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Wind River Range - Easy Access to the Cirque

Original Post
J Miles · · Queensbury, NY · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 15

My wife and I are heading to the winds in a few weeks and are looking for the easiest way to check out the cirque of the towers. We will be camping at Big Sandy Lake and hope to do an out and back into the cirque just to get good views (i.e. no climbing). What's the easiest way to get to the cirque? The book we have (Climbing and Hiking in the Wind River Mountains) has a description of "an easy way" to get there, but the directions are a little confusing and I want to make sure there isn't something better. Btw, we'll be bringing our dog. Some of the descriptions of the climbers route talk about boulders, so I'd like to make sure it isn't too much for a dog (he's pretty good with scrambling). Thanks for your help.

J Miles · · Queensbury, NY · Joined Mar 2012 · Points: 15

The hiking "difficulty" is about the same for both? Any recommendations for a good turn around point? We were thinking Lonesome Lake might be a good turnaround point (especially if we're tired), but I'd rather not miss out on something cool slightly further down that we didn't know about.

Henry Luedtke · · Wisconsin/Colorado · Joined May 2013 · Points: 0

If you can make it with your dog to the point where the climber's trail cuts off you are done with the worst of the hiking which is along a bit of talus aside the small lake before you first see the cirque. The climber's trail is right after this and a bit steeper than the main, with some scree in spots but once you crest the ridge it will drop you down into the cirque with some awesome areas to explore and set up camp. Any talus from here can be avoided and if for whatever reason you decide Lonesome is a better spot to be, going back or cutting down is no big deal. If it means anything we saw a family complete the talus along the lake with a bulldog not long ago. You'll have to use your judgment though and maybe help your dog out in spots. Good luck!

Bill Lawry · · Albuquerque, NM · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 1,812
Jaren Watson wrote:The climbers' route isn't too much for a dog.
This probably depends on finding the easiest way? I've only been that way for one climb trip (2014). On the way in, we probably stayed too far climber's left and did some major boulder hopping. Can't recall very well how it went on the return.

Jaren Watson wrote:But if your objective is good views of the Cirque, I'd probably just take the main trail. It's not much longer.
I agree ... seems it would take one to a high point that has a better advantage for viewing the Cirque itself.

Does someone know - would it be reasonable to scramble the easiest way up on Mitchell Peak with a dog? ... seems this would offer spectacular views.
Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Wyoming, Montana, Dakotas
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