Winds, now, advice?

[SBear]

Original trip planned for June 6-11 is still too snow covered. Have not been to the Winds but just called Big Sandy Lodge and all seems clear to about 9500 ft or so there. What would you put together (loop preferred, out/back okay) for about 50 miles in the Winds next week, without getting into deep snow?

 

[Aldaron]

I don't want to be a Debbie-downer, but:



It looks like the south end of the range will be your best bet.

Take a lot of bug goop, too...they'll be hungry right now.

If you're open to alternatives, I backpacked the north end of Yellowstone last weekend, and it was completely snow free.

 

[Bob]

I'd wait.....you will miss a lot. Problem with the Winds you have to go over high passes quite often. Looks like green river lks TH (north) you may get some day hiking up to maybe cube rock pass. You may be OK with just the main N to S trail ...CDT trail.

 

[Nick]

I'm on the party pooper train too. But if you go, plan on some extra equipment to get over the snowy passes and big cornices. Iceaxe, crampons, spikes, etc. Could be pretty tough. Oh, and most definitely come post some pics afterwards!

 

[Nick]

How'd it go @SBear?

 

[TannerT]

I'm going to say...Poo Poo. Wait until mid to late july. And to be a broken record take PLENTY of bug spray. Not only are the squitos big, they're angry! The south end beautiful, with the cirque, deep lake, all the terrain in the area. My personal favorite is the titcomb basin. Island lake is serene with Fremonte Peak looming in the background. Fremonte is a relatively easy class 3 scramble all the way to the top. That's my suggestion.

Salud, amigo! and have fun.

 

[moose droppings]

Wait until mid to late july. And to be a broken record take PLENTY of bug spray. Not only are the squitos big, they're angry!

this is interesting because i spent some time earlier this month just to the northeast of the Winds up in the Bighorn Mountains / Cloud Peak wilderness area. june conditions were/are a bit on the dry side, snow all but gone, well except for deep in the cloud peak. most suprisingly, not a single mosquito or biting fly the entire time. wow, that made things all the more glorious!

 

[TannerT]

this is interesting because i spent some time earlier this month just to the northeast of the Winds up in the Bighorn Mountains / Cloud Peak wilderness area. june conditions were/are a bit on the dry side, snow all but gone, well except for deep in the cloud peak. most suprisingly, not a single mosquito or biting fly the entire time. wow, that made things all the more glorious!

Awesome!!! I've yet to find a place this early without mosquitos. I need to get to the Cloud Peak Wilderness too. Maybe you're just a walking citronella station, invite me to come next time.
Salud, amigo!