Hello,
I'm planning a 13 day backpacking trip in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness later this month. My pre-trip research led me to this forum. There seem to be several experts on the area here, and I'd love some feedback on a few things. I have my route mostly planned out, but I'm curious about a few things. First, I'll provide a description of the route I'm planning:
Start at Turpin Meadows and end at Brooks Lake. I have a Facebook friend that will probably be able to shuttle me from Brooks Lake to Turpin Meadows before I start. If that doesn't work out, I'll hike back to Turpin Meadows via Cub Creek and the South Fork of the Buffalo River.
Days 1-5: Turpin Meadows to Bridger Lake, with hopefully a full layover day to explore the upper North Fork of the Buffalo River above North Fork Falls.
Day 6: Layover day at Bridger Lake.
Days 7-10: Bridger Lake to the headwaters of the South Fork of the Yellowstone River, Marston Pass, and Ferry Lake. I hope to include a side trip to Younts Peak.
Days 11-13: Mostly off-trail on the Continental Divide from Ferry Lake to Brooks Lake. I also hope to include a side trip to Wall Mountain.
A few questions:
1) Has anyone here climbed Hawks Rest? The terrain looks reasonable on the south side, but the bushwhacking might be pretty terrible.
2) My guidebook mentions that an ice axe may be necessary to get through the stretch of trail northeast of Marston Pass before August. Has anyone been through there in late July? I'd rather not carry my ice axe on this trip.
3) Most of the route along the Continental Divide looks straight forward, but there is one spot northeast of Crescent Mountain (43.85574, -109.83508) that looks steep and may be tricky. Is anyone familiar with that stretch?
4) It sounds like most people hike from Perry N Boday Lake to Brooks Lake by going down Cub Creek and then through Bear Cub Pass. My preference would be to stay on the divide and come down near Bonneville Pass. Has anyone here tried that route?
Thanks in advance for the help!
I'm planning a 13 day backpacking trip in Wyoming's Teton Wilderness later this month. My pre-trip research led me to this forum. There seem to be several experts on the area here, and I'd love some feedback on a few things. I have my route mostly planned out, but I'm curious about a few things. First, I'll provide a description of the route I'm planning:
Start at Turpin Meadows and end at Brooks Lake. I have a Facebook friend that will probably be able to shuttle me from Brooks Lake to Turpin Meadows before I start. If that doesn't work out, I'll hike back to Turpin Meadows via Cub Creek and the South Fork of the Buffalo River.
Days 1-5: Turpin Meadows to Bridger Lake, with hopefully a full layover day to explore the upper North Fork of the Buffalo River above North Fork Falls.
Day 6: Layover day at Bridger Lake.
Days 7-10: Bridger Lake to the headwaters of the South Fork of the Yellowstone River, Marston Pass, and Ferry Lake. I hope to include a side trip to Younts Peak.
Days 11-13: Mostly off-trail on the Continental Divide from Ferry Lake to Brooks Lake. I also hope to include a side trip to Wall Mountain.
A few questions:
1) Has anyone here climbed Hawks Rest? The terrain looks reasonable on the south side, but the bushwhacking might be pretty terrible.
2) My guidebook mentions that an ice axe may be necessary to get through the stretch of trail northeast of Marston Pass before August. Has anyone been through there in late July? I'd rather not carry my ice axe on this trip.
3) Most of the route along the Continental Divide looks straight forward, but there is one spot northeast of Crescent Mountain (43.85574, -109.83508) that looks steep and may be tricky. Is anyone familiar with that stretch?
4) It sounds like most people hike from Perry N Boday Lake to Brooks Lake by going down Cub Creek and then through Bear Cub Pass. My preference would be to stay on the divide and come down near Bonneville Pass. Has anyone here tried that route?
Thanks in advance for the help!