Wyoming’s Wind River High Route is considered one of the finest, non-technical, end-to-end alpine journeys in the United States and can easily be added all or in parts as an alternate to the Continental Divide Trail.
Staying above 10,000 feet for 80 miles, this mostly trail-less track takes the hiker on rugged class 3/4 scrambles for 20,000 feet of cumulative gain through spectacular granite towers, wildflower-covered meadows and past hundreds of glacier-fed lakes and streams.
WRHR, day 1: Green River Lakes to Peak Lake, 18 miles
It’s beautiful walking along azure lakes under the gaze of the Square Top, then 2,400 feet up Cube Pass.
WRHR, day 2: Peak Lake to Indian Basin: 10 miles
It’s big climbs over Knapsack Col into stunning Titcomb Basin then up towards Indian Pass.
WRHR, day 3: Indian Basin to Alpine Lakes: 6 miles?
The hardest day yet across Knifepoint Glacier, up Alpine Pass and Class 3 scrambling to a magical camp spot.
WRHR, day 4: Alpine Lakes to near Hay Pass, 11 miles
It’s a long day beginning with pouring rain, then passes, including Hay, and lakes in forest and above treeline.
WRHR day 5, near Hay Pass to Bonneville Lakes: 13 miles
Bog, rock ramps, gullies, talus and bushwhacking take us over one of the most stunning passes yet.
WRHR, day 6, Bonneville Lakes to Shadow Lake: 13 miles
It’s a big pass with big talus in wild wind to a magical camp behind the towers.
WRHR, day 7, Shadow Lake to Big Sandy Campground: 15 miles
The final day takes us over Texas Pass into the astounding Cirque of the Towers.