Thinking about this Wind River Route.

Hiker Seth

Member
Joined
May 15, 2019
Messages
90
I would do it in a clockwise manner, putting the hammer down day one to get closer to the good stuff. Last year I did Elkhart to upper Cook lake in a day and had plenty left in the tank, so I think it's within reason. I may go up the Rainbow Lake trail instead of looping around to Middle Fork from the bottom of the valley, and I may do Spearpoint instead of Loch Leven based on fishing intel. Remove the satellite layer to see the route better.

Gonna make a decision on this or the Beartooths by the end of July. Thoughts or feedback?

Edit: Based on current flight prices ($1000 to Montana and back vs FREE to SLC) I'm heading to the Winds. Route has been modified to fit new time constraints. Love that it shows up in real time here.


<iframe width="100%" height="500px" src=" Click here to view on CalTopo"></iframe>
 
Last edited:
Looks like an awesome route. Can't speak much as to the feasibility, but it definitely looks like your off-trail portions should go, based on the topo and some other reports I've read elsewhere. That first day will be pretty dang long, but the terrain should make it so it's not too difficult. The miles from Big Sandy to Washakie Creek fly by. Not much elevation change per mile. So I'd guess it stays the same as you continue on since the terrain looks pretty similar. And I love how quiet and calm the meadows are on the Fremont Trail above Marms Lake. In spite of more dramatic scenery to the east, that may have been the highlight of my trip to the area last year.

I'm headed to Big Sandy and onto parts of this route (snow on the passes permitting) in two days, so I can weigh in a bit more when I get back. Really hoping we have time for the East Fork Lakes and good enough conditions to make it over Hailey Pass. We shall see.
 
Looks like a fun route. It is all doable but you have to know better about the daily mileage than we do for you.
 
Looks good.... couple suggestions, been over a large portion of your route. Spwearpoint lk instead. At the saddle between Raid and Bonneville pk.... go a hard north, you can get down thru the small saddle to Bonneville, saves some elevation. Go all the way to Sheila lk before going up, some large rocks but easily doable thru that saddle. Camp by Shelia...nicer. Noel lake is neat.. (goldens), Lee lk has goldens. Id go out by Rainbow....but I like offtrail. Could start at Sweetwater TH instead....some neat, not traveled much till Ice lks. Could do Wind River pk on the way.
 
Looks good.... couple suggestions, been over a large portion of your route. Spwearpoint lk instead. At the saddle between Raid and Bonneville pk.... go a hard north, you can get down thru the small saddle to Bonneville, saves some elevation. Go all the way to Sheila lk before going up, some large rocks but easily doable thru that saddle. Camp by Shelia...nicer. Noel lake is neat.. (goldens), Lee lk has goldens. Id go out by Rainbow....but I like offtrail. Could start at Sweetwater TH instead....some neat, not traveled much till Ice lks. Could do Wind River pk on the way.

Thanks, Bob. I think Sweetwater TH would make the route far too long for my time window. Appreciate the feedback on the route, lakes, and fishing. Have you been to Mendarrin lake?
 
Looks like an awesome route. Jealous. Not sure what snow will be like in the higher parts of your route, but you're obviously keeping your eye on that.

  • Long first day, but I can't argue against the logic to just get done with that section. =)
  • I though Middle Fork Boulder Creek was nice - camped along there once (on granite). Haven't been by Rainbow.
  • Could skip Loch Leven, although I think we caught some bows out of there. (Maybe check out Spearpoint instead - I've never been to it but I've always wanted to and Bob suggested it).
  • The route from Valentine to Cathedral might be brutal. One time we tried to day hike UP that (from Cathedral) and it was a boulder-hop-fest and we gave up part of the way (granted I was with a pretty weak group). There was a mama and cub grizz in the area that day, too.
  • I thought Medarrin was cool.
  • I love approaching the Cirque from the east. Very cool.
  • Consider adding Black Joe, Clear, Deep, Temple? Nice little loop/area.
What's the mileage and projected number of days/nights? And what dates? (Edit: answered my own question about how many days/nights).

Good luck!
 
Last edited:
Thanks, Bob. I think Sweetwater TH would make the route far too long for my time window. Appreciate the feedback on the route, lakes, and fishing. Have you been to Mendarrin lake?
Nope.... Halls lk and Europe lks are good fishing... A little north. Halls less people than Europe. Yeah Sweetwater would be longer .... But not a fan of Sandy or the Cirque
 
@Mike K Thanks for the intel on Cathedral. I went back and re-read Pallister's description. Might be more than I want to tackle alone.

@Bob I haven't seen the Cirque so I figure I need to at least once.
 
As to cathedral valley - the decent can be made easier by rounding Mount Chauvenet to the north and dropping down to the west of the intermittent creek flowing to Cathedral Lk. I have not done the direct route (see pics below) to the intersection due to snow. Lots of big rocks and dense vegetation around Cathedral Lk. There is an easy route that sometimes appears.
The climb out of Mendarrin appeared to have some sloping ledge that was all wet when I was there. An alternate is to gain Lizard Head by travel east of Cook Lk then ascend the ridge to the south and follow west.

654A1A5B-6588-4F32-9CCA-89D77A9B83C5.jpeg


4FCEC1CB-6BAF-4B82-8916-23D29AB00E01.jpeg
 
As to cathedral valley - the decent can be made easier by rounding Mount Chauvenet to the north and dropping down to the west of the intermittent creek flowing to Cathedral Lk. I have not done the direct route (see pics below) to the intersection due to snow. Lots of big rocks and dense vegetation around Cathedral Lk. There is an easy route that sometimes appears.
The climb out of Mendarrin appeared to have some sloping ledge that was all wet when I was there. An alternate is to gain Lizard Head by travel east of Cook Lk then ascend the ridge to the south and follow west.

View attachment 79463


View attachment 79464

That is some class A photo intel. Thank you very much.
 
Yep, I have pictures from that day that I can point you to if you want to see them.
Appreciate the thought but I have modified the route to skip Mendarrin due to my trip losing a day. Probably just go over Lizard Head plateau instead.
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
Perry Thinking About Getting WFR Certified General Discussion 13
Perry Thinking Seriously About a Real Camera Photography 33
kimbur96 Want to plan my first multi day trip, thinking Continental Divide NST Trip Planning 3
uintahiker Thinking about getting new boots Gear 7
Upgrayedd Union and Gunsight Passes - Wind Rivers Trip Planning 4
meowtaingal Wind river high route mid september Trip Planning 7
Bob Wind Rivers - Short Trip to Cook Lake Trip Reports 9
D Wind River offtrail route questions Trip Planning 28
W Greetings from the West Side of the Winds (Wind River range) Noobs: Introduce yourself! 5
marquiri Wind River Range - Angel Pass Trip Planning 24
Mikjik86 Backpacking The Wind River Range - Wyoming, September 2022 Trip Reports 3
OldBill Roaming the Wind Rivers, September 2022 Backpacking 8
R Wind River Range: Green River Lakes/Clarks Trail/Porcupine Creek Trail Trip Planning 3
Mikjik86 Another Wind River Trip Planning! Elkhart/Titcomb/Knapsack/Shannons Pass loop back to Elkhart, or continue to Green River Lakes Trailhead? Trip Planning 10
wsp_scott Wind River Range Sept 2021 (part 2) Backpacking 4
wsp_scott Wind River Range Sept 2021 (part 1) Backpacking 16
B Wind river range mid sept. Trip Planning 8
andyjaggy Wind River Range Roberts Mountain Trip Planning 4
marquiri Wind River Range - September 2022 Trip Planning 31
Mountain Wanderer First time in the Wind Rivers Backpacking 4
TheMountainRabbit Northern Wind River Traverse (Bridger/Fitzpatrick Wilderness) - September 2021 Backpacking 16
Bob Wind Rivers - Lee Lake Loop Backpacking 6
Bob Sand Creek Fire - Wind Rivers General Discussion 0
A Wind Rivers: Clear Lake, Faler Lake and Roaring Fork General Discussion 7
D Wind River Blowdown Trip Planning 2
westy Wind River Range Backpacking 4
OldBill Short Bear Basin exploration, Wind Rivers Trip Planning 7
Artemus Wind River Mountains Conditions 2021 Trip Planning 17
eobie Wind River Blowdowns Situtation... Trip Planning 14
wsp_scott Wind River Range (beginning of Sept 2021) Meet Up (Members Only) 11
Bob Wind Rivers ..... for those getting the itch ........ Backpacking 2
TheMountainRabbit NW Wind River Range (Bridger Wilderness) - August 2020 Backpacking 3
travel2walk trip report: Wind River Range – Ross Lakes, Bear Basin, Grasshopper Glacier, & Dinwoody Creek loop, Aug-Sep 2020 Trip Reports 41
marquiri Wind River Range - Green River Lakes Trailhead Trip Planning 9
Gunnahafta Green River <> Big Sandy WIND RIVER RANGE Trip Planning 1
M 5 days Green > Elk Wind River route advice August 17th Trip Planning 9
Matt Van Natta HELP: Wind River Range, Baker Lake to Green River Lakes Trip Planning 7
T Grizzly bears in Wind River Mountains Noobs: Introduce yourself! 12
Dreamer Wind River Dreaming | Summer 2019 July 17 - July 29 | Green River Lakes - Elkhart Park Backpacking 14
Artemus Wind River Mountains Snowpack 2019/2020 Trip Planning 12
S Backcountry camping tips for Wind Rivers - upper Green River valley via canoe Trip Planning 5
TrektheWorld Wind River Range 5 Day Loop Backpacking 16
H Wind River Range route planning Trip Planning 6
Dreamer Wind River Dreaming | Summer 2014 the first few days July 9 - 14 Backpacking 5
Artemus Wind River Mountain Conditions 2019 Trip Planning 62
swmalone Rain, Mud, and Wind....First Trip to Escalante Area Hiking & Camping 16
10KFly Wind River Range in Late September Trip Planning 6
b.stark Wind River Range 2009 "From The Vault" Backpacking 9
blueeyes Wind River Range August 2018 Backpacking 11
Lowro East Temple Peak - Wind River Range Backpacking 13

Similar threads

Back
Top