Next to the Grand Tetons, the Winds are the most famous mountain range in Wyoming. The reason is obvious. It is the highest range in the Rocky Mountains north of Colorado, and it cradles the largest glaciers in the Rocky Mountains south of Canada. Much of it is above tree-line, with this caveat: there is still a wild fringe of lower elevation forest and meadow country that surrounds the fortress-like alpine peaks, ridges and plateaus. On our guided Wyoming backpack trips in the Winds, you will experience both the subalpine forest and the alpine peaks! “Alpine” means the terrain above tree-line, not just any high mountain area. When folks think about backpacking in Wyoming or backpacking in the greater Yellowstone region, they typically envision the soaring granitic landscape of the Wind River Range high country. The alpine zone. And it is a wondrous landscape.
So it is not surprising, then, that parts of the Winds can get a bit crowded during the brief summer hiking season. We at Big Wild pride ourselves in getting away from the more popular hiking paths, so our Wind River Range treks explore the little-known northeast corner of the Fitzpatrick Wilderness. The Fitzpatrick towers above the wide open high and dry valley of the Wind River, and it encompasses much of the east slope of the Winds. This protected area of the Shoshone National Forest is extremely rugged high country. It also is part of the million-acre greater Wind River Range Wilderness, that includes two other contiguous Wilderness areas (separated only by administrative boundaries) plus a protected chunk of the Wind River Indian Reservation. For our route, access is a remote forest “road” that often requires four-wheel drive. For obvious reasons, I will not divulge the exact location!
Once out in the wilds, however, expect to experience seldom-used trails, a lot of off-trail tundra hiking, big rocks, colorful wildflowers and spectacular views from alpine lakes and ridges. In addition, on one day you’ll carry your backpack over the summit of a 12,000 foot mountain, weather permitting! We often see elk and bighorn sheep, but most every animal common in the mountains of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is also present. This is a high altitude wilderness second to none, and as I type this blog we still have some available openings on this year’s trek, from August 19-25. It is not for the faint of heart, though, but if your really fit and looking for a strenuous adventure, don’t miss out!
