Texas Pass Cirque of Towers Lower Wind River Range August 2018

[pstm13]

I was hoping to get some specific information about Texas Pass. I plan to take my son and daughter through the Cirque of Towers from the Big Sandy trail head the second week of August. We will of course turn around and go out the way we came if I don't feel comfortable for any reason. I have read several reports and blogs on the subject but still don't feel settled on the issue so I thought I would as for some advice. If I overlooked a post with the following information I apologize in advance.

My kids are teenagers and I would rate them as intermediate level backpackers.
-Should we travel clockwise or counter clockwise through the Texas and Jackass Pass loop?
-Should I avoid Texas Pass all together?
-Fishing suggestions on lakes and lures/flies?
-How brutal is the road to the Big Sandy trail head?
-Does 3 days and 2 nights sound reasonable?
-Camp site suggestions?

 

[Dreamer]

1: I like clockwise. It is steep and a bit loose on the north side use trail and I prefer to climb that though it is not too bad to descend. A trekking pole is helpful.

2: Do it. I don’t know your kids, but intermediate skills should cover it. Great views, some work and you get the loop.

3: Not a skilled fisher, but I like a Griffith’s Gnat. Not dead certain but I think all the lakes around there have brookies at least, Shadow has lots of smalls.

4: The last few miles can be rough, but unless something has changed since last season, a passenger car driven with attention should be fine.

5: Sure, add a day if you want to hang out more or go slower.

6: This is a very well traveled area of the Winds and you will find nice use campsites all over, especially at the lakes. Shadow has nice views and sets you up for an early climb.

Texas Pass north side

 

[pstm13]

You rock!

 

[b.stark]

I'll help a bit with fishing. far as flies, size 12 and 16 copper johns are a high country staple for me. hares ears are good too. a few woolly buggers can be helpful. for dries, elk hair caddis or simulators seem to work well, but strangely I'm not much of a dry fly fisherman. there are plenty of other flies that can work too but those are my most consistent producers.

On standard gear, plain size 0 brass vibrax is one of my favorites. jakes money clips and little cleos also work well, especially when you have to go really deep or cast far.

 

[pstm13]

That's some great advice.

 

[Bob]

Texas pass not hard .... Just steep. Pretty decent use trail down north side talus.... Fishing I spin fish and use almost exclusively all thru the winds Jake's money clip gold and red spots... Out fish fly fishers all the time.....

 

[pstm13]

Texas pass not hard .... Just steep. Pretty decent use trail down north side talus.... Fishing I spin fish and use almost exclusively all thru the winds Jake's money clip gold and red spots... Out fish fly fishers all the time.....

I’ll check it out. I’m taking my 11 year old daughter so I’ll see how she feels about the steep part.

 

[Wolverine1875]

Headed to The Cirque (from Dickinson Park TH) in Aug 2019...2 llamas will be helping so the kids (ages 13, 11, 11) can carry less. 5 nights/6 days...cant wait!