Green River Lakes TH to New Fork Lake TH

[andyjaggy]

I'm debating a 3-4 day winds trip the first week of August. I've only ever spent time in the southern section of the range. Big Sandy, Cirque, Temple Lake, etc... However I have been really impressed with images I have seen from Green River Lakes area. Looking at the map it looks like you could make a really nice through hike starting at Green River Lakes TH, going up to Three Forks Park, crossing over to Lozier Lakes, and then heading down to New Fork Park and then down to New Fork Lake TH. Has anyone done it or had any experience in the area?

 

[Nick]

I've done the part from Green River Lakes up to the turnoff to Lozier. It's a long hike to that point but it was much nicer than I expected it to be. I bet you'd have some serious solitude after the turnoff to Lozier. Personally, I think it's worth taking the extra time and going over Shannon Pass and out at Elkhart. The seems to get much better the closer you get to the divide.

 

[andyjaggy]

I'll only have four days, so I was trying to keep it a bit short. any other suggestions for that amount of time?

 

[Bob]

Loop up to Faler lake and into Bear Basin and back to GR TH via Golden Lks, Slide Lk....... some really remote, hardly visited country.

 

[Nick]

With just 4 days, I'd probably opt for an out and back and avoid having to take two vehicles or hire a shuttle. If you've never been to the north end, something out of Elkhart would be a good intro to the north. You can do a nice lolli-loop using Pole Creek and Lester Pass. I did something like that in July a couple years ago. TR here:

http://backcountrypost.com/forum/threads/cook-lakes-loop-wind-rivers.1042/

 

[andyjaggy]

Faler lake looks really nice, Clear lake below it looks wonderful as well. You've both given me something to think about..... but most of all I think I am realizing I need at least a week in the Winds for a good trip. I guess next year.

 

[Nick]

Yeah, the winds call for longer trips for sure. 4 days is the absolutely minimum up there, IMO. 5-7 is perfect.

 

[andyjaggy]

I wasn't originally planning on going there this year, and was just going to stick with some of my targets in the Uintas. The more I thought about it though the more I decided I really wanted to get up there again, it's been over 5 years since I've been in the Wind Rivers, and I miss it.

 

[uintahiker]

I think I am realizing I need at least a week in the Winds for a good trip. I guess next year.

ANY trip to the Winds is a good trip! Get on up there for the 4 days you have- you won't regret going. Especially since you're missing it after 5 years away. Besides, it will help you be more determined on your next trip.

 

[andyjaggy]

For sure, I am definitely still going to go. In the past I don't think we ever spent more than 3 nights up there. My dad and I would usually hike in to Black Joe Lake and setup camp, then day hike to the Cirque or Temple Lakes during the day or two we were there. Generally speaking I usually prefer that more laid back type of approach to my trips, though a long 50+ mile through/loop hike is something I definitely want to do.

 

[andyjaggy]

http://www.trailspace.com/forums/trip-reports/topics/133367.html

This guy did a very similar trip to what I have been thinking. Instead of heading down New Fork they head down Porcupine back to Green River Lakes. That would avoid having to shuttle a car and still gives unique scenery for the trip. The Clark Lake and Lozier Lakes area looks really nice, I doubt many people go that direction either. I really think I am going to give this a shot in August. It's not as rugged as some of the Winds stuff, but there is a good chance I might end up doing this solo, so I might want something a bit tamer.

 

[andyjaggy]

I talked to my wife about this trip, and she does NOT want me to do it solo, mumbled something about why do you want to leave me a widow, or something like that. I probably shouldn't have told her that there have been grizzly sightings in the northern Winds the past few years. If anyone wants a to do a trip August 6th -10th, you could help save my plans.

 

[Nanda]

I talked to my wife about this trip, and she does NOT want me to do it solo, mumbled something about why do you want to leave me a widow, or something like that. I probably shouldn't have told her that there have been grizzly sightings in the northern Winds the past few years. If anyone wants a to do a trip August 6th -10th, you could help save my plans.

I am looking for a winds backpacking trip in aug/sep as well. Let's keep in touch. I might do a separate canoeing trip up first to the lakes there.

 

[andyjaggy]

I bet canoeing on Green River Lakes would be a blast. Lets touch base as thing get closer.

 

[uintahiker]

I used to go on canoe trips up there. We'd canoe across the first lake, tie ropes on the front of the canoes and pull them up the river to the second lake, then canoe across the upper lake and camp on the west side of the inlet. Lots of good times up there!

 

[Dave]

Did anything ever come of these plans? I'm considering hitting up Faler Lake the first week of September.

 

[Bob]

I'll be coming out thru there about Sept 4 from the south

 

[andyjaggy]

I had a couple people interested but due to the fact that I was going to the Pacific NW for 9 days the following week I wasn't able to do the trip anymore. It looks like one more year without the windrivers for me.