Wind River Mountain Conditions 2019

[Tetonrick]

Jackson---thanks for the conditions report! I'm doing some last-minute planning for my trip (which will take place this wed-sun), and am leaning towards a route similar to yours. I'm thinking of camping in desolation valley (East fork) one night and then going over Hailey pass the next day. If you have a chance, would you mind answering these questions since you were just there? (Any others please come in as well!)

1. Do you know if one can cut directly from the north side of pyramid lake to Hailey pass, basically traversing North of pyramid peak? That would avoid dropping all the way back down to the pyramid/Hailey trail junction.

2. Is the road to big Sandy trailhead currently doable in a minivan? In an outback? (I would prefer to take the minivan if possible)

3. My tentative route will go over Hailey pass, Macon lake pass, will ascend from South fork lakes to the lizard head trail, and finally return via jackass pass (an ambitious route for me that will depend on good weather). Would you recommend bringing an ice axe for this route? Microspikes?

Thanks!

 

[Tetonrick]

Hi guys, this may be the wrong place to post a question about the Wind River Mountains but I heard a disturbing report of grizzly activity in Blc this summer and wanted to see if anyone else could confirm griz presence and if so how far up. Thx

 

[Jackson]

Hi guys, this may be the wrong place to post a question about the Wind River Mountains but I heard a disturbing report of grizzly activity in Blc this summer and wanted to see if anyone else could confirm griz presence and if so how far up. Thx

There are grizzly bears across the entire Wind River Range. The population likely isn't as dense as it is closer to Yellowstone, but they're definitely there, from the northern end all the way down to the very southern end, and you should take all the precautions you would in any other place with grizzlies.

I'm not sure where you mean by "Blc."