Wind River Range 2018 Conditions

I figured I'd start this thread because there will be numerous people asking here in the next few weeks. Snow line is sitting at ~9300 ft. At this point, the only trailhead with any hiking or climbing is Green River Lakes. Lots of good skiing still to be had, but it's gonna be a quick season. Summer will be here before you know it. The bugs haven't come out yet, but the lakes haven't begun to ice off, so that can of worms hasn't even opened. Please be aware that most of the roads to trailheads are gonna be muddy this time of year, and try as hard as possible to not destroy the road; they're bad enough as it is! I've put the link to the trip report I wrote, if you want more detailed info.

https://www.greatoutdoorshop.com/conditions/trail-report/

Crazy how fast the snow has melted in the past week. Big Sandy Lake is accessible with minimal snow, but the Cirque isn't accessible yet except on skis or snowshoes. Elkhart Park, not much has changed except the snow on the trail is getting patchier. Green River Lakes is pretty much completely accessible all the way up the valley. Snowline is sitting around 9400-9500 ft. We've had a lot of warm weather the last few days and its not supposed to let up anytime soon. Still a few weeks away from getting into the high country, but the time is quickly approaching.

Did anyone make it out there last weekend?

Just got back from the Cirque this afternoon. Expect snow past Big Sandy Lake going up towards Jackass Pass. Talked to a couple of guys who had climbed the NE Face and E Cracks on Pingora, and said they first few pitches were wet but manageable. Another group had climbed K Cracks. Lots of dry rock back there with a wet, snowy approach. Bugs are starting to get bad!

Latest post on conditions. Still lots of snow, but lots of dry rock as well. Still socked in with snow above 10k, but by the end of June we should be able to get way into the high country. Heavy rain in the forecast for the next few days, with a sprinkling of snow up high. Weather is pretty unpredictable this time of year. LOTS of bugs at the trailheads and around the unfrozen lakes and they will definitely get worse.

Thanks for the updates.

I'm planning on heading into the Deep Lake area the week of the 4th. 

Any Updates on the Cirque? I was hoping to get in a trip out there this weekend but by the sound of it the snow might still be an issue... 

Defintiely still lots of snow in the Cirque, but it's setting up well. Later in the day postholing becomes an issue, but not so much that it makes hiking unbearable. Lots of dry rock with the nice weather we've been having the last few days. Look for afternoon thunderstorms, but this is the Rockies after all. I'd say if you're thinking about going, go for it. You'd want micro spikes for early morning approaches, and lightweight ice axe as well. Approaches will be snow-filled for the next few weeks. Bugs in the Cirque will be present, but shouldn't be too much of a problem. At the trailhead and heading up Jackass Pass they will probably suck.

Like I said, if you're thinking about it, go for it. This is a great time of year to be back there.

Any word on the skeeter situation at/above Green River Lakes?

Brian in SLC wrote: Any word on the skeeter situation at/above Green River Lakes?

Around the lakes not too bad, but above in the flood plain they're horrednous. Especially in the shaded aspects near the river and once you hike out of the valley towards Green River Pass. Give it another week and it'll be full on bug season.

Good times...thanks for the report!

Thanks for these reports!! Super helpful

Any ideas how East Fork Valley is looking for snow? Was going to skip the spikes and ice axe next week...

Hey! Thank you for the updates. Has anyone climbed at Wolfs head or Pingora? So you know what the snow situation is on the approaches/descend?

JoeyJa,

From past experience, the East Fork Valley will take a little longer than the Cirque of The T. to clear of snow. I remember heading in there around the middle of July, and we turned around at Marm's Lake, Too much snow.

stephen arsenault wrote: JoeyJa,

From past experience, the East Fork Valley will take a little longer than the Cirque of The T. to clear of snow. I remember heading in there around the middle of July, and we turned around at Marm's Lake, Too much snow.

Thanks for the reply Stephen! We are looking at this area because of your routes!! :)

Your long Raid Peak route sounds like a fun long adventure! (South buttres, east face)

Hi JoeyJa,

I know it has been done a few times. With modern cams, I think the pro. is better. When we did it, back in 1972, there were a few pitches with little to NO pro., as this routes lacks cracks. The longer route which gets done the most is the "Golden Dihedral Route" on Ambush Peak. I did it just a few years ago, for the 3rd time, and it felt like 5.10, but the protection is good. If you do it, stay left near the top, where the rock is solid.
Have Fun!

Took a look at the East Fork from the top of Warrior 1 yesterday, still lots of snow in the valley. Because of the high walls of the valley itself, and its north-to-south aspect, it usually holds snow much as the Cirque itself does. There's definitely dry rock back there, but the approach is snowy and muddy. Working on a conditions report right this moment, I'll post it when I'm done.

Snow's melting fast. Lots of dry rock with snowy approaches (similar to last week). Saw probably 25 cars at the trailhead, most of them were people headed into the Cirque. Most routes on Pingora can be approached sans ice axe and crampons, but I personally would want some traction for the Wolf's Head approach. Couldn't get a good look at the whole route, but I'd imagine the pitches that wrap around the N face of the route would still be snowy and icy. Deep Lakes area is good to go. Haystack is 98% dried out and the patches of snow that sit on top are gone. Snow line is sitting between 10,000 and 10,200 feet.

Thanks for the reports!  This is a huge help to folks like me wanting to climb/visit for the first time.

Ditto! These reports are awesome! Thanks :)

Just a follow up for the rest of the range: trails are now almost completely melted out, larger creeks are running high but safely crossable in flat sections, and so we are at the start of good hiking.  Fishing has been outstanding.  Bugs are done for the year in the sagebrush/Pinon Juniper.  Pretty nasty skeets in the deep trees so look for wind exposed trails and camps.