Greetings from the West Side of the Winds (Wind River range)

[windsbee]

I've been lurking here for a while as I try to plan trips in the Southern Absorkas (from DuBois) and the Gros Ventre. I am up for many adventures but backpack wiht a few folks wiht stricter physical limitations so I keep looking for ideas for these more remote areas that should be within our grasp. I hike, bicycle and ski in the northern end of the Wind River Range and live there as well. I could probably spend the rest of my life just exploring my area but I like to go see other mountains and valleys from time to time. We hiked the Norhtern half of the Wyoming Range last summer and hope to finish off the south half when the snow melts this summer.

 

[Bob]

Nice .... Welcome.

Scat and I are headed to the Wyoming's last week in June, depending on snowpack. Doing the entire traverse from S to N. Any important info on the north half?

 

[windsbee]

HI Bob, This year the south half of the range is in deeper snow than the north. I am headed out to ski on Wyoming pk this weekend so I'm not sure what you will get the last week of June but at the least snowfields to post hole through. Of the entire range the Scenic Trail is a mostly unmaintained route, used in winter for snow machines in summer its an elk trail, a use trail or no trail so don't expect a clearly marked path and then you will be fine. Of the North half, Camping and water are hard to come by on the N section and the "sure water" at Gunsite pass was a very muddy mess you don't want to use that one. There were a lot of blowdowns coming into the little grey's river area last year. There should be more water this year however every water/camp area suggested by the forest service was unusable last year so camp as soon as you find a decent area./ Around the numbered creeks there is no trail and nav is easiest with a good old-fashioned compass. We learned to carry more water than we do in the winds so we could take advantage of nice campsites and skip steep scrambles into lesser water sources. We had a standoff with a Moose at 4th creek and had to brushwhack around.

The ground is hummocky everywhere so bring a thick pad, there was a wolf pack that followed us for days and lots of bear scat so be prepared for that. Finally, the FS designated the end of the trail further N than it is and the trail along willow creek becomes a bog so we exited out Adam's creek and with alter exploration determined this is the best route. The trailhead is found here (turn off 191 at the fiberglass moose). It probably goes without saying but your last day is deep in willows full of moose and sometimes bear so have water shoes and be prepared.

I hope that helps!

 

[Mike K]

there was a wolf pack that followed us for days

That sounds like an interesting story! Wow.

 

[Bob]

HI Bob, This year the south half of the range is in deeper snow than the north. I am headed out to ski on Wyoming pk this weekend so I'm not sure what you will get the last week of June but at the least snowfields to post hole through. Of the entire range the Scenic Trail is a mostly unmaintained route, used in winter for snow machines in summer its an elk trail, a use trail or no trail so don't expect a clearly marked path and then you will be fine. Of the North half, Camping and water are hard to come by on the N section and the "sure water" at Gunsite pass was a very muddy mess you don't want to use that one. There were a lot of blowdowns coming into the little grey's river area last year. There should be more water this year however every water/camp area suggested by the forest service was unusable last year so camp as soon as you find a decent area./ Around the numbered creeks there is no trail and nav is easiest with a good old-fashioned compass. We learned to carry more water than we do in the winds so we could take advantage of nice campsites and skip steep scrambles into lesser water sources. We had a standoff with a Moose at 4th creek and had to brushwhack around.

The ground is hummocky everywhere so bring a thick pad, there was a wolf pack that followed us for days and lots of bear scat so be prepared for that. Finally, the FS designated the end of the trail further N than it is and the trail along willow creek becomes a bog so we exited out Adam's creek and with alter exploration determined this is the best route. The trailhead is found here (turn off 191 at the fiberglass moose). It probably goes without saying but your last day is deep in willows full of moose and sometimes bear so have water shoes and be prepared.

I hope that helps!

Sounds great. I know there is basiclly no trail, Scat will love that.....I have it plotted using Caltopo and Google Earth, you can see most or the route. Wildlife will be nice with a scarcity of people. The snotel sites are coming down fast, so it looks by mid June it all should be normal. Windsbee.....send or post the report on skiing Wyoming Peak, you should be able to eyeball some of the area....

Thanks.

 

[Janice]

We'll be in the southern Winds in August, so I hope you won't mind if I reach out as it gets closer to learn about conditions then. Keeping my fingers and toes crossed that the bugs won't be too horrible...