Little Sandy Valley

BETA PHOTO: The Middle and South Continental Towers, monarchs ...

Description 

The Little Sandy area of the Wind River Range is seldom explored by climbers, and will probably remain that way due to the arduous nature of the approach. However, your reward is a pristine alpine playground of untrammeled meadows, gorgeous granite, and solitude. Bring an adventurous mindset.

Getting There 

Follow the directions in Joe Kelsey's guidebook carefully to the Sweetwater Gap/Little Sandy Lake trailhead.
Some notes on the Little Sandy trail:
1) Within the first couple of miles, be prepared to cross, crawl under, roll over numerous downed trees. The area experienced a fire recently and apparently nobody has started to clean up.
2) About .5 miles after crossing the Little Sandy Lake outlet, you'll come to a fork in the trail. Take the lefthand fork, which is oddly marked "Big Sandy Lake". Going right will take you to "Little Sandy Lake" as the sign states, but it's difficult (at the least!) to get around the lake by following the shore due to cliffs & rough terrain.
3) Allow about 6 hours from the car to the upper meadows.

The Classics