Help! First Trip to the Winds.

[Blake Merrell]

Of my trips to the Winds, I would say Island Lake, Titcomb basin, Indian Basin, and climbing Fremont are absolute highlights. See my trip report here:
http://forums.backpacker.com/topic/trip-report-wind-river-2012-8803801/

Be sure to carry plenty of water for Fremont. I've climbed it twice and have ran short both times. It is very exposed to the sun. If you have any questions about route finding let me know. I may be able to help.

I saw on metalbackpacker's website where the route around Alpine Lakes is tricky. I've never descended over the east side of Indian Pass but that would be quite a wild area to explore.

Look forward to reading a trip report when you get back.
Have a great trip!

Published by Backpacker! Nice Thanks for the link. I am glad when people tell me that the places I hope to see are some of their favorites.

Navigaitng through the Alpine Lakes Area is probably my biggest concern right now... hopefully we get in and out with out to much problem.

 

[Nick]

Published by Backpacker! Nice Thanks for the link.

That's just the Backpacker forum. I know a way better one though.

 

[Blake Merrell]

Haha! I see.... I agree. I just joined a fb backpacking group. Needless to say, it drives me crazy! BCP is definitely my favorite online hang out. Geat content, and the members are super helpful!

 

[seekinglost]

Wow that's a great weight for 6 days of food! I brought 13 pounds of food for my 8 day hike in the Winds last year and still lost 15-20 pounds. I'm getting ready to plan out my meals for 9 days in the Uintas next week and I was looking at bringing 18 pounds of food, 2 pounds per day. Shooting for closer to 4000 calories/day. I don't need/want to lose any more weight, but I know I will lose some no matter what on this next trek.

As for Alpine Lakes, yeah that area is wild. No trails up there and can be scary working your way along some of those rocky slopes along the lakes. But, very doable... just give yourself more time in this section than you expect. Coming down from Alpine Pass, take the right (west) side of the Alpine Lakes, and stay higher up on the ridge along side it. I went down to the water and tried to work my way around the shoreline at first before realizing it was impossible, and had to head to higher ground for a passable route.

 

[Bob]

Holly C*** 2 lbs food per day? I'd gain weight.....
Check out Pallisters book on the Winds......shows the routes around the Alpine lakes, can do either side.

 

[Blake Merrell]

Tomorrow is the day! Follow is virtually here:

http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0u1pdxld7Z0ACWnfXR1bh6FRq4hPvevxd

 

[Artemus]

Well? What up?

 

[Blake Merrell]

Well? What up?

Working on it

 

[Artemus]

Working on it

You're home? Safe? Did you cross the Divide?

 

[Blake Merrell]

You're home? Safe? Did you cross the Divide?

We did not make it across the divide. On day one, my buddy (who had a 65lb pack...*face palm*) got some major shin splints. amazingly he pushed through our hikes everyday, but when it came to us hiking over Alpine Pass, I got really worried about him surviving that part of the trip. He was struggling walking on the actual trails, and off trail hiking would have been way worse. no way I wanted the liability of getting him out of those places if something went wrong.

So.... we adjusted plans and ended up spending some more time near Island Lake and hiking back to the car the same way we came in.

All in all, it was a great trip! I was able to summit Fremont, spend 1.5 days in Titcomb, camp in Indian Basin, Visit Knifepoint, and enjoy a whole day at Island lake!

Can't wait to get back and see more!!

 

[Blake Merrell]

Now that I think about it, I did actually cross the divide! haha. stood on top of it when at the top of Freemont, and when we visited Knifepoint we went on the other side.