Cook Lakes to Wall Lake to Indian Basin to Titcomb Basin

[RyanP]

I am planning a trip in the Wind River range for this weekend and had a few last-minute questions. I already put up another post about preparing for the weather and general gear needed, so this post is more about the specific route itself. I am hoping to do some variation of the following route:

Day 1: Elkhart trailhead to Cook Lakes. Camp somewhere around Cook Lakes. Around 12 miles and 2k ft elevation gain. All on-trail according to the map, but I'm not sure how easy the trail is to follow there.

Day 2: Cook Lakes to Wall Lake to Indian Basin via "Wall-Island Pass". All "off-trail", although I'm not sure how much of a user trail to expect. Around 8 miles or so, with less than 1.5 kft gain. Camp somewhere in Indian Basin.

Day 3. Explore Indian basin, mostly without the heavy packs. Maybe move the tents to somewhere between Island Lake and the Titcomb Lakes.

Day 4. Day-hike up Titcomb basin to Bonney Pass and hopefully to Dinwoody Peak. Return to the same campsite (somewhere in the Island Lake/Indian Basin/Titcomb Lakes vicinity). 10-15 miles depending on the campsite location, with around 3k ft elevation gain. Not sure how hard the rocky terrain around Bonney Pass is.

Day 5. Return to the Elkhart Park trailhead. ~12 miles downhill.

OK, so here's my questions:

1. This route is a variation of one of the routes in the Nancy Pallister guidebook. She says the "crux" of the route is on the East side of Wall Lake. If anyone has done that section, how hard is it? I would like to do this route counter-clockwise (as described in the itinerary above) instead of clockwise as described in the guidebook; is one of the directions easier for this crux? I don't really want to do any class 3 scrambling with the heavy packs.

2. Are there any surprisingly tough areas on this route, either due to gnarly terrain, dense vegetation, or tough stretches to navigate? Should I expect any difficult stream crossings?

3. The guidebook suggests several optional add-ons such as Bald Mountain Basin (Spider Lake) and the upper Pole Creek area. I think I'm going to skip these so that I have time to explore upper Titcomb Basin and hopefully Dinwoody Peak, but if there are must-see areas to explore, please let me know.

4. Speaking of Dinwoody Peak, if anyone has climbed that, or even been up Bonney Pass, how rough/loose is the terrain? I don't mind a steep class 2 climb, but I don't really want miles and miles of big talus or loose rock.

5. My understanding is that there are plentiful camping options around Cook Lakes, Indian Basin, and Island Lake. Is that correct? Is it hard to find a good campsite at any of these three areas? Is Island Lake often too crowded to find a good free site? (I'm assuming there won't be crowds in Indian Basin or Cook Lakes?) Is it easy to find campsites in these areas (particularly Indian Basin) that have natural protection from the elements? Are there good camping options around the Pole Creek Lakes if we don't make it all the way to Cook Lakes on Day 1? If anyone has any favorite campsites in these areas that you'd like to share, I'd appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[Lincsco]

I'll help where I can. I haven't taken the pole creek trail into Cook Lakes but that strikes me as pretty long first day with heavy packs. I'm sure you can do it but get an early start. I've found that if storms are going to hit, they generally do so in the early afternoon.

I've taken a non-marked trail from cook, around the east side of wall, to where it joins with the marked trail by island lake. I remember it being pretty straightforward and easy to follow.

Spider lake is is pretty and there is a off-trail pass over into the Golden Lakes which are amazing. But if you haven't seen Titcomb, I would plan to spend my time in there.

I haven't been up Dinwoody or Bonney but please post a report if you do either.

There is great camping all along your route. There will surely be other people camped from the southeast end of Island all through Titcomb and probably up in Indian. However, the beauty generally outweighs the lack for solitude. I like camping in the middle of Titcomb, either in between the two large lakes or at the base of the southern one. There are other people but the views are amazing. There is also a little bluff on the West side of the lake that is worth climbing and watching the stars come out over the basin. On your last night, you can follow Island Lake to the northwest side where there are far fewer people and some great camping spots. You can also follow the drainage (which is also beautiful) down to Fremont crossing and hit the water slide on your way out. It's labeled on some maps or I can give you directions if you need it.

 

[RyanP]

Thanks for the reply Linsco! You said, "I like camping in the middle of Titcomb, either in between the two large lakes or at the base of the southern one". This sounds great to me, especially because it would cut some mileage off of the big Dinwoody Peak day hike (Day 4). Are there many campsite options in that area that have natural shelter/protection from the wind? I'm worried about camping in too exposed/high of a location, because I've only camped above treeline once or twice and I don't want to risk things in the middle of the Winds!

 

[Lincsco]

No, unfortunately there isn't much shelter in Titcomb. You're above tree line. Make sure you have extra guylines and stakes in case it gets windy. You may be able to find a spot behind a large rock but I wouldn't plan on it. Besides, the winds seem to shift oftentimes between afternoon/evening. They generally die down around night but you never know.

If you're looking for a more sheltered site, Island Lake is probably your closest option. Or, try the drainage between Island and Freemont Crossing. I've never slept there but I would like to. It's very sheltered and you're sure to have some good solitude.

 

[OldBill]

I've made Upper Cook from Elkhart in 1 day on 2 separate Sept trips with 25lb pack. Early start and you're in camp by 3-4pm. Pay attention as trail sometimes disappears in the willows but it's easily found. Nice camping all over. Pole Ck crossing is usually easy this time of year. Many times water shoes aren't even necessary.

Cairns mark the way at Wall but locating them is sometimes difficult. Not a route I'd feel comfortable doing with wet rock but it's certainly only Class 2 at worst. I haven't gone beyond the inlet at Wall as I was fishing, but a few folks did pass by in that direction. Fairly well-traveled route, even at that time of year.