I couldnt believe it! The majority of this land is maintained by the National Forest Service, so National Forest rules and regulations of backpacking and dispersed camping apply. Of course, with such a bounteous landscape thats overflowing with scenic trails its tough to know where to start your backpacking adventure. From the cabin, simply follow trails for less than a mile, crossing west over the Green River bridge, to the Green River Lakes TH. That said, please follow Leave No Trace principles and camp at least 200 feet away from any water sources and trails. (It was really, really not fun, if I havent made that clear!). Snow sticks around until about May most years, and typically returns in September or October. Fishing Cathedral Lake, WY on 4/10/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from . Why you should go: Take the trail less traveled through the Roaring Fork Basin to reach some of the most isolated alpine lakes in the Wind River Range. Bonney. After the first 4.5 miles on Pole Creek Trail, you will pass a marker called Photographers Point. A successful woman is one who can find such a man." You end at the Green River Lakes Trailhead, only 1.5 hours from Pinedale, WY. From Baptiste Lake, head due east for approximately 1.5 miles, then north to the upper Grave Creek Cirque. I saw maybe five people on my way to the Cirque from the Big Sandy Lake (Big Sandy Trailhead to Big Sandy Lake is a different story). Do you mind if I use one of your picts as a basis for a attempt to paint a picture of cathedral lake. The Lake is more accessible and has a reputation for spectacular fishing than its surrounding lakes. You can learn more about our editorial policies, 11 Backpacking Trips in the U.S. That Should be on Your Bucket List, The 11 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, 6 Epic Backpacking Routes in Glacier National Park, Montana, Crown Jewels: 14 Majestic Hikes in Glacier National Park, Heres Why Leave No Trace Principles are So Damn Important, 10 Awesome Things to Do in Denver with Kids, Backpacking Without a Stove: How to Go Sin Fuego, 10 Epic Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park, 9 Best Yurt Rentals in Montanas Wild & Rugged Big Sky Country, The 8 Best Hikes Near Fort Collins, Colorado, The 10 Best Hikes Near Telluride, Colorado, 12 Extraordinary Cabin Rentals in Colorado. Youll come across semi-established camp spots that are heavily used by thru-hikers. We heard some people and saw a couple of folks fishing at the west side, far from us. This trail can also be done in a shorter out-and-back fashion by just taking the Cirque of the Towers Trail to the Cirque before heading back, shaving the total mileage down to 18 miles. As far as camping, it sounds like you could potentially camp anywhere along this section. Arrangements can be made to rent "Porta Potties" in Laramie. This was our hardest day, though also the shortest. This trail is also known as High Meadow Trail 712 and takes one to another trail that goes to High Meadow and Cliff Lakes. If you're keen to avoid the crowds of families and impress your kids with some fun activities, check out these must-do items for any family visiting the Mile-High City. Your next campsite will be just under Dinwoody Glacier, at Tarns Camp. A map and compass are necessary while on this trail since route-finding can be difficult over rocks and snow. Grab your next favorite hiking backpack from Gregorys website today! Unless any of you are crazy enough to try it with me! *Deposit, (non-refundable) required to hold reservation*. Mom got up with the sun, and I got up slightly after. The range is also home to some of North America's largest glaciers. The northwestern section of the lake had a small creek coming into it, as well as a large open clearing that people were utilizing for camping, though we didnt see any actual people (the entire day). I have crafted this route to be the boldest and most challenging trek ever proposed in the Wind Rivers. The East face of Mt. Located on the Arizona shoreline of Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City is a destination for boaters, water sport enthusiasts, hikers, nature lovers, car enthusiasts and history buffs. But it was worth it. --Lana Turner. The trailhead is easily accessible from Pinedale. Moose, elk, grizzly bears, wolverines, bald eagles, and more call this range home. Historical Weather. It is advised that you camp in either of these spots rather than at Big Sandy Lake. It had 2# to 5# brooks in it. Ive read multiple reviews online about people receiving tickets and thinking that certain areas were illegal to camp in. Try traveling this trail anytime between May and September, but remember: Its always a good idea to check the snowpack reports. I have hope, however, that the Mammoth has receded enough that there is a possible non-glacier route following the southern edge of the glacier. Thank you for your beautiful pictures. Even on this popular trail, finding solitude among the peaks is easy. Hiking around Jenny Lake offers spectacular views of the Cathedral Group and Cascade Canyon. Dads Lake a great overnight trail for beginner backpackers. The best time to visit the Titcomb Basin area is in the late summer, beginning in July and ending in late September. The pass south of Lee Lake is said to be difficult talus. Highway 1; Highway 101; Highway 270; Highway 70; . At 10,250 we came to a small pond, and just beyond that the snow was suddenly gone (how does that work, from many feet to nothing), with a pleasant, flat area of granite over which the creek flowed. Over time it got fished out but now is slowly getting some fish back in itI guess from no name lake just before it. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. The mosquitoes werent bad yet, so I got naked outside and cleaned off while mom cleaned inside the tent. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. Mid-June through September is the best time to attempt this summit. Mileage: 12 miles RT Cathedral Peak is a (12,326-foot (3,757 m)) mountain located in the southern Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. We followed the trail past Cook Lake, but it wasnt pretty and I didnt get pictures of the lake itself. Sadly, my Thermarest Trail Scout had developed a hole, so my sleep wasnt as luxurious as the previous night! The trail itself continues by the lakeside for about 1000 feet and is also a bit steep, though you can find plenty of spots to put up a camp. Why you should go: Work your way up through thick forest to gain views of the entire Wind River Range. The trail is just a quick six miles in and out; so, you can focus on enjoying the outdoors. However, for the most scenic, most direct and aesthetic route, walk on trail down Indian Basin and to Upper Titcomb Basin. Overall, pack more water than you think youll need, and take frequent breaks to prevent exhaustion and advanced altitude sickness. Good campsite opportunities wont come until you reach Double Lake or Star Lake, with are 11.1 miles and 12.4 miles into the trail (respectively). The lake itself was spectacular. To reach Peak Lake, continue west down the valley after Knapsack Col. Due to the nature of the WRRT, this trip is best savored by taking your time. Stretching over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River Range in Wyoming is an oft-missed treasure trove for backcountry exploration. Wyoming Game and Fish supports more than 20 high mountain lake fisheries with a long-term schedule of stocking by helicopter. Do this route early morning to avoid afternoon storms. Cathedral Lake is located in the Wind River Range. Experience this unique and remote high-elevation backcountry paradise by booking a ride with Cathedral Lakes Lodge up the 16 km (10 mi) private road. Cathedral Lake is a lake located just 18.4 miles from Fort Washakie, in Fremont County, in the state of Wyoming, United States, near Temple Creek Summer Home Area, WY. The 2022 Glampys: The Coolest Glampsites You Can Book Right Now, Lets Get Spooky! Dickinson Park to Middle Lake. Meridian lake was not named then ( just blank name on topo maps) so we named it glacier amongst ourselves. Do make sure that you take the left in the forest just past Bald Mountain, though, or youll end up at Moccasin Lake. I suspect we would have if wed climbed higher somewhere, but the highest we got was in our poorly planned ingress to Mendarrin. I'm guessing it's called that for a good reason. It is not terribly difficult, but consistency mixed with the . Fremont Trail will take you back to the Big Sandy Trailhead. When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. Follow it's north shore west to the unnamed pass between Native Lake and Faller Lake (maps show a trail from Native to Faler Lake, but reportedly it is unmaintained and almost non-existent. Cathedral Peak (or technically an arm of Cathedral Peak) reflects in Cathedral Lake at sunset. Although it gets spotty between Deep Lake and Clear Lake, you can't really get lost; just head north down the granite slabs to the east end of Clear Lake. Dont forget your fishing rod and flies! Explore this 13.3-mile out-and-back trail near Lander, Wyoming. The land was donated by Maud Noble, owner of nearby Menor's Ferry, predating the establishment of Grand Teton National Park in 1929 and its expansion into the Moose area in 1950. That's the question that this project tries to solve, and I think I've succeeded. The bugs can be pretty bad in the heat of summer, though, so hiking here in September is highly recommended since the mosquitoes wont be as bad. Day 1: Sweetwater Gap Guardstation to Windy Lake, 7 miles, Day 5: Grave Lake, 12 miles (all on-trail), Day 6: Visit Babtiste Lake, camp at upper Grave cirque, 7 miles, Day 7: Sonnicant Lake via Roberts Mountain route, 6 miles, Day 10: Explore lakes south of Brown Cliffs, camp at one of them, 6 miles, Day 11: "Shangri-La" via the "Goat-Friendly High Route," 7 miles, Day 12: Day hike to "Glacier View" and down to the North Fork Bull Lake Creek, 6 miles, Day 13: From "Shangri-La" to Upper Titcomb Basin (over Indian Pass), 9 miles, Day 14: Scott Lake (CRUX OF ROUTE), 9 miles, Day 18: Out via Osbourne Mountain Route, 9 miles, + 2 days for weather-related "stay-put" days, "A successful man is one who makes more money than his wife can spend. GreenDay hikes; can be done as overnights. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Its got more than 40 named granite peaks that soar 13,000 feet or higher, scores of giant glaciers, 1,300 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of incredible hiking trails. Moderate 4.6 (14) Popo Agie Wilderness. From Lake 10,542, travel northwest through the rugged valley containing Long Lake (Lake 10,683). The rest of the route is described in Nancy Palister's book, called the Goat-friendly High Route. By Colorado standards, to think that this trail is the one of the most heavily-used in the entire range is. You end up where Palister calls "Shangri-La." Cathedral Peak is a mountain located in the southern Wind River Range in the U.S. state of Wyoming. And the shores of Grave Lake (also pictured) have endless scenic camping spots. Cathedral Lake is deservedly one of the most popular day hikes in the Aspen area. Why you should go: Wildflowers and shimmery lakes meet steep granite walls on this classic trip through the Wind River Range. This area was created in order to allow you to talk about topics other than fishing reports for Cathedral Lake. Wyoming; Wisconsin; West Virginia; Washington; Virginia; Vermont; DIY. Related Read:The 11 Best Hikes in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. Trip Type: Out-and-back Fly fishing is a very popular activity for overnighters of Dads Lake. Remember to Leave No Trace, come prepared, and have fun! Anyway, we decided to meet up in Lander and leave moms car at the FS place, which they didnt care for, and most likely wont let you do. Over billions of years, natural forces including earthquakes, glaciers and erosion have shaped this magnificent landscape. 307-742-6608. stmattslaramie@gmail.com. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including lake trout and brook trout here. Getting over all that was a total blast. In his free time, Tyler can be found searching Portland for the next great food establishment or perusing the many bookshelves of Powell's. NPS Photo/J. Anyway, dont let the beautiful valley ahead trick you. While the map might not indicate more than 1,000 feet in elevation gain over the first 10.5 miles, the strenuousness of the hike shouldnt be underestimated. Mileage: 17 miles RT The lake was much too cold for me to try and swim out and dive for it, so that was our sign to pack up and return at another time. Everest!! After walking through forests for a few minutes, we climbed to the intersection of trails about 160 feet above the lake. Be sure to pick up all dog waste and keep them on leash so as to not disturb wildlife. Wind River Range. The WRRT is the culmination of months of personal research of guidebooks, maps, and online reports of the Wind River Range. ), Rockhounding Locations in WY, MT; UT. Day 3 totals: 7 miles, +817/-1427, 9294 min/9636 avg/9985 max. You can reach Seneca Lake by parking at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek Trail from there. _The Peak Lake Area. We only saw one group of campers down by the lake. This is the only small section of the WRRT where these tools may be required. Cathedral Lake sits right outside of Aspen, Colorado, and can only be reached by a strenuous, but breathtakingly beautiful, hike up to its shores. What if you could link nearly every major cirque and basin in the Winds with one non-technical route? Near the Green River Lakes area, Roaring Fork is just one of many trails near here. Great review and photos. Reachable by Pinedale, Roaring Fork Trail offers thick forest scenery and shelter to backpackers. 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. Go instead a couple of miles farther to Lizard Head Meadows or a short ways up the Bear's Ears Trail (described in the next section). Snow-capped peaks, jagged cirques, lovely meadows, alpine lakes, it's a view junkie's paradise. But day hikes of any reasonable length are hard to come by; the area is known as a backpacker's paradise because few destinations are less than 8 miles from a trailhead. To cross you had to do the grass tuff to grass tuft hop. This trail is typically tackled between three to four days. The trail is lined with nonstop mountain views, and treats hikers to the peaceful sounds of an echoing creek as it meanders through the valley. Just beyond the crossing we found a very old sign announcing our location, as well as the trail proper. Elevation Gain: 2,200 feet over 6 miles (9,100 ft to 11,300 ft). Cathedral, Hunter Hall Offices Room #102. Among the abundant wildlife of the Wind River Range are mosquitoes, and theyre everywhere. You still must be in good shape and an experienced backpacker, be able to hike up to 12-mile days with thousands of feet in elevation gain, and be able to handle up to class 3 rock scrambling. The Wind River Range of Wyoming is truly spectacular. The Wind River Range is protected by 750,000 acres of public land in western Wyoming. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. The Big Sandy to North Fork Lake section hike is typically done point-to-point with help from others to shuttle or by thru-hikers of the CDT. 1. Backpacking without a stove is the easiest, leanest, and safest way to wander the wilderness. _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. We gave them big ol deer eyes and it worked. Follow the trail around the large base of Roaring Fork Mountain to arrive at Tayo Park. Explore the map. Due to the heavy incline of this trail, making this a four-day endeavor will leave everyone happy. Make your way north past a myriad of small lakes to Crescent Lake. To access trails, drive down the Teton Park Road and turn at South Jenny Lake. Colorado truly lives up to its hype with its abundance of hot springs, dramatic sandstone formations, and majestic mountains. Take your time as you move up the glacier and be cautious of moving terrain. This time of year they were impressive, and we considered camping towards the waterfalls, but there seemed to be nothing but steep hillsides there. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). Print/PDF map. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. Can Book Right now, Lets get Spooky over 100 miles along the Continental Divide, the Wind River is! 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