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East Temple, USFS photo

Wind River Mountains

Wyoming

Black Joe Lake, USFS photo

Left: East Temple
Above: Black Joe Lake
USFS photos - Bridger-Teton National Forest

Bridger Wilderness

Wind River Mountains
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Wind River Mountains At-a-Glance

Size: 2.25 million acres
Location: Western Wyoming
Adjacent Wilderness Areas: Fitzpatrick Wilderness, Popo Agie Wilderness and the Bridger Wilderness areas lie within the Wind River Mountain Range. The Wind River Roadless Area also lies within the Wind River Range.
Highlights: 48 summits higher than 12,500 feet, Gannett Peak-Wyoming's highest, 7 of the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains, 2,900 lakes and ponds, hundreds of miles of hiking trails, many campgrounds and trailhead access points. Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes, Square Top Mountain, Photographer's Point.

The 90-mile long Wind River Mountain range form the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains in western Wyoming. These rugged and scenic mountains contain four wilderness areas and over 2,900 lakes and ponds. Wyoming’s highest mountain, Gannett Peak, is in this mountain range. Favorite destinations include Gannett Peak, Cirque of the Towers, Green River Lakes, Square Top Mountain and Photographer's Point.

The crest of the Continental Divide is composed of towering mountains from 12,000-13,000 feet high, with over 35 named peaks over 13,000 feet that attract climbers and backpackers from around the world. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail traverses the Wind River Mountains.

These mountains are home to grizzly and black bear, elk, moose, deer, wolves and many other wildlife species. This is the headwaters for the Snake, Missouri and Colorado River drainages.

Lakes and streams contain rainbow, cutthroat, golden and brook trout. Grayling and mackinaw can also be found in some places. Fishermen need to have a valid Wyoming fishing license. Current licenses and regulations are available in Pinedale.

Activities
Hiking & Backpacking
Camping
Wilderness Pack Trips
Wilderness Fishing
Rock Climbing
Mountain Climbing

Hiking & Backcountry Recreation
The high Wind River Mountains typically don’t free up from snow until around mid-July. “Summer” in the high country is about 3 months long, usually lasting until mid-September before snows return. That being said, it can snow ANY day of the year in the mountains given the right weather conditions. Backcountry visitors should come prepared for a variety of weather conditions for warm days and possible very cold nights. Good footwear, warm clothing to layer, sunscreen and bug repellant are mainstays for the supply list.

Much of the high country terrain is above tree level, hikers should also bring self-contained portable stoves and fuel supply. Water purification tablets or filters are also a must to avoid ingesting harmful microorganisms from surface water sources. The water may look clean, but do not drink from lakes or streams without first purifying the water. Mosquitoes and biting bugs are at their worst during July and August. By late August and September the bugs generally aren’t so prolific.

There are many good guidebooks and maps for the Wind River Mountains available at bookstores or to order online. There are also many web pages by people who have done hikes into the Winds that can be found using search engine searches on terms like “hiking Wind River Mountains”.

Wilderness Areas
Four designated wilderness areas are located within the Wind River Mountains. Three are managed by the U.S. Forest Service from two National Forests, the fourth is managed by the Shoshone and Arapho Tribes from the Wind River Indian Reservation.

Note that there are no roads in designated wilderness areas. Mechanized vehicles, including snowmobiles and mountain bikes, are not allowed in the wilderness, but are allowed outside those boundaries.

Popular areas of these wilderness areas get a lot of visitors during the peak summer months, so expect company and some competition for campsites in some areas. With millions of acres in which to play, there are many places to go to get away from it all and be alone.

All users should be aware that in the wilderness setting, help can sometimes be days away should misfortune or emergencies arise. Cell phones often do not have reception in many remote areas, so visitors should come prepared to take care of medical emergencies and subsist without help for days.

Special regulations apply to wilderness areas, so be sure to check with the managing entity for rules for the area you plan to visit. Organized groups typically require a free permit, and there is a day stay limit for camping to avoid overuse of areas.

Not all trails are maintained in the backcountry and some trails are not recommended for pack stock. Be sure to bring good maps, compass and research the area you plan to visit so you are aware of what you can expect to encounter when there. Be alert for signs of hypothermia and altitude sickness.

Wind River Range Wilderness Areas:
Bridger Wilderness ( Bridger-Teton National Forest)
Popo Agie Wilderness ( Shoshone National Forest)
Fitzpatrick Wilderness ( Shoshone National Forest) | Wind River Roadless Area ( Wind River Indian Reservation)

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Approximately 80 miles of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs through Wyoming. This scenic trail goes from Mexico to Canada. In Wyoming, it goes from the Sierra Madre mountains to the western edge of Yellowstone National Park along the Continental Divide. The trail passes through the Big Sandy Opening in the southern part of the Winds to Green River Lakes on the northern end of the range. The trail is marked with CDT signs, wooden signs, tree blazes or rock cairns. In some places, the trail is obscure, so it is helpful to have good maps and a compass with you. This is a very scenic segment of the CDT, making this hike a memorable one that will last a lifetime.

Livestock Grazing
Livestock grazing is permitted in certain special allotments of the Wind River Range and in wilderness areas. Sheep graze the southern end of the Bridger Wilderness from July to September. Herding practices are designed to minimize contact with recreationists. Brief encounters may occur in meadows from Cooks Lake south to the Sweetwater River. Cattle graze in the Upper Green River area and some of the western fringes of the Bridger Wilderness. Animals come off these allotments in the fall, usually before hunting season starts or when cold temperatures cause them to drift down out of the mountains. Backcountry users might encounter domestic sheep and cattle in certain areas during the summer, as well as occasional cowboys on horses or sheepherders managing the herds.

Commercial Service
Local outfitters and guides are available who offer their expertise about the land and equipment for backcountry excursions. Commercial service providers must be permitted to operate in wilderness areas and on National Forest land. Visitors are encouraged to make sure any guide service they hire is properly permitted by the managing agency. Hunting outfitter camps operate out of assigned areas and many have their own camps set up with tents, hitch rails and corrals in specific locations. Guide services are available for wilderness hiking, horseback pack trips, spot packs, drop camps, gear drops, photography excursions, backcountry fishing trips and llama adventures.

For more area information:
Bridger Wilderness
Bridger-Teton National Forest
Pinedale Ranger District
29 E Fremont Lake Road
PO Box 220
Pinedale, WY 82941
Phone: 307-367-4326

Popo Agie Wilderness
Shoshone National Forest
Washakie Ranger District
600 North Highway 287
Lander, WY 82520
Phone: 307-332-5460 or 332-9071

Fitzpatrick Wilderness
Shoshone National Forest
209 East Ramshorn
PO Box 186
Dubois, WY 82513
307-455-2466

Shoshone & Arapaho Tribes
Fish and Game Department
PO Box 217
Fort Washakie, WY 82514
307-332-7207

Sublette County Chamber of Commerce
Sublette Visitor Center
PO Box 176
Pinedale, WY 82941
307-367-2242
www.sublettechamber.com

Local Services & Info
Outfitters & Guides
Sporting Goods & Maps
Campgrounds
RV Services
Bridger-Teton National Forest

2.25 million acres, 4 wilderness areas, 2900 lakes & ponds, 48 summits higher than 12,500 feet, hundreds of miles of hiking trails


Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak

Rapid Creek
Rapid Creek

Cook Lake
Cook Lake

Hanging Rock
Hanging Rock

Photographer's Point trail
Rocky trail

Half Moon Lake trailhead parking
Trailhead parking

Half Moon Lake
Half Moon Lake

Elkhart Park trailhead sign
Elkhart Trailhead

Wind River Range skyline vista
Fremont Peak view

Backcountry hikers
Wind River backpackers

Scenic Photos
Photographer's Point
Bridger Wilderness
Dave Bell photos
Ben Franklin photos
Big Sandy Area

 

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To contact Pinedale Online, call 307-367-6399, e-mail: support@pinedaleonline.com, or stop by our office located in Office Outlet in Pinedale, 43 S. Sublette Ave. Copyright 2005, all rights reserved. Photos by the Pinedale Ranger District as credited. Other photos by Pinedale Online. May not be used without permission.