wind rivers

One item in my list from To Do in 2024 was to spend 5 weeks in WY, mostly in the Winds. Not everything went as planned: (a) Lead a few from my local hiking group on a 40 m S. Winds loop - Done, but a second group had to cancel (b) Attempt some tougher destinations before I get any older -...

Last week, I had the opportunity to return to my all-time favorite backpacking region. From my previous trip there five years ago, I had memories of numerous gorgeous, deserted basins with easy off-trail travel between many of them. This time there were way more people (at least 10x as...

It's been a while since I've posted a trip report - and there's a few worthy trips that precede this one I'd still like to write up at some point. (Including a really fun one from June w/ @Nethos in the Pecos Wilderness.) However, this one was spectacular and I have an abundance of pictures, so...

We first set foot on the trail to begin this trip on August 3rd, but the origins of it dated back to early April. It was at that point that I talked four of my oldest friends and hiking buddies into joining me in the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park as I'd pulled a permit that...

Planned this year to go with @Bob for loops through Bear Basin and/or across the Divide to fish the lower Fitzpatrick Wilderness. Also made plans for one of my favorite off trail fishing spots in the Popo Agia Wilderness. The weather and the mountains had other plans. Bought tickets in January...

Met Oldbill in Pinedale, originally was headed over to the east side for some fishing, but iffy weather changed our plans. Stated out from Elkhart TH, crowded which was surprising for September. All in all by the end of the trip we saw over 80 hikers. Not any pictures till the requisite Photo...

This year - for the first time - my oldest son joined my brother and I on our yearly "guys trip". Obviously we cut down the intensity a lot from our normal trips, but this one ended up about as special as any of the others. And very relaxing, too! I'd always had Silas Canyon flagged as a...

Spent September in the Wind Rivers: 10 days with girlfriend, 10 with nephew and last 10 solo. About 100 miles with 3 backpacks and a few day hikes. Rough start. Girlfriend's flight to Jackson was delayed 12 hours. I'd flown to Salt Lake the day before. Picked her up at 10:30pm, got into Lander...

9/1 - 9/5/21 (4 nights) 2021 Bag Nights: 24 I drove up from Colorado to the Scab Creek Trailhead. The weather forecast said 50% chance of thunderstorms for the next couple of days. There were waves of rain on the highway, but everything looked good as I got closer to the trailhead. I got my...

All good things come to an end. Today was our last day and it was set up to be less dramatic, mostly through a long green tunnel to our exit, or was it? Thursday - July 29, 2021 Day 7: Beaver...

Our first rain after being out for 5 days, and then a whole bunch more would highlight Day 6 along the Wind River High Route. Wednesday - July 28, 2021 Day 6: Titcomb Basin to Beaver Park MILES...

A whole lot of cross-country route-finding, a walk across Europe, followed by two more passes would take us through Day 4 along this Wind River high route. Monday - July 26, 2021 MILES: 13 | GAIN: 2,717 ft Another blissful, cozy, and comfy sleep. Another morning waking...

Two passes with a whole lot of off-trail and cross-country navigation, lots of talus hopping, and some bushwhacking would set the stage for Day Three. After some convincing at the urgent request of @Bob, I now present to all of you fellow BCP friends: DAY THREE. ;) Sunday - July 25, 2021...

For Day 2 along this Wind River High Route, we aim for a 2nd bucket list destination in as many days: Desolation Valley... Saturday - July 24, 2021 Day 2: Cirque of the Towers to Desolation Valley MILES: 11.5 | GAIN: 2,275 ft Surprisingly, it never got real cold through the first night, even...

The Wind River High Route. Another big bucket list item gets checked off as @Blake Merrell and I set off to complete the biggest and most challenging trip to date for either of us... This trip became another dream come true that started when Blake reached out and asked if I wanted to join up...

Finally got around to writing up last year's Wind's trip. Bob already posted the Lee L loop so this will have just a few pics from that part. Trip started badly. Delayed flight into MSP caused me to miss a connection. I purposely booked the flight to have a 2 hr layover, but the airline...

This was a fantastic trip and finally got me up into a section of the Winds I'd been looking to visit for years. Originally planned as a loop from Green River Lakes TH, conditions/conditioning necessitated some adjustments that resulted in a one-way trip from Green River Lakes to the Glacier...

With an Invite from Oldbill, I joined his party for a 3 night loop. 34 miles from the Scab creek TH ........ First nights stop, Dream Lake ........ On past the Fremont trail junction ........... Rainbow Lake ........ Headed down from Rainbow Pass to Lee Lake .......... Night two...

Now I know why so many of you rave about the Winds! This trip was breathtaking in so many ways - jaw-dropping eye-candy plus challenging hiking that made me huff and puff more than I would like. I have never seen so many lakes in my life. We had a fabulous trip - gorgeous scenery, great weather...

I'd put together a little "bonus" Wind River trip when laying out my longer trip coming up this September and wasn't sure when/if I'd get a chance to do it. When my wife/kids ended up going out of town for a long weekend, I figured I should take advantage and see what I could do. It was a...