Wind Rivers Highline trail??

[Dr. Nick]

My brother, my son, and I want to do the highline trail in the wind rivers. Whenever I try to get information about it, I always get the High Route info. While the
High Route sounds amazing and unreal, I cannot physically do it due to my age and bad knee and back surgery, etc. We would take 7 days doing it so that we could flyfish along the way.
Different sources show the CDT separate from the Highline trail in spots and they merge in one place.
Has anyone done either of these trails? We would start at big Sandy lake trailhead and end up at the Green River lakes parking lot. I read somewhere the highline trail hasn't been cleared of downfalls after the wind event from a few years ago.

 

[Bob]

Which one..... Everyone calls theirs the high line trail. There are many. Here is the one I did in 2009, before most anyone else. The Red is our actual route, The Yellow route on the north end is what we planned, but got stormed out at Camp 6. A slide showes follows the map. We were not interested in long ridge walking, more in staying close to the peaks, fishing and scenery. We did not stay on the CDT stuff till the end. There are variations that use the CDT and lower trail system. The CDT and lower highline portion is cleared....it is a major destination. Some of the side trails are not. 7 days is quick..... as it is pushed 90 to 100 miles one end to the other. PM me for more info specifics.

Also search the forum for the Wind Rivers for info.

Click here to view on CalTopo

 

[OldBill]

@Bob is right - lot's of "Highline" trails. His route is epic. The official (?) Caltopo labeled "Highline" would be easier if that's what you're seeking. Still, 7 days is moving fast, especially if you want to fish. But, I'm slow setting up camp and my fishing gear. Like Bob said- wouldn't worry about downfall along that trail. CDT variations exist especially for the Cirque and Titcomb. The "official" Highline does not go through either.

 

[Janice]

Great video - in addition to the photos, I like the transitions.

 

[Bob]

The official (?) Caltopo labeled "Highline" would be easier if that's what you're seeking. Still, 7 days is moving fast, especially if you want to fish. But, I'm slow setting up camp and my fishing gear. CDT variations exist especially for the Cirque and Titcomb. The "official" Highline does not go through either.

[/QUOTE]
True

 

[Dreamer]

@Dr. Nick the Highline Trail USFS #094 runs up the western edge of the range from Big Sandy to Green River. South of the Cook Lks the Fremont Trail USFS #096 parallels the Highline a little to the East. The CDT is the Fremont and the Highline north of Cook Lks. Supposed to be about 63 miles along the CDT. I’ve walked all except a ~10 mile segment of the Highline south of Cross Lk. It’s mostly straightforward trail hiking. Some of the southern Highline is so little traveled that there is no tread and tricky to follow. Plenty of people on the Fremont. Better mountain views on parts of the Fremont, but you avoid the not too difficult Hat and Mt Baldy passes on the southern Highline and have more lakes to fish. Beartooth Publishing has a map of the whole range that lets you see it all laid out.


along the southern Highline - Fremont runs on the far side of the lake

 

[fossana]

Beartooth Publishing has a map of the whole range that lets you see it all laid out.

This. These are my all-time favorite trail maps. They have a 1:100,000 map for the entire range, and north and south detail versions at 1:60,000.