Wind River Range

Join me on an exploratory backpacking trip through the Wind River Range.  It's home to Wyoming's tallest peaks and over 100 miles of the Continental Divide. The Wind River Range is beautifully wild and perfect for backpacking. I've spent much time narrowing this trip down to two separate backpacking loops that seem to be a must-do experience. There aren't restrictive permits (as of now), and hopefully, it will give us some flexibility with our campsites as long as we are 200 feet from water sources or the trail. This will be high-altitude backpacking, so you must know your fitness level. I’m making this a smaller group due to not knowing if it will be a desirable trip for most and easier for me to manage logistics.

The first backpacking experience will be an out-and-back with a small loop at around 34 miles. The Titcomb Basin is our pay-off point located deep in the Wind River Range. It’s noted to be an unforgettable destination surrounded by peaks towering 3,000 feet above the granite slab cirque. Wyoming’s highest peak, the 13,804- foot Gannett Peak, stands like a sentinel among them in this area.

The second backpacking loop will be approximately 25 miles around the Cirque of the Towers. The Cirque is a glacially carved basin surrounded by 12,000- foot-high granite spires. This loop will involve a steep and rocky “off-section” trail to get us over Texas Pass to enjoy the first view of the Cirque. We will leave the Cirque and traverse over Jackass Pass and trek back towards the trailhead.

Itinerary: 

8/23/25: Fly to Salt Lake City. Get a flight that lands before 1:00 PM. I plan on arriving before noon, so I have time to pick up the rental car. We leave Salt Lake City no later than 2:00 PM, stop at REI for bear spray and cooking canisters, drive four hours to Pinedale, and stay near the first trailhead for one night. If your flight is late, you must find your own way to Pinedale.  

8/24/25– 8/27/25: Titcomb Basin +/- 34 miles and >5,000 elevation gain

• First day: We will backpack from the Elkhart Park trailhead to Island Lake, which is +/-12 miles and 2,550 elevation gain. We will likely set up camp at Island Lake for two nights.
• Second day: Leave our tent/campsite and go on a day hike to the Titcomb Basin. +/- 6 miles. We may explore more around the Titcomb Basin or find off- trails, but that is optional.
• Third day: Pack up and backpack towards Cooks Lake. Set up camp wherever we find a spot just past Cooks Lake +/- 8 miles and 1,400 elevation gain.
• Fourth day: Pack up and head toward the car. +/- 8 miles and 1,200 elevation gain.   

8/27/25: Stay overnight in one of the motels in Pinedale. Enjoy a regular bed, shower, change clothing for the next backpacking loop, and refill food.

8/28/25- 8/31/25: Cirque of the Towers. 25 miles and 4,000 elevation gain with a short, steep, rocky off-trail section.  

• First day: Backpack from Big Sandy Lake Trailhead to Shadow Lake. +/- 11 miles and 2,300 elevation gain. 
• Second day: Pack up and cross Texas Pass before potential afternoon thunderstorms. This is an off-trail section over rocks with a short 0.25-mile steep grade to get over the pass. Once over the pass, we will take our time to enjoy the Cirque and slowly trek along the Lonesome Lake area. +/- 5 miles. 
• Third day: Pack up and head toward Big Sandy Lake campsite. We will cross over Jackass Pass.  +/- 5 miles. 
• Fourth day: Pack up and head back to the car. +/- 5 miles. 

8/31/25: Drive to Salt Lake City to return the rental car(s). If available, you can catch a late-night flight or spend the last night near the airport. 

See below for more information on the area. The YouTube videos are a little cheesy but informative.  

https://bearfoottheory.com/best-wind- river-range-backpacking-routes/

Cirque of the Towers to Fremont Trail Loop

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=7kVRQXm8KXg

Titcomb Lakes via Pole Creek, Seneca Lake, and Indian Basin Trail

https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=utpvOVPM27c

Meet up at the Salt Lake City Airport

We start at 9,000 feet of elevation for both of the backpacking loops. You must train for the event. It will be beautiful, though challenging, and have some "type B" fun along the way. 

Mountain weather can be volatile, and everyone in the group needs to be flexible with whatever is thrown our way. Some days may require leaving camp early (sunrise) to allow us time to cross a high-altitude pass and avoid dangerous afternoon storms. We might have to hike only a few miles one day and several the next. Given the weather, crowds, etc., everyone must be flexible with whatever is thrown our way.  

I am looking for fellow backpackers who have strong, independent, and low-drama personalities.  A minimum of 4 people can make this trip work with a maximum of 8 people. All AOC members are welcome to sign up; I will be selecting the group based on the following criteria:

• Time of sign-up
• Strength of backpacking experience 
• Activity in the club
• Low drama personality 
• Fit within the group dynamic
• Roommate situation 

At signup time, you will initially be placed on the waiting list. The group will be selected based on the above criteria, and you will be added to the active roster and given a link to pay. Once the attendee roster is published, I will give attendees a time frame for paying.  

Failure to pay within the given timeframe will result in your removal from the active roster.

The anticipated cost for each person is +/- $550. Payment will be due on 12/1/24 to cover the rental car(s) cost and two nights of lodging. I tried to be conservative with my estimate, and the cost will cover the following: 

• Rental Car— The final amount will depend on how many people sign up. If we have 8, I will try to rent a large SUV and a smaller SUV so that there will be room for four people in each car and plenty of room to store our luggage while we are backpacking. It will probably cost $2000.
• Gas +/- $250
• Bear spray. At least half of the participants should be comfortable carrying bear spray. I tried to find a place to rent them, but Salt Lake City does not seem to have a place to rent like you can in Jackson Hole. We will purchase up to 4 canisters and donate them when done. $200. 
• Isobutane/propane canisters for cooking $6 per canister x 8 = $48 @ REI
• Hotel/double occupancy x two nights. $200 pp

You are responsible for your flight, food, and booking for last night's hotel near Salt Lake City airport, which offers an airport shuttle (or you can get your own Lyft/Uber).

If you drop off the trip, you will be responsible for finding a replacement so the other participants don't have to divide your share of the cost. 

You are also responsible for paying the AOC the non- refundable $25.00 administrative fee. 

The TL(s) for this event has (have) elected either to personally collect the funds that event participants are required to pay or to require participants to pay funds directly to a third party. No funds will be paid to the Atlanta Outdoor Club for this event. By registering for this event, you acknowledge and agree that: (1) the monies paid by registrants will not be monitored, managed, or otherwise accounted for by the Atlanta Outdoor Club; (2) the Atlanta Outdoor Club bears no financial responsibility for this event; and (3) you waive any claims against the Atlanta Outdoor Club, and hold the Atlanta Outdoor Club harmless for the loss of any monies you paid for this event.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, any paid registrant may request directly from the TL(s), before the event, a breakdown of funds collected, estimated expenses, and deposits made in anticipation of the event. Within 30 days after the event, the TL(s) must complete a financial accounting of monies collected and spent, along with supporting documentation; any attendee may ask to see this accounting. If you cannot obtain the requested documentation, please get in touch with the Director of Paid Events.