The Wind River area is located southwest of the Grand Teton National Park. It is an ideal place for people who want fish, mountain climb, backpack, horsepack or just get away from it all. Most of it is roadless, where there are roads they leave something to be desired.

The trip had a a very auspicious(sp) start. After picking up my friend at the airport in Rock Springs we get a late dinner and then headed to the Days Inn. The Days Inn then informs us that they have no room for us. I call the central reservations office I asked them don't I have a guaranteed room. They assure me that I do. So I give the phone to the clerk. After a long discussion. She hangs up and says she still has no room for us. She finds us a room at another hotel 2 minutes away. We drive over they in the meantime have rented that room to someone else. The clerk at this hotel says sorry and calls the Ramada. They have rooms and are only 5 minutes away I then decide to guarantee the room at the Ramada(after just losing this one). We get to the Ramada and checked in. Finally.




Paul fishing on Big Sandy Lake

On Friday we got a late start so we stopped at Big Sandy Lake (going in from of course, Big Sandy). We saw a deer on the way just as we got to the lake (near the first set of food lockers). There was just one other set of backpackers there.
The next day(Saturday) started out great. We hiked over Jack Ass Pass and into the Cirque of the Towers.


Jackass Pass


Pingora in the Cirque of the Towers

It was  beautiful. After lunch at Lonesome Lake we headed to the South Fork Lakes via Lizard head trail. Basically, this involved going cross country off Lizard Head Trail via the first inlet to the southern most lake. This involved a lot of boulder hopping and was quite steep. Finally, we reached the bottom and hiked just past the inlet that feeds from a small lake/pond. The small lake/pond is fed by a waterfall that falls ~200 ft. This area was gorgeous. That night I fished without any success in the small pond/lake. Just as we were going to sleep you could see quite a few lighting flashes and a few flurries.



On Sunday we awoke to about 4 inches of snow on the ground and very ominous skies. At this point we ate breakfast and booked it out of there for the Washakie trail. By the time we broke camp another 2-3 inches had fallen. The hike to the other trail started well(considering the conditions), we could make out a trail along the lake(s). Then we were back to just making our way cross country to where the Bears Ear trail meets the Washakie Trail.



After crossing the Little Wind river we found the Washakie trail. We followed it all the way to Washakie Lake, by this time there is about 10-12 inches of snow on the ground. After some deliberation we decide to head up to Macon Lake to see if we can go over the pass or alternatively camp there and make a break for it in the morning. By the time we get up there we have lost the trail and it is snowing very hard. No decent camp sites to be found (at least not in this weather), so we headed back down towards Washakie lake. My friend and I of course are getting a bit nervous about the weather, but we feel prepared for the worst. Just above Washakie Lake we find a small, but nicely sheltered camp site. Finally, it has stopped snowing and our spirits start to lift(they were quite low when we were up at Macon lake). After a good meal we go to bed and sleep. That night it gets quite cold and I'm very thankful that I decided to pack my sleeping bag "insert". This acts as a second layer of loft on the top side of the bag.



Monday brings BEAUTIFUL BLUE SKIES. We are needless to say ecstatic. Rick says lets get out of here (he has had enough). After breakfast we head for the pass. With about 12 inches of snow it is quite difficult to follow the trail. At two points it crosses snow fields. At both points we had gone the wrong way (as we were trying to avoid going over them) and had to back track. I was very happy as we constantly reevaluated our direction, and did not stubbornly stick to a direction if later it seemed incorrect (often it was impossible to tell without gaining some elevation and being able to see the top of the snow fields).

Finally, were over. After going about 2 miles down the west side of the pass we meet a hiker. He said that he only made it about a 1/2 mile the previous day. He was headed for the pass. He was the first person we had seen since crossing Jack Ass Pass on Saturday.

After about another 1-2 hours we are down to wearing shorts and t-shirts. We run into 2 other sets of backpackers on the way out, they are all thankful that they are just starting in and the weather has turned.




Of course the hike is not over for us as we still have a way to go. All toll this day we put in 14 miles. By far the most strenuous single day hike I've done. The pass with snow on it definately doubled the effort required.

At the trail head there is of course no snow to be found. What ever had fallen has melted. Of course this means the road out is a much bigger mess. After a hair rising ride out (my little civic has very little clearance), we make it to Pinedale and gas, but no motel (we had planned to be in the back country one more night). So off we head to Rock Springs, but not before getting a warning for speeding about 10 miles outside of Rock Springs. This cop was very nice and understanding.

Now for animal stats. Saw one deer, many antelope (on the drive in), one elk, and one horse (with no pack, saddle or person to be seen) on the trail.