Titcomb Basin week itinerary options?

S

samtfischer

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Jan 30, 2024
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Hey everyone,

Me and a couple buddies are planning a week in/around Titcomb Basin. The original plan was to do a full week through Titcomb (Green River trailhead to Elkhart), but we're thinking we can see most of it by doing a roughly 4-day out/back at Elkhart, and then we could also spend an overnight back in Grand Teton. So we're thinking of hiking up to Island Lake and doing a couple day hikes from there and then heading back. Are there any lakes/peaks that are a must see? I've seen a ton of threads about the different lakes people are getting to (Summit, Elbow, the Jeans, etc), so I'm trying to figure out a decent path to take to hit some highlights. Is it better to go south from Green River instead?
 
Really can't go wrong here. 4 days is tight to really enjoy a Titcomb trip, so you won't have a ton of options if you choose that. Elbow, The Jean Lakes, Seneca, all good options. You will have lots of company at Island. My 2c is your time is better spent with the whole week in the Winds so you don't have to rush. Could spend an actual night in Titcomb. Especially if you are coming from low elevation at home.

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If all you want to see is Titcomb, then Elkhart is the fastest way there. Can make Island in a day if you're acclimated and fast. The basin the next day and back out on day 3. That's the shortest stay. There will be no solitude at Island. Lots of leftover TP.

Could add day hiking to Indian Basin and to Big Water Slide or Jean lakes. More interesting option is loop through the basin on day 2 and over Knapsack Col, back through Shannon pass and out. Or a week going in at Green River and out at Elkhart.
 
Yeah, you should really spend all of your time in one of the two ranges and save the other for a different trip. In the Winds, it basically takes a whole day of subpar hiking to get to the really good stuff (like Titcomb), so if you only have four days, you'll be spending only half of your time in the good stuff (it's not like the Tetons, where a four-day trip could be consistently great). And once you get in there, basically all the basins are awesome. In a 6-day trip, you can literally see more than twice as many great views and basins as you can in a four-day trip (since you can do more interesting routes that link together a bunch of cool basins). Just go buy the book by Nancy Pallister, and as you peruse it you will quickly fill your bucket list with longer hikes in the Winds.
 
samtfischer said:
Me and a couple buddies are planning a week in/around Titcomb Basin. The original plan was to do a full week through Titcomb (Green River trailhead to Elkhart), but we're thinking we can see most of it by doing a roughly 4-day out/back at Elkhart, and then we could also spend an overnight back in Grand Teton. So we're thinking of hiking up to Island Lake and doing a couple day hikes from there and then heading back. Are there any lakes/peaks that are a must see? I've seen a ton of threads about the different lakes people are getting to (Summit, Elbow, the Jeans, etc), so I'm trying to figure out a decent path to take to hit some highlights. Is it better to go south from Green River instead?
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I'd echo the advice to pick either Grand Teton or the Winds for a week-long trip. You'll be able to get a lot more out of it - that said, I'm all about using whatever time you have available. There are so many amazing options, but they all hinge on details you did not include:
  • What is your prior experience?
  • How intense do you want to make the trip?
  • What kind of mileage - or more importantly elevation gain - can your weakest teammate handle and still enjoy themselves?
  • Are you coming straight from sea level (or thereabouts)?
Happy to exchange PMs if you'd prefer.
 
I'd go in Green River out Elkhart...... much more in the Winds to see besides Titcomb, Island Lk and the hordes.
 
TheMountainRabbit said:
I'd echo the advice to pick either Grand Teton or the Winds for a week-long trip. You'll be able to get a lot more out of it - that said, I'm all about using whatever time you have available. There are so many amazing options, but they all hinge on details you did not include:
  • What is your prior experience?
  • How intense do you want to make the trip?
  • What kind of mileage - or more importantly elevation gain - can your weakest teammate handle and still enjoy themselves?
  • Are you coming straight from sea level (or thereabouts)?
Happy to exchange PMs if you'd prefer.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Will send you a message
 
Definitely need to account for the drive time/transaction cost of switching between Winds and Tetons. I agree with everyone, one or the other but not both unless you have way more than a week.
 
randakag said:
We did Green River to Elkhart in Sept 2018. Was one of the best trips ever. Spend as much time in the Winds as you can. Below is our route. And here are some of the best vistas: https://randakag.smugmug.com/Wind-River-Range-2018. I'd do it all over again in a second.

As it was a traverse, you'll need 2 cars or a shuttle. We used this company for the shuttle and they were great: https://gotcoshuttledotcom.wordpress.com/.

View attachment 129103
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Appreciate all the info! Gorgeous pictures too.
 
I'll add a vote for spending as much time as possible in the Winds.
 
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