September 4, 2015
For entire Wind River Route report begin here: http://ericshikes.blogspot.com/p/wind-river-high-route.html
We began another beautiful day in the Wind River Range.
We wandered through the forest a little before joining the trail on our way to Texas Pass.
It was great hiking on our way to our third crossing of the Continental Divide of the journey.
Looking to Texas Pass on the right.
There was a well-used trail leading up from Texas Lake.
Looking back at Texas Lake
There was a great view from the top.
At the top we found the same hiker we had met at Washakie Creek the day before. He was considering extending his stay in the Winds. We had told him that we could get the weather forecast with our Delorme InReach and he was wondering if snow was on its way. We sent out a message and discovered the weather throughout the weekend was going to be nice.
The view from the south side of Texas Pass provided excellent views of the Cirque of the Towers, a very popular area for climbers.
Pingora Peak was quite impressive.
We lost the trail, but it didn't really make much difference on our descent to Lonesome Lake.
There were some others fishing nearby.
We hiked around the west side of the lake and then took an extended break to enjoy the view. Andrew had an excellent eye for spotting climbers high up on Pingora Peak.
Then we began the climb to the last pass of our journey, Jackass Pass.
The trail was well used.
From the top of the pass there was a great panorama of the Cirque of the Towers.
We descended the pass with an excellent view of Arrowhead Lake.
Somehow we ended up on its west side with lots of talus, but there were cairns marking the way.
We made it back to the official trail and continued down to Lake 10105'.
Lake 10105'
We again met the same hiker who inquired about which side of Arrowhead Lake we went on. Turns out that he ended up on the west side as well and had done the same thing accidentally a couple times in the past as well.
The descent continued but we still had great views including East Temple Peak in the distance.
We had planned to camp at Big Sandy Lake, but with the sky looking questionable and our final destination so near, we continued on.
It was a busy Friday afternoon with many groups heading in for the weekend. The hiking was easy and there were even signs directing our route.
There was some great forest hiking to contrast with the high elevation from the past week.
Then an enjoyable section along the Big Sandy River.
Unfortunately the point came where we left the wilderness and our adventure was nearly complete.
Looking back to the mountains.
We had the opportunity to turn left at the junction below and continue south to the Mexican border on the Continental Divide Trail but we opted for a return to the Big Sandy Trailhead.
Big Sandy River
Soon we were back at the trailhead and an exceptional hike was complete.
We still had another adventure as our Toyata Prius rental car battery had died while were away. Fortunately we we able to find someone near the trailhead with jumper cables and another person was able to fit his vehicle between our car and the white truck with inches to spare (We couldn't shift the Prius without turning it on).
We enjoyed one last final view before beginning our journey back to Salt Lake City.
Overall, this certainly was one of my favorite hikes. The scenery of the Winds is some of the best that I have seen! This hike was special as it was the first long distance hike that my brother Andrew was able to join me. The majority of my hikes have been solo adventures, but not because I desire a solo hike. I simply enjoy hiking, and given circumstances and time constraints it can be hard to organize with a hiking partner. Andrew was a significant help with navigation given the off-trail nature of the route, but it was even better just to share the experience.
Once again, thanks to Allan Dixon and Don Wilson for designing the route and providing the guide.
Most of all, thanks to God for the wonders of His creation and His protection throughout the journey.
"He who forms the mountains,
who creates the wind,
and who reveals his thoughts to mankind,
who turns dawn to darkness,
and treads on the heights of the earth—
the Lord God Almighty is his name."
Amos 4:13
I am looking to do this route next August (2016) with a nephew. Thanks for the great report. I am sure I will come back to look at this some more.
ReplyDeleteHey, thanks! You may also want to listen to what the Trailshow had to say about the WRHR if you haven't already. Start at 42:30. http://thetrailshow.com/the-trail-show-39-the-wrhr/. Let me know if you ever have any questions!
DeleteThanks for putting this together - very helpful. I'm planning this trip for Aug/Sept of 2017. I noted that you took 1 more day than the Alan Dixon/Don Wilson itinerary, and I wondered about your impression of your pace versus theirs. Did you think the additional day was about right for covering this route (for you, or someone of equal fitness)? Did you feel rushed at any time? I'm considering even adding one more day, to stretch the route into 8 total hiking days.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rob. We set aside eight days for mainly hiking. By the time we got the shuttle up to Green River Lakes we got a late start the first day. If I did it again, I would have them shuttle our car vs shuttling us. As a rental car, there may be some hesitancy having someone else drive the vehicle.
DeleteWe tried to stick with Dixon and Wilson's itinerary initially but had difficulty maintaining their pace. With the extra time available we didn't feel rushed. We also had some time to spare if the weather turned bad. If solo, I probably would have hiked longer days and maybe some extra exploring. We didn't wake up all that early. Some days were just as mentally exhausting as physically.
The most challenging part is from Knifepoint Glacier and then through the Alpine Lakes Basin. From there it's mostly easy navigation without quite as much talus and some really pleasant off-trail walking. After descending from the pass between Bonnevile and Raid it's trail all the way to the finish. We considered an alternate route from Skull Lake over Washakie Pass that would loop around past Washakie Lake, Grayson Peak, Lizard Head Peak to Lonesome Lake, but stuck to the main route.
Have fun out there and be safe! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks Eric. We've planned largely the same thing - shuttling up to Green River and getting a half day start, then allowing 8 days for the trail. I am still considering the shuttle arrangement, but have some nervousness about handing rental car keys over. Our flights home are such that we could take a 9th day if forced to by weather. Given we will be on the trail after Labor Day and that snow can happen in September, it seemed prudent to build in an extra day just in case.
ReplyDeletePS - Also from Michigan
Just noticed you commented back in March of 2016. Exciting to see that you will be able to go! The advantage of having them shuttle your car is mainly saving time (would be able to get on the trail the first night). We arrived in the evening and then had to wait in the morning for the shuttle to arrive and then the ride to the trailhead. The shuttle driver made it sound like many people just hide the key on the car and start hiking and then the car is there for them when they finish.
DeleteThe arrangement worked out fine for us and there is still camping off the road by the trailhead even if the campground is full at Big Sandy. With extra time planned it might not be worth the risk of having them drive a rental.
Have a great hike and be safe!