The only access to Wind River Mountains is from the deserts of Wyoming to along a few dirt roads, shortest of which is 30 miles long from the nearest highway.
Wind River mountains are a hidden and unexpected oasis within the inhospitable lands of Wyoming. The steep and rugged peaks are approached through lush valleys with meadows, creeks, pine trees and lakes.
Climbing up to Jackass pass from Big Sandy lake.
View of the magnificent Cirque of Towers from above the Jackass pass.
Lonesome lake and the Cirque of Towers
One of the best camping spots of all my backpacking trips - on a rock high above Lonesome lake in the middle of the Cirque of Towers.
The views from the camping spot were magnificent and I had a really relaxing evening - quiet, warm and no bugs.
In the morning I found a moose grazing on a little meadow right behind my tent.
View of a Pingora Peak in the Cirque of Towers.
Views of continental divide from Lizard Head Trail
Storms and rain clouds all around me as I hiked the izard head trail just bellow Windy Mountains.
Camping at Valentine lake
The scenery at Valentine Lake, just a few meters from my campsite
Grave lake is one of the bigger lakes in the mountains and is narrowly enclosed by surrounded peaks. It is also an extremely windy place.
The shore of Grave Lake with drifted old trees was reminding me of coastal areas of Oregon. The wind and see-lake waves were helping with that impression.
In the third day I made a detour and climbed up to Baptist Lake. The lake is high above a valley, sitting in a U-shaped trench right below the peaks. Here is a boundary with Indian reservation and all except the very edge of the lake are off-limits to backpackers. It is another impressive area, but very windy.
Last day, ready to climb Washakie pass.
Washakie pass from the east
Once I crossed Washakie pass, I had to return along the western side of the mountains back to the Big Sandy campground, about 20km. It was still a very nice hike with some beautiful scenery, but I was already spoiled by what I have encountered on the other side of the mountains.