Wyoming Backpacking

Stark · 08-20-2009, 08:29 PM

Went to the Wind Rivers at the head of the Green River for a six-day backpacking trip this summer. We had a great time, but the terrain was pretty brutal. The trailhead was at 8,000 ft elevation and we made it up to 13,000 feet. The last day we walked out about 18 miles. The scenery was pretty amazing, very rugged country. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

Also got a new camera just before the trip, so the picture quality is a bit better than before. I'm pretty happy with the results.

Getting ready for the hike at the Green River trailhead.

Looking across the Green River lakes up toward Squaretop Mountain.

The view down the Green River, looking toward the Tetons to the Northwest.

Dave bushwacking along at the outlet stream from Native Lake.

Blair hiking around on the meadow just before Crescent Lake.

Crescent Lake

Looking back toward Osborne Mountain

An unnamed and very icy tarn between Crescent and Bear.

Just above Bear Lake, on the way to Rocking Horse

Bear Lake

To be continued...

Stark · 08-20-2009, 08:30 PM

Camp at Rocking Horse Lake

The view across the lake

Headed UP!

Rocking Horse as seen from the top of the Never-ending Boulder Field of Death

Grasshopper Glacier and lots of very, very tall peaks. Gannett (highest point in WY) is in this picture somewhere.

Connie Glacier

Sourdough Glacier

Sourdough Glacier and the aptly-named Iceberg lake. We got stuck here for 2 nights due to bad weather, so we spend some time exploring the area and walked right up to the glacier.

Some of the fog that kept us at Sourdough for an extra night.

A valley of snowfields and unnamed lakes

To be continued, again...

Stark · 08-20-2009, 08:31 PM

Last one, I promise...

This view is down the canyon to Slide Lake, then Green River lake and the trailhead.

Elbow Lake No. 2

Elbow again, from the other side

From Lost Eagle Peak, headed onward toward the trailhead.

Looking up the canyon toward Three Forks Park, etc.

Slide Lake, close, but still so far away.

Didn't really take any pictures from here to the trailhead, as we were getting pretty tired and wanted to get from Slide to the trailhead as quickly as possible to beat the sunset.

It was a great trip, but very tough. Next time I'm going to plan something a bit more relaxing! Hope y'all enjoy the pictures.

For those interested, the full album of pictures is here: Lotsa Pictures

Frosch · 08-21-2009, 02:56 PM

Amazing pics!!!!What kind of camera do are you using?

jarredbehrendt · 08-21-2009, 03:18 PM

Dude, you take some awesome pics! Thank you for taking it up a notch!

Shorty · 08-21-2009, 03:51 PM

Very cool pictures!

Did you find any grasshoppers on grasshopper glacier? If I recall correctly that type of grass hopper (locust) went extinct around the turn of the century.

Dave 54 · 08-22-2009, 06:09 AM

Very cool, Always wanted to go there. still do.

BPbowhunter · 08-22-2009, 12:37 PM

Sweet pictures! Looks like an awesome trip.

Stark · 08-22-2009, 07:55 PM

Got a Nikon D60, pretty good camera. The autofocus can be a bit finicky on backgrounds like snow and open sky, but otherwise it works well.

We didn't go to Grasshopper Glacier, just walked past it on the divide. It would have been cool to see if we could find some grasshoppers, though. Maybe on a future trip I'll get there.

Sandbilly · 08-23-2009, 09:57 AM

Are you guys crazy?

Spending all that time and energy enduring a constant stiff breeze above timberline, rolling ankles on boulder fields/rock slides and freezing to death looking at glaciers instead of loosing a few (k) in elevation, maybe find a tree or two, less wind/more heat, and enjoying some spectacular trout fishing in the area.

Awesome pictures. Your album is incredible.

That was not a trip for the faint of heart. Brutal country.

Quote:

We got stuck here for 2 nights due to bad weather

Was the snow a blowing?

We've backpacked the Big Sandy Trail just SE of where you were. Dads Lake and on across the divide to Washakie chain of lakes. The shot at golden trout made the hike over the top less painful.

Did you see many people while you were up there? Sometime I would like to hike in from the Res side. Fewer miles into the lakes I would like to fish and less people on the trail.

Quote:

Didn't really take any pictures from here to the trailhead, as we were getting pretty tired and wanted to get from Slide to the trailhead as quickly as possible

18 miles out in one day is more like a test of wills. After the monotonous trod wears thin, 4 images help me keep the drive alive.
1) Pack removal, and sacrificial discarding of boots and socks.
2) Cool Beverage
3) Any food item that is not dehydrated or resembles a trout.
4) Warm (make that hot) shower.

Thanks again. I'm sure that is a trek you will never forget.

dc

Stark · 08-23-2009, 10:34 AM

No snow blowing that day, Sandbilly, but we had fog and rain (and a bit of hail) until 11:00 AM. At that point we thought it was too late to be heading on toward Slide Lake.

We did get into some nice trout fishing two years ago when we were there. Started at Elkhart Park that time, crossed Pine Creek Canyon, up around to Cutthroat, Elbow, Island, Titcomb basin, and back out.

I'm really curious about the Reservation side of the range. Looks like some really cool territory over there, and probably very few people.

We were going to go to Dad's Lake on this trip, but got walled in going up the Roaring Fork to get to it. With all the snow the creek was too swollen to cross, otherwise we probably could have made it.

Didn't really see very many people, except for a couple occasions. Saw a group of four below Crescent, and above Crescent we met a group of about 15 or 20 NOLS folks headed down to the Roaring Fork. That was a big surprise.

Sandbilly, those four items on your list were exactly the things I was thinking about for the whole 18 miles! That was a long day, started at 7:00 AM and got to the trailhead at 8:30 PM, with breaks only to get water and eat a few snacks. A growler of some good, fresh beer from the brewpub in Pinedale made us feel a lot better, though.

Sandbilly · 08-24-2009, 05:50 AM

Quote:

We did get into some nice trout fishing two years ago when we were there. Started at Elkhart Park that time, crossed Pine Creek Canyon, up around to Cutthroat, Elbow, Island, Titcomb basin, and back out.

Any goldens, or was it mostly cutthroat and brookies?

My goal is to come in on the East side, up N Fork of Little Wind River, and fish all that water into Lake Solitude. Elevation change doesn't look to bad except for getting into some of the upper lakes.

I'm surprised with as few groups you came across. Of course most wouldn't spend their time in the same places you guys did.

Quote:

A growler of some good, fresh beer from the brewpub in Pinedale made us feel a lot better, though.

Never been to the pub, but recovered some lost carbohydrates in a likewise fashion. After a week in that elevation, it takes very few.

dc

Stark · 08-24-2009, 01:30 PM

Yeah, we split the growler between three people, and that was plenty for me.

We caught a few goldens up in the Titcomb basin lakes. Talked to some people on this trip that had caught some goldens in Faler for sure and maybe Native. They were pretty small, if I remember what they said correctly.

Otherwise, we've caught lots of cuts and brookies, with a few rainbows thrown in the mix. If I remember correctly, my friend caught some pretty nice rainbows at Barbara our last night a couple years ago. Summit and Island had nice fish in them, those were cutthroats I think.

Jump n Fish · 09-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Absolutely amazing. I can't even express my jealousy. I had a ten day trip planned a couple years ago that I had to cancel because I took a job offer and lost my vacation. I'm still hoping one day to experience this.

**MA Machine** · 09-08-2009, 08:51 AM

Amazing! That is a beautiful area.

08-20-2009, 08:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Wyoming Backpacking Went to the Wind Rivers at the head of the Green River for a six-day backpacking trip this summer. We had a great time, but the terrain was pretty brutal. The trailhead was at 8,000 ft elevation and we made it up to 13,000 feet. The last day we walked out about 18 miles. The scenery was pretty amazing, very rugged country. Here are a few pictures from the trip: Also got a new camera just before the trip, so the picture quality is a bit better than before. I'm pretty happy with the results. Getting ready for the hike at the Green River trailhead. Looking across the Green River lakes up toward Squaretop Mountain. The view down the Green River, looking toward the Tetons to the Northwest. Dave bushwacking along at the outlet stream from Native Lake. Blair hiking around on the meadow just before Crescent Lake. Crescent Lake Looking back toward Osborne Mountain An unnamed and very icy tarn between Crescent and Bear. Just above Bear Lake, on the way to Rocking Horse Bear Lake To be continued... __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

08-20-2009, 08:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Camp at Rocking Horse Lake The view across the lake Headed UP! Rocking Horse as seen from the top of the Never-ending Boulder Field of Death Grasshopper Glacier and lots of very, very tall peaks. Gannett (highest point in WY) is in this picture somewhere. Connie Glacier Sourdough Glacier Sourdough Glacier and the aptly-named Iceberg lake. We got stuck here for 2 nights due to bad weather, so we spend some time exploring the area and walked right up to the glacier. Some of the fog that kept us at Sourdough for an extra night. A valley of snowfields and unnamed lakes To be continued, again... __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

08-20-2009, 08:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Last one, I promise... This view is down the canyon to Slide Lake, then Green River lake and the trailhead. Elbow Lake No. 2 Elbow again, from the other side From Lost Eagle Peak, headed onward toward the trailhead. Looking up the canyon toward Three Forks Park, etc. Slide Lake, close, but still so far away. Didn't really take any pictures from here to the trailhead, as we were getting pretty tired and wanted to get from Slide to the trailhead as quickly as possible to beat the sunset. It was a great trip, but very tough. Next time I'm going to plan something a bit more relaxing! Hope y'all enjoy the pictures. For those interested, the full album of pictures is here: Lotsa Pictures __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

08-21-2009, 02:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
Frosch Frosch is ready to breath some salty air. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: omaha Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 1,803 Thanks: 366 Thanked 349 Times in 198 Posts Blog Entries: 1	Amazing pics!!!!What kind of camera do are you using? __________________ Lidičky já mám rád pivo!

08-21-2009, 03:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
jarredbehrendt jarredbehrendt is Dreaming of Paradise Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Omaha, NE for now.... Certified Youth Fishing Instructor Posts: 2,472 Thanks: 595 Thanked 403 Times in 301 Posts Blog Entries: 68	Dude, you take some awesome pics! Thank you for taking it up a notch! __________________ Fish when you can...... Work when you have to.

08-21-2009, 03:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Shorty Shorty is itching for open water Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: on the water near Lincoln Posts: 2,303 Thanks: 1,284 Thanked 319 Times in 199 Posts	Very cool pictures! Did you find any grasshoppers on grasshopper glacier? If I recall correctly that type of grass hopper (locust) went extinct around the turn of the century. __________________ Sometimes it's just fun to sit back and watch the circus.....

08-22-2009, 06:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Dave 54 Dave 54 has no status. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: fremont Posts: 61 Thanks: 15 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Very cool, Always wanted to go there. still do.

08-22-2009, 12:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
BPbowhunter BPbowhunter is at full draw 2007 NEFGA Outdoorsman Of The Year Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Broken Bow Posts: 3,464 Thanks: 40 Thanked 324 Times in 226 Posts	Sweet pictures! Looks like an awesome trip. __________________ Is it duck season yet? Whackin' Woodies Waterfowl Crew "Look, a pair of singles!"

08-22-2009, 07:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Got a Nikon D60, pretty good camera. The autofocus can be a bit finicky on backgrounds like snow and open sky, but otherwise it works well. We didn't go to Grasshopper Glacier, just walked past it on the divide. It would have been cool to see if we could find some grasshoppers, though. Maybe on a future trip I'll get there. __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

08-23-2009, 10:34 AM	#11 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	No snow blowing that day, Sandbilly, but we had fog and rain (and a bit of hail) until 11:00 AM. At that point we thought it was too late to be heading on toward Slide Lake. We did get into some nice trout fishing two years ago when we were there. Started at Elkhart Park that time, crossed Pine Creek Canyon, up around to Cutthroat, Elbow, Island, Titcomb basin, and back out. I'm really curious about the Reservation side of the range. Looks like some really cool territory over there, and probably very few people. We were going to go to Dad's Lake on this trip, but got walled in going up the Roaring Fork to get to it. With all the snow the creek was too swollen to cross, otherwise we probably could have made it. Didn't really see very many people, except for a couple occasions. Saw a group of four below Crescent, and above Crescent we met a group of about 15 or 20 NOLS folks headed down to the Roaring Fork. That was a big surprise. Sandbilly, those four items on your list were exactly the things I was thinking about for the whole 18 miles! That was a long day, started at 7:00 AM and got to the trailhead at 8:30 PM, with breaks only to get water and eat a few snacks. A growler of some good, fresh beer from the brewpub in Pinedale made us feel a lot better, though. __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

08-24-2009, 01:30 PM	#13 (permalink)
Stark Stark has no status. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Martinsburg NE/Lincoln NE Posts: 152 Thanks: 6 Thanked 48 Times in 19 Posts	Yeah, we split the growler between three people, and that was plenty for me. We caught a few goldens up in the Titcomb basin lakes. Talked to some people on this trip that had caught some goldens in Faler for sure and maybe Native. They were pretty small, if I remember what they said correctly. Otherwise, we've caught lots of cuts and brookies, with a few rainbows thrown in the mix. If I remember correctly, my friend caught some pretty nice rainbows at Barbara our last night a couple years ago. Summit and Island had nice fish in them, those were cutthroats I think. __________________ I've got a fever, and the only prescription... is more fishing! -B. Stark

09-03-2009, 04:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
Jump n Fish Jump n Fish is dreamin of clear rivers and big spots Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Laurel, MS Posts: 1,331 Thanks: 613 Thanked 463 Times in 216 Posts	Absolutely amazing. I can't even express my jealousy. I had a ten day trip planned a couple years ago that I had to cancel because I took a job offer and lost my vacation. I'm still hoping one day to experience this. __________________ We accidentally replaced your heart with a baked potato. You have about three seconds to live.

09-08-2009, 08:51 AM	#15 (permalink)
MA Machine MA Machine is Thawing his brain out 2008 Catch and Continue Finalist Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lincoln NEFGA Line Recycling Volunteer Posts: 2,977 Thanks: 1,066 Thanked 1,226 Times in 632 Posts	Amazing! That is a beautiful area. __________________ The only 2 things keeping me from going pro are skill and luck.

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