East Temple Peak is a class 2 stroll directly northeast from Temple Pass. Its hard to believe Heaven is going to be better than the beauty of that area. I hear it can be pretty rough. Just ripped my 10-lb test right apart like it was nothing, and discarded the spoon. Love your critique of the Smith Lake and Cathedral Trail trailheads appreciate the turn-offs for touri helps weed a few out. Cathedral, Hunter Hall Offices Room #102. In fact, 19 of Wyoming's 20 highest peaks are in the Wind River Range and there are more than 40-named peaks rising above 13,000 feet. From here, there is a maintained trail all the way to Big Sandy Lake. The Beartooth Recreational Trail gives a hiker many . The Lake is more accessible and has a reputation for spectacular fishing than its surrounding lakes. Length 9.1 miElevation gain 1,102 ftRoute type Out & back. Length 13.3 miElevation gain 1,755 ftRoute type Out & back. The majority of the Wind River Ranges hikes and primary backpacking trails are at elevations of 9,000 feet or above, making them difficult and potentially dangerous for unprepared visitors. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. You can reach Seneca Lake by parking at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek Trail from there. As to the poor condition of the trailits a 4 lane highway compared to when we started going in. The connecting trail that completes the loop on the backside, near Texas Pass, is unmarked as an official trail, despite being well-trod for years, so navigating can occasionally become a bit tricky. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. _The Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. This trail is also known as High Meadow Trail 712 and takes one to another trail that goes to High Meadow and Cliff Lakes. From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. From the northwest corner of Scott Lake, ascend northwest to "Smirnoff Pass" (unofficial name of the pass between Scott Lake and Lake 11085 to the north). Some of our favorite day hikes are: Stough Creek Basin, Smith, Middle and Cathedral Lakes, Island and Thumb lakes in Silas Canyon, Lake Louise, and anything on the Middle Fork Trail, which starts at Bruce's Bridge at the end of Sinks Canyon, and takes us all the way to Wind River Peak. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. The night was quite cool and very quiet, with no wind. View Wind River Range Traverse Image Gallery - 1 Images. Mileage: 29-30 miles RT Thats a river of deception and leads up toward Wind River Peak. We decided to leave our tent and only use my pack, and to head up for Mendarrin Lake to the west, not knowing what wed find. At about 15.5 miles into the trail, the incline drastically increases as you work your way between Three Waters Mountain and Osborn Mountain. I have just connected bits and pieces of their suggested routes into an alpine traverse of the entire range. The East face of Mt. RV Weight . Getting over all that was a total blast. Now lets get wild. On the other side I found my favorite flower! Anyway, it was a pretty nice night. The Wind River Range sees less traffic than areas like Teton or Rocky Mountain National Forests, so trails are not the easiest to follow in many areas. Located on the way up to the Cirque of the Towers, Dads Lake is a pristine alpine setting that offers even the least experienced backpackers the chance to test their trail legs. It goes west across the expansive plateau of Osborne Mountain, then follows Mill Creek to the Osborne Cabin, on old homestead of a famous trapper. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). We heard some people and saw a couple of folks fishing at the west side, far from us. The creek itself has no water body that it is being fed from, but if you walked up its draw youd end up at the Bears Ears trail eventually. I wouldn't advise camping in the Cirque (according to guidebooks). As we set up camp and got firewood, the sunset was awesome, though I didnt manage to get many very nice photos. The trail along the edge of the lake was a bit vague, with people trying different paths around large boulders and other obstacles, but we had no extreme difficulty. In short, plan to get wet. According to Pallister, the safest way down is on the Glacier, instead of traversing the surrounding cliffs. Take your time as you move up the glacier and be cautious of moving terrain. Cathedral Lake sits right outside of Aspen, Colorado, and can only be reached by a strenuous, but breathtakingly beautiful, hike up to its shores. These wild lands west of the divide and north of Gannet Peak (collectively known as Bear Basin) is easily the most magnificent trail-less section of the Wind Rivers. (It was really, really not fun, if I havent made that clear!). Youll come across semi-established camp spots that are heavily used by thru-hikers. Enjoying your Wind River Range backpacking trip with these principles in mind will help maintain the Wind River Range for other visitors and hopeful backpackers for millennia to come. You then depart from the trail due northeast, following Blair Creek to the pond at 9590. Backpacking without a stove is the easiest, leanest, and safest way to wander the wilderness. mcnerney Administrator Messages 20,633 Reaction score 277 Location Pinedale, WY Aug 25, 2014 #2 Looks like another great trip into the Winds, thanks for sharing. Far north in the Wind Rivers, Gannett Peak is also viewable from this ridge line. Distance: 11.5 miles (with plenty of walking around the lakes) Elevation Gain: 1,732 ft. Tyler Wildeck is a writer with a passion for all things outdoors. Continue northwest up the basin towards Lake 10,756, which is directly south of Hay Pass. We began descending and at mile 2 reached some switchbacks. The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, Lets Get Spooky! Mom lazed on a rock, snacking on jerky, while I caught a number of trout with ease! This is high elevation camping at its finest, showcasing the areas iconic rock and snow. We both decided that wed rather stick to the southern edge of Middle and Cathedral Lakes as we made our way up, rather than having to cross that crapshow again. Cathedral Lake Type: Lake Category: body of water Location: Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, United States, North America View on OpenStreetMap Latitude 42.8207 or 42 49' 15" north Longitude Fishing Cathedral Lake, WY on 4/10/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from . Trip Type: Out-and-back Before 8PM we had a huge fire going, and sadly the mosquitoes here were fairly aggressive. From Middle Fork Lake, it is approximately 2 trailless miles to Hall's Lake. Cathedral Peak's big east-facing wall, rising above Cathedral Lake in the eastern Wind Rivers, has a long history, attracting the attention of climbers since at least 1979, when Fred Beckey and Jim Kanzler completed the route they named Orion's Reflection.NOLS courses camp nearby every year, and Wyoming hardmen like Greg Collins and Dave Anderson have passed through the area. Glacier Trail hides Gannett Peak until you are 18.5 miles into this amazing wilderness. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. Dont forget your fishing rod and flies! Lembert Dome Trail: This 2.8-mile round-trip trail features stunning panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows. If you are hiking here in the warmth of July, you can come across some trouble finding a camp spot within Forest Service parameters. Started off MUCH worse got much better now is reverting to a seldom used trail. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including lake trout and brook trout here. _Bonneville Basin can be reached by two different ways. Because the Cathedral Lakes Hike trail is the same as the John Muir Trail, there will likely be overnight backpackers and equestrians to watch out for. A spree to Shoshone National Forest when you're here at Cathedral Lake is a wonderful idea, and close by you discover the Bears Ears Trail which is a perfect hiking trail. The Cathedral Lake is located in Fremont County, Wyoming, United States. The Deep Lake Cirque from Deep Lake, Wind River Range. The trailhead is easily accessible from Pinedale. The trail is immensely ugly with only a couple of redeeming features, and those features are very large rocks. Roaring Fork Trail is a true test of skill. We followed the trail past Cook Lake, but it wasnt pretty and I didnt get pictures of the lake itself. We started off in a bald section and went uphill into a very arid, dusty forest; the uphill climb lasted for a mile and only went up 372 feet, but the day was hot, so we both felt it. We got water from it because it was still so dang hot, and then continued on, which was sadly another bump in elevation that we then lost right afterward. Related Read:The 11 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Compare 1,195 hotels close to Cathedral Lake Trailhead with room rates, reviews, and availability. Im going to go back with something better than 10-lb test, which just wasnt enough for the trout in Cathedral or Middle Lakes. We climbed the granite knob easily and got a nice view of the drainage, but if youre not in the view, you should just stick to the trail. This also means its a nice and easy ride back to town for that post-trail burger meal. I know that while backpacking its typically not advised to bring so many extra clothes, but since you will be camping at high altitude and in the cold, dry layers are necessary to prevent hypothermia. Snow will add another element to route-finding. She describes it as miserable. Eight miles into the hike you will come to Arrow Pass a long, arduous section thats all above 10,895 feet. All are spread over three wilderness areas. Bula dearperson! To connect with the Fremont Trail, you will have to maneuver through Texas Pass which has been traveled for years but is not a designated trail. Although not marked on maps, Split Mountain Pass is the obvious pass directly west of Split Mountain. Jenny Lake is a popular area for hiking. Why you should go: Get lost deep in the Wind River Range as you find yourself among jagged peaks, rushing streams, and crystal-clear lakes filled with trout. Trailhead: Cathedral Lakes One of the most famous hikes in the world, this classic trek on the John Muir Trail is popular for both its incredible scenery and generally declining elevation. Is the easiest, leanest, and safest way down is on the glacier and be cautious moving... The wilderness 10,626 ft ) Pallister, the safest way to wander the wilderness room rates, reviews and... Entire Range camping at its finest, showcasing the areas iconic rock and.! Folks fishing at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek trail from there 1,755 type... Is High elevation camping at its finest, showcasing the areas iconic rock snow. 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