Wind Rivers

[BillyBob58]

I am answering this question that came up on Cannibal's thread
http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...t=8399&page=19

Thought I'd start a new thread so as not to Hijack.

Originally Posted by BillyBob58 View Post

There are a FEW areas that are less spectacular than others. So unless you are going to cover a good bit of distance along the divide, pick your areas carefully. But really it's all great. It's just that a few spots are less great than the rest.

What areas are the best? I have had it on my short list of places to hike for about four years now and still have not made it. I might have to find out when you are going in Sept and tag along.

Wow, there are a lot of choices. But the number one sure fired (IMO) to get to the spectacular country the quickest is to go to Big Sandy trail head about 45 minutes(?) west of Pinedale, WY. Or west of Boulder, WY( even smaller town). Now a rough dirt road gets you to this trail head and from there very quickly into the heart of the range and the Continental Divide. Hence, it is very popular, and in the summertime very crowded at least by Wind River standards. Likely, you will park at a very crowded parking area/camp ground. Don't let that discourage you, you will actually see very few folks on the trail, and almost none after the 1st day of hiking. From where you park at about 9100 feet I think, about 6 miles and 500 feet up the trail you will arrive at Big Sandy Lake, and steep jagged peaks will rise about 2000-3000 feet straight up above you. This ( and nearby lake's like Clear Lake) will normally be the most crowded lake in the range. Often you can find good campsites, often you can't. Don't worry, just go 1/4 - 2 miles back down the river that drains this lake for endless campsites all to yourself.

Or, last year in early Sept, it was a bit too crowded for us at Big Sandy. We took a chance and went 500 feet higher ( maybe a mile further?) to Clear Lake






and had it all to ourselves for two days! And it was even more beautiful than Big sandy, and just gets better from there into Temple Basin. And the hanging was better than at Big Sandy.

The next day hike north from Big Sandy Lake over Jack A*s Pass to the Cirque of the Towers at Lonesome Lake, mind blowing!

I'll pick this up later, I've got to go eat at Cracker Barrel!