Wind River Range Backpacking: South Wind River Range Loop from Big Sandy 

Wind River Range Backpacking: South Wind River Range Loop from Big Sandy
Bridger-Teton National Forest - Bridger Wilderness
Shoshone National Forest - Popo Agie Wilderness
Trailhead: Big Sandy Trailhead, Big Sandy Opening Rd. Boulder, Wyoming
9-13 August 2023
Itinerary
Day 1: Big Sandy Trailhead, Fremont, Continental Divide Trail and Hailey Pass Trail to Pyramid Lake trail. Camp at Pyramid Lake. 14.65 mi, 2622 ft elevation gain.
Day 2: Pyramid Lake to East Fork Valley lakes and back (cross-country route). Pyramid Lake to Hailey Pass through Twin Lakes. Hailey Pass trail to Bears Ears Trail and Baptiste Lake Trail Junction. Baptiste Lake Trail to Baptiste Lake. Camp at Baptiste Lake. 11.5 mi, 2149 ft elevation gain.
Day 3: Baptiste Lake to Bears Ears trail. Bears Ears trail to Grave Lake and Valentine Lake. Valentine Lake to South Fork Lakes and back (cross-country route). Camp at Valentine Lake. 13 mi, 1700 ft elevation gain.
Day 4: Valentine Lake to Bears Ears Trail. Bears Ears Trail to Lizard Head Trail. Traverse of the Lizard Head Plateau to Bear Lake trail. Lizard Head Trail to North Fork Trail. North Fork Trail to Meadow before Lonesome Lake (Cirque of the Towers). Camp at Lonesome Lake Meadow. 12.3 mi, 2143 ft elevation gain.
Day 5: Lonesome Lake Meadow to Jackass Pass - North Fork Trail to Big Sandy Trail. Big Sandy Trail to Big Sandy Lake. Big Sandy Trail to Fremont Trail to Big Sandy Trailhead. 11 mi, 400 ft elevation gain
Trip total: 62.4 mi, 9000 ft elevation gain.
AllTrails map:
www.alltrails.com/explore/rec...
Hike Notes
The Winds, like with the Sierras and the Dolomites, I always want to go back hiking. So many hiking/backpacking itinerary options, and so much beauty.
My initial planning for this trip started almost a year ago. The trip ended up being different than what I initially anticipated because of an ankle injury I suffered a month before this Winds trip while hiking in Italy. I had to adjust my expectations, which meant adjusting the backpacking itineraries to reduce or avoid some of the difficult cross-country routes I initially wanted to do. Also, when possible, I modified the itinerary to reduce mileage with the main pack and hike with a day pack from daily camps that I would setup earlier in the day. This approach alleviated the impact on my injured ankle. The initial disappointment of the "can't do / won't do routes" was soon replaced by the realization that I had more time to really enjoy and appreciate the amazing landscape I was surrounded with. More time to see and enjoy the beauty.
It was a magnificent backpacking trip. It is difficult to point out the highlights: Baptiste Lake, the Lizard Head Plateau, the East Fork Valley, Hailey Pass and the South Fork Lakes for sure. The Cirque of the Towers area is always amazing despite the heavy foot traffic. But indeed there were so many other places and views that I want to remember - it was difficult to cut clips from the video!
The Winds, I know I will go back again to do what I could not do this time. And more.
Music:
Hymn by Valante
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.