Wind River Mountains, Wyoming

Square Top Mountain at Green River Lakes

Gottago crossing plateau

During the first week of September, I enjoyed a backpack in the Wind Rivers with my friends Linda (Gottago) Jeffers of southern California and Lorna and Carmen Bria of Lander, WY. Fred, the Ultimate Trail Angel, and Zipper T. Dog, my outfitter of choice, shepherded us to and from the beginning and ending trailheads.

Aside from a deluge of rain the first night out, the weather was ideal. Cool, not windy, only a few hardy mosquitoes who didn’t even warrant a squirt of Deet. The beauty-to-effort ratio was the highest I’ve ever experienced: every step was gorgeous and brought a new view. The biggest challenge was finding breath at 10,500 feet, where most of the hike took place.

Bear canisters were required and bear spray was recommended. We carried both. We saw no bears, but I would not be surprised if bears saw us.

Carmen, Lorna, Fred, Zipper and I hiked to the waterfall in Sinks Canyon prior to our hike. Zipper took an unplanned slide down a rock into a pool--luckily it was a short slide.

Wind Rivers from Allen's SuperCub

The Sinks in Sinks Canyon (where the river disappears underground)

The Rise (where the water reappears). Sinks Canyon is outside of Lander, WY. These are the biggest trout I've ever seen.

Lorna at our first break on the Continental Divide Trail

These high plateaus and meadows were such a surprise at 10,500 feet!

Pack string at Dad's Lake. Once we passed Marms Lake, we did not see any other hikers/packers/hunters. Except for Dwayne. Stand by.

Our first lunch spot.

One of the many high meadows on the Continental Divide Trail (Fremont)

Gottago and Carmen

High plateau (above 10,000 feet)

Gottago crossing North Fork River

Around every corner is another beautiful lake

Lorna and Carmen hiking

Lorna crossing river

Carmen and Lorna with rain gear

Dwayne and his cousin Mike. Dwayne is from Florida and has lived in the wild since 2008. "Like the critters." He is about to eat a mushroom he found near the trail. He hiked the Appalachian Trail last year. He is without a doubt the most interesting character I have found on any trail.

Hat Pass. Lorna and Gottago.

Looking south from Hat Pass. Smoke from a fire in the Gros Ventres mountains has kept the Wind Rivers in a slight haze.

Sunrise on the Pole Creek Trail. We left the CDT and exited about 10 miles out on the Pole Creek Trail, which was a great trail with gorgeous scenery. I'm convinced every bit of the Wind Rivers is as beautiful as the next.

WInd Rivers from the Pole Creek Trail--about 5 miles from Elkhart Park.

Huge trout at Green River Lakes near the bridge. The fishermen said they get out of there by dusk because of the grizzlies. The campground was closed a few months ago because of grizzly raids.

Sod roof on an abandoned line shack at Green River Lakes

Sunset at Green River Lakes. Amazing trout fishing here!

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