We are going to the Wind River Range for our first year of marriage anniversary! This could either be called our Anniversary Hike or the 4th Honeymoon. Take your pick. We are planning a 4 day/3 night hike. This will be our longest hike together. This shouldn't come as a surprise to me, but I've found my husband is a stronger hiker than me. He doesn't get as tired as quickly as I do and he hikes faster than me. Now don't everyone gag from me saying this, but we make a great team hiking just like we make a great team in normal life. I can't wait to experience the beauty of the mountains with him this summer. We start the hike in the woods and then move above the treeline. The plan: Day 1 -Start at Big Sandy Trailhead. Camp at Shadow Lake or beyond. Day 2 - Over Texas Pass and camp near Lonesome Lake by the Cirque of the Towers. Day 3 - Hike to Big Sandy Lake. Day 4 - Get up early to hike up to Temple Pass and beyond for views of the northern Wind River Range. Then hike out. I'm hoping the hike out is easy - since we'll be losing elevation. After the hike we'll to treat ourselves to a massage and great food in Jackson, WY.
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Hike Update: Well this is what we actually did. We drove up to the Big Sandy Trail Head. What a drive! It was a beautiful drive but 1.5 hours long and on gravel roads.
The first night we stayed up by Clear Lake. At first we thought we had the whole lake to ourselves but then a pretty big group made it up to us with help from their llamas. The lake was gorgeous and ultra cold. Also their were a lot of mosquitoes. (Take spray or better yet, mosquito netting.)
The next morning we got up planning to hike over Jackass Pass. We started on our way up and ended up spending a lot of the afternoon at Ford Lake because there were no mosquitoes there. We set up camp here and decided to hike up to the pass with a light pack that held our supper. Just over the pass we made supper and ate it to a view of the Cirque of the Towers. The view was well worth the hike. After supper we hike a bit more and saw Hidden Lake and Texas Pass, which had a lot of snow on it.
After the hike out, we stayed at Big Sandy Lodge in a little cabin with no electricity. But they do stock the cabins with an oil lamp and the cabin has a wood stove. The nights get cold and the stove keeps you toasty warm. There are showers and running water and the beauty of it is - you don't have to listen to an ugly generator. The owners of the place also have a lodge at which they serve meals (which cost extra). We had a blast eating with all the other lodge guests and after dinner we played games and worked puzzles with them all. Fun!
Map used: Earthwalk Press South Wind River Range Hiking Map and Guide
Overall, the trip was an A+. Great scenery. Not too many people. Awesome lodge at the end.
Note: You don't need permits. The trails are pretty well marked in this area.
The first night we stayed up by Clear Lake. At first we thought we had the whole lake to ourselves but then a pretty big group made it up to us with help from their llamas. The lake was gorgeous and ultra cold. Also their were a lot of mosquitoes. (Take spray or better yet, mosquito netting.)
