Backpacking the Wind Rivers

Jolie, Aidan and I visited the Wind River Range in west central Wyoming to backpack for 6 days. Here we are entering the wilderness. It was about this time that we realized there were going to be a lot of mosquitos in our future. Bug head nets were highly prized the rest of the trip. We hiked and camped at 10,000-11,000 for the entire trip.

 

The wildflowers were great - here are some lupine with Mt. Bonnevile and continental divide in background

 

Paintbrush on the trail

There were tons of lakes and small stream crossings, in some cases we were able to cross without wading. Here is jolie crossing a creek near our first camp.

 

Below the peaks is a lot of glacial moraine landforms that create many lakes mixed with grassy fields full of large granite and gneissic rocks. This is part of Dream Lake

On the second day we took a day hike up to Middle Fork Lake. Jolie standing on top of waterfall on Middle Fork Creek

Middle Fork Lake

Jolie and Aidan on the third day heading to camp near Pipestone Lakes

This is the view from our second camp between Pipestonee Lakes and Prue Lake. It got cloudy with some rain while we stayed here for two nights - this picture doesnt do the view justice.  Most beautiful camp spot I have ever had in the mountains.

Polgara looking a little damp from a morning of rain.  She carried her own food (thank god!!) and was attacked pretty bad by the mosquitos too.  She had some sores and raw spots but she was a trooper - by the 5th day she would quickly lay down in the trail if we stopped walking for any length of time.  She slept like a log for two days after the trip

Jolie and Aidan on our way up Europe Canyon to the continental divide at 11,600 feet - our destination this day is the saddle to the right of Jolie.  Note the dark clouds - they didnt let loose until Aidan and Jolie were near the top of the saddle. I stayed below the saddle and watched those two climb it in  pounding rain and hail.

A  short while after getting to the top the weather cleare up - view looking down valley

Our camp near Pipestone Lakes is located on the left side of this picture in the rocky plateau

Our last night we stayed at Dream Lake - this is a silhouetter of the continental divide

Lounging at Dream Lake - bug nets mandatory

Sunset on Mount Boneville from Dream Lake. 6 days and 59 miles of backpacking and day hikes - a fantastic trip!!!