, well-maintained offers..., Castle Peak ( 14,275 feet ) thick pine forest highly accessible backpackers dream past Lake to... A short number of trout with ease backpack from Gregorys website today move off-trail link! Now anyways, theyre all permit-free same trail out that we were indeed on the trail to. At mile 4-ish we reached the trail intersection to Sanford Park, Wyoming such as previous!, weve put together a list of the historic Continental divide trail take frequent breaks prevent! Most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wyoming-Idaho-Montana Group of campers down by the U.S. Board on Names. That you are still going to Upper Titcomb Basin I still havent had this proofread... Lake by the outfitters backpacking in the Wind Rivers groups should stay under people. Meet steep granite walls on this classic trip through the Wind River Range lakes in short. 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