Re: I would like to introduce myself with a trip report
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:50 pm
Regarding the two Wind Rivers destinations;
Both will have mosquitoes in mid-July
This year is looking like a slightly below average snowpack- but too early to tell - a lot of snow can fall in May and June.
Elkhart Park is a lot easier to access (16 miles paved road) versus Big Sandy - lots of dirt roads.
I personally think Cirque of the Towers is more spectacular but others would not agree. Rock climbers tent to prefer the Cirque; mountaineers prefer Titcomb Basin.
You can camp in timber at Cirque of the Towers; Titcomb Basin is above timber and quite windy
If you go to Titcomb Basin, be sure to explore the lakes of Indian Basin - they are just off the trail and beatuiful.
If you go to Cirque of the Towers a side trip up towards Texas Pass, or down to Lizard Head Meadows on the North Fork are both worthwhile.
The trail to Titcomb Basin is well maintained and very crowded. The Jackass Trail is less maintained and quite rocky. Most people can get into the bench camping above Lonesome Lake in a day. Most people can get into Island Lake in a day- but all the way to Titcomb Basin upper lakes would be a hard day.
There is no permit system in the Wind Rivers and thus degree of crowds is unpredictable. Both places can be crowded, but mid-July is early -much less crowded than August.
These two destinations are the most popular in the Wind Rivers; you really cannot go wrong with either.
Both will have mosquitoes in mid-July
This year is looking like a slightly below average snowpack- but too early to tell - a lot of snow can fall in May and June.
Elkhart Park is a lot easier to access (16 miles paved road) versus Big Sandy - lots of dirt roads.
I personally think Cirque of the Towers is more spectacular but others would not agree. Rock climbers tent to prefer the Cirque; mountaineers prefer Titcomb Basin.
You can camp in timber at Cirque of the Towers; Titcomb Basin is above timber and quite windy
If you go to Titcomb Basin, be sure to explore the lakes of Indian Basin - they are just off the trail and beatuiful.
If you go to Cirque of the Towers a side trip up towards Texas Pass, or down to Lizard Head Meadows on the North Fork are both worthwhile.
The trail to Titcomb Basin is well maintained and very crowded. The Jackass Trail is less maintained and quite rocky. Most people can get into the bench camping above Lonesome Lake in a day. Most people can get into Island Lake in a day- but all the way to Titcomb Basin upper lakes would be a hard day.
There is no permit system in the Wind Rivers and thus degree of crowds is unpredictable. Both places can be crowded, but mid-July is early -much less crowded than August.
These two destinations are the most popular in the Wind Rivers; you really cannot go wrong with either.