TR: Wind Rivers South
Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2018 4:00 pm
Southern Wind River Loop: 7/16- 7/21 2018
SEE NEW PANORAMAS - Oct 31, several posts down.
The intent of my summer journey was to complete a thru-route. I had attempted this in 2012 and did not link the route to my northernmost route, hesitant to do a few difficult passes solo. My attempt this summer ended in the same fate- my partner who would do this difficult section with me had to back out due to medical problems with his family. I have walked every mile of the thru-route, but not continuously. Admittedly, thru-hiking is not in my nature; it takes very little to knock me off my plans. Nevertheless, I completed four beautiful routes this summer.
On the first trip, to avoid shuttle costs, the plan was to hike the route to Black Joe Lake and then simply loop back to the starting trailhead, since it would only take two more days.
A rogue bear (the people terrorized said it was a grizzly; the G&F thought it was a black bear) had terrorized backpackers where I had planned to camp starting my trip. I threw out all plans and simply hiked directly to Deep Creek Lakes, with hopes that if I reversed the route, the nasty bear would be gone by the time I reached Stough Creek Basin. Ironically, the G&F “bear guy” lived just houses down from my friend’s house where I was staying. I tried to talk to him, but he was out in the field relocating bears.
Day 1. Roaring Fork/Sheep Bridge TH to Middle Deep Creek Lake (11.2 mi. +2600 feet)
A well-maintained trail drops from the trailhead to Sheep Bridge, crossing the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie. Several youth groups were in the area. Shortly I heard a commotion coming up the trail; evidently the kids were told to make a lot of noise to scare off bears. Then, on the Pinto Park Trail, I again ran into a youth group, girls sitting on the trail while their leader was shouting out for a lost girl separated from the group. What a zoo! It began to rain as I neared the lower Deep Creek Lakes. Although tired, I continued to the middle Deep Creek Lake, where there was good fishing. However, after setting up, I was too tired to fish and decided that I would rather eat up the food I was carrying, even though fish swam around my feet when I crossed the outlet. It was a tough day, made so by my own stupidity of pushing too hard.
Day 2. Middle Deep Creek Lake to Boot Lake (5.2 mi. +910 feet)
I packed early, reaching Upper Deep Creek Lake in time for the wonderful morning light for photos. I waded across the outlet and started towards Black Joe Pass which is on the Continental Divide. Part way up, I was stopped by a snowbank all the way across my route. It was not too steep but without traction and a howling wind, I decided to return to Upper Deep Creek Lake, rather than take chances that the descent gully to Black Joe Lake could also have snow. I that case I could easily get stuck up on the exposed high plateau. I was disappointed, but this also gave me the opportunity to walk the scenic Ice Lakes Trail (which was not included in my original plan) and fish more lakes.
From Upper Deep Creek Lake I intersect the Ice Lakes trail via Ridge Lakes, a route with excellent views. I camped off the trail on the south side of Boot Lake to avoid the masses of youth groups camped on the north side near the trail. I have never seen the area so crowded! This is what happens when there is no permit system. It is hit and miss- can be few people or hordes. I fished the lower lakes with no success but caught some nice brook trout for dinner in Boot Lake. Had I known that my change of plans would make this a relaxed day I would have first fished Middle Deep Creek Lake for a breakfast of fish!
SEE NEW PANORAMAS - Oct 31, several posts down.
The intent of my summer journey was to complete a thru-route. I had attempted this in 2012 and did not link the route to my northernmost route, hesitant to do a few difficult passes solo. My attempt this summer ended in the same fate- my partner who would do this difficult section with me had to back out due to medical problems with his family. I have walked every mile of the thru-route, but not continuously. Admittedly, thru-hiking is not in my nature; it takes very little to knock me off my plans. Nevertheless, I completed four beautiful routes this summer.
On the first trip, to avoid shuttle costs, the plan was to hike the route to Black Joe Lake and then simply loop back to the starting trailhead, since it would only take two more days.
A rogue bear (the people terrorized said it was a grizzly; the G&F thought it was a black bear) had terrorized backpackers where I had planned to camp starting my trip. I threw out all plans and simply hiked directly to Deep Creek Lakes, with hopes that if I reversed the route, the nasty bear would be gone by the time I reached Stough Creek Basin. Ironically, the G&F “bear guy” lived just houses down from my friend’s house where I was staying. I tried to talk to him, but he was out in the field relocating bears.
Day 1. Roaring Fork/Sheep Bridge TH to Middle Deep Creek Lake (11.2 mi. +2600 feet)
A well-maintained trail drops from the trailhead to Sheep Bridge, crossing the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie. Several youth groups were in the area. Shortly I heard a commotion coming up the trail; evidently the kids were told to make a lot of noise to scare off bears. Then, on the Pinto Park Trail, I again ran into a youth group, girls sitting on the trail while their leader was shouting out for a lost girl separated from the group. What a zoo! It began to rain as I neared the lower Deep Creek Lakes. Although tired, I continued to the middle Deep Creek Lake, where there was good fishing. However, after setting up, I was too tired to fish and decided that I would rather eat up the food I was carrying, even though fish swam around my feet when I crossed the outlet. It was a tough day, made so by my own stupidity of pushing too hard.
Day 2. Middle Deep Creek Lake to Boot Lake (5.2 mi. +910 feet)
I packed early, reaching Upper Deep Creek Lake in time for the wonderful morning light for photos. I waded across the outlet and started towards Black Joe Pass which is on the Continental Divide. Part way up, I was stopped by a snowbank all the way across my route. It was not too steep but without traction and a howling wind, I decided to return to Upper Deep Creek Lake, rather than take chances that the descent gully to Black Joe Lake could also have snow. I that case I could easily get stuck up on the exposed high plateau. I was disappointed, but this also gave me the opportunity to walk the scenic Ice Lakes Trail (which was not included in my original plan) and fish more lakes.
From Upper Deep Creek Lake I intersect the Ice Lakes trail via Ridge Lakes, a route with excellent views. I camped off the trail on the south side of Boot Lake to avoid the masses of youth groups camped on the north side near the trail. I have never seen the area so crowded! This is what happens when there is no permit system. It is hit and miss- can be few people or hordes. I fished the lower lakes with no success but caught some nice brook trout for dinner in Boot Lake. Had I known that my change of plans would make this a relaxed day I would have first fished Middle Deep Creek Lake for a breakfast of fish!