Alpine Col, Knifepoint Glacier (Skurka's Wind River HR - Loop 4) Question

[raft_man]

Hey folks,

I'm considering doing a version of Skurka's Wind River HR Loop 4 this summer solo (with a few side quests). My goal is to fish some lakes for golden trout, explore the Alpine Lakes area, Knifepoint Glacier, Indian Basin, etc. Maybe Wall Lake. I feel pretty decent about my skill level (last year, I did a loop in the John Muir that included Standing Bear Pass, Italy Pass, and BearRoyce Pass). I'm comfortable with Class 2 passes, but have never hiked across a glacier.

My big question is timing. I'm trying to line up good fishing (near ice-out) with "good" travel through the Alpine Lakes / Alpine Pass / Angel Pass / Indian Pass. Obviously, every year is different, but generally speaking, for anyone who has traveled through these areas, would Mid July be an okay time to be able to navigate those passes without too much snow? I'll be bringing microspikes probably and I understand that Alpine Col & Knifepoint Glacier will have snow.

I'm debating between going roughly from July 16-24 or July 21-July 30

Thanks for any insight / beta.

- Michael

 

[raft_man]

Sorry, this should have been posted in the "trip Planning' Section. Can a mod move it? thanks!

 

[Bob]

Lol ....... Sk**** is a bad name in my book ..... Snow is usually gone at Big Sandy by early July.
Here is my High Route we did years befopre Sk****. We went 3rd week in August and fishing was fantastic the entire way. Caught so many all the time got tired of eatring fish. Red line is the actual route. The yellow was what we were supposed to do, but got weathered out as it is the toughest section. I've since done that part. Don't over estimate your mileage, It's high elevation and demanding. Ground miles are about 12% to 15% than map miles.

You will cross Grasshopper Glacier. Not bad, but you could get in trouble if not paying attention. Betweeen Grasshopper and Gannet is a realyyh unstable morraine area.

Alpine lakes have no fish. Upper Golden is really the only lkae along the so called High Route that has Goldens. Goldens are hard to come by. Research this: https://test-wgfd.pantheonsite.io/sites/default/files/2023-07/Bridger_FishingGuide.pdf

PM me with any questions

Click here to view on CalTopo