The Wind River Range’s colossal granite peaks have long captivated the imaginations of those who live in and pass through the region.
The Wind River Range, located in western Wyoming, stretches northwest to southeast for around 100 miles and is part of the Western United States’ larger Rocky Mountain range.
Because of its high concentration of tall, beautiful mountains with high-quality rock, the modern Wind River Range is a very popular outdoor recreation area in the Western United States.
The Wind River Range’s craggy peaks are part of the United States’ great Continental Divide, a hydrological divide that stretches from Alaska’s Bering Strait to Argentina’s Strait of Magellan.
If you stand on one side of the divide, all of the water will flow into the Pacific Ocean. Any rain that falls on the other side of the divide will end up in the Atlantic.
The Wind River Range contains 228 named mountains, the highest and most visible of which is Gannet Peak (13,802ft/4207m), Wyoming’s highest peak.
Though Wyoming’s second-highest peak, the Grand Teton, is in the Teton Range, the state’s next 19 tallest mountains are all in the Wind River Range.
In reality, the Wind River Range has over 40 named peaks that are over 13,000 feet (3,962m), adding to the beauty of the landscape and the challenge of traversing the terrain.
The Shoshone National Forest on the east side of the range and the Continental Divide and the Bridger-Teton National Forest on the west side of the range are responsible for the vast majority of the Wind River Range.
A large portion of the range is also included within the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Table of Contents
What you can See and Do in the Wind River Range?
Major Trails and Hiking Areas
The Shoshone National Forest, on the eastern side of the Continental Divide, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, to the west, and the Wind River Indian Reservation, to the south, make up the Wind River Range.
There are three wilderness areas that cover the bulk of the range within the two National Forests.
The Bridger Wilderness, the Fitzpatrick Wilderness, and the Popo Agie Wilderness are among these wilderness areas.
No mechanized or motorized travel is permitted in these regions, making them ideal destinations for those seeking peaceful solitude in the mountains.
Climbing
Although the Wind River Range is known for its backpacking, the numerous cirques – created over thousands of years of glacial activity – and technical ascents attract climbers of all abilities and backgrounds who seek their own wilderness nirvana every year.
The Cirque of the Towers, in particular, is a well-known climbing area in the Winds that has seen an uptick in popularity in recent years.
Gannett Peak
Gannet Peak, at 13,804 feet, is the highest point in Wyoming and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It is situated in the northern part of the Wind River Range.
It is only for powerful and experienced mountaineers due to its remoteness, surrounding massive glaciers, and technical difficulties.
Cirque of the Towers
The Cirque of the Towers is the Wind River Range’s most scenic location. This magnificent range of jagged granite peaks towers over Lonesome Lake, making it one of the best places in the Wind River Range for adventure.
The shortest path to the Cirque of the Towers is through the Big Sandy Lake and Jackass Pass trails.
From the Big Sandy Trailhead, follow the Big Sandy River through trees and meadows before turning onto the trail toward Sedgwick Meadow and Big Sandy Lake.
Before crossing the meadow and returning to the forest, you’ll come to a wide meadow with vast views of Mitchell Peak, Dogtooth Mountain, Big Sandy Mountain, and Schiestler Peak after a few miles of walking.
If you take your time on this hike, you can reach the shores of Big Sandy Lake, where you can find some famous campsites just be sure to carry bear-proof food canisters.
After leaving Big Sandy Lake, you’ll climb steep switchbacks up a hillside before crossing North Creek.
You’ll pass rocky meadows, slabs, and outcroppings, following rock cairns and trail markers, before you reach a high point above North Lake.
You’ll reach a high point above Arrowhead Lake a few miles later, where you’ll get your first views of the Cirque of the Towers’ peaks, including Pingora, Wolfs Head, and Pylon Top.
You’ll start descending down slabs toward Arrowhead Lake after reaching this high point, then cross a boulder field to reach the base of Jackass Pass.
Steep climbing leads to the top of Jackass Pass, where you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of the Cirque and Lonesome Lake.
As you continue hiking, you’ll encounter steep switchbacks that reward your efforts with spectacular views. You’ll eventually come to a trail intersection that leads to some campsites above the lake.
Titcomb Basin
When it comes to breathtaking mountain views, Titcomb Basin rivals the popular Cirque of the Towers (also in the Winds).
Furthermore, Titcomb Basin offers one of the two key routes to ascending Gannet Peak, Wyoming’s highest peak, which is widely regarded as one of the most challenging state highpoints to climb, after Denali (Alaska), Mount Rainier (Washington), and Granite Peak (Washington) (Montana).
Titcomb Basin is located in the heart of the range, just west of the Continental Divide. Four large alpine lakes, numerous boulder fields, and sharp, jagged peaks make up the Basin.
Getting to Titcomb Basin, however, is no walk in the park.
A trek into Titcomb Basin will take at least two days and cover at least 11.5 to 13 miles (18.5-20.9km).
The Elkhart Park Trailhead near Pinedale, Wyoming, is one of the easiest ways to get to the Basin.
Hikers can travel about 10.5 miles on an undulating path from the trailhead to Island Lake, which is located at about 10,400 feet (3,169 meters).
Hikers will walk about a mile (.6km) from here to a marked trail junction, where they will turn left to head toward Titcomb Basin’s spectacular views.
Titcomb Basin is located in the heart of the range, just west of the Continental Divide. Four large alpine lakes, numerous boulder fields, and sharp, jagged peaks make up the Basin.
Getting to Titcomb Basin, however, is no walk in the park. A trek into Titcomb Basin will take at least two days and cover at least 11.5 to 13 miles (18.5-20.9km).
The Elkhart Park Trailhead near Pinedale, Wyoming, is one of the easiest ways to get to the Basin.
Hikers can travel about 10.5 miles on an undulating path from the trailhead to Island Lake, which is located at about 10,400 feet (3,169 meters).
Hikers will walk about a mile (.6km) from here to a marked trail junction, where they will turn left to head toward Titcomb Basin’s spectacular views.
