The Cirque of the Towers not solely sounds prefer it may very well be the subsequent installment of the Lord of the Rings film franchise, nevertheless it may additionally simply stand in for the trilogy’s mythological Center Earth.
One of many jewels of Wyoming’s Wind River Vary, the Cirque of the Towers is a hoop of 12,000-foot-high granite peaks that crown the Continental Divide — and it’s an epic backpacking spot.
However the space’s distant location (two hours southeast of Grand Teton Nationwide Park) and lengthy multi-day method hold crowds at bay.
In reality, you don’t even want a allow for this backpacking journey!
For years, the Wind River Vary was my final fantasy place to go to. It appeared like each time I noticed a shocking photograph of sharp silvery granite peaks in {a magazine} the caption at all times pointed to the Winds.
After I lastly backpacked into the Cirque of the Towers for 4 days one early August, the surroundings and setting simply surpassed my excessive expectations, and under I share the whole lot you should know to plan your personal Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey.
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Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Overview
There are a number of methods to method the Cirque of the Towers however the closest entry trailhead is the Large Sandy trailhead, about 2 hours of driving from Pinedale, Wyoming.
This drive consists of 27 miles of dust roads, the final 10 of which are usually tough however are normally satisfactory in a 2WD automotive.
It’s potential to hike to the Cirque as a 18-mile out and again through Large Sandy Lake over Jackass Go however in case you have the time, it’s a lot better to make a 25-mile loop.
The loop may be hiked in both path, however clockwise is best for navigation and elevation achieve.
The route I took (and what’s outlined under) begins from the Large Sandy trailhead and heads due north previous Meeks Lake and onto the Continental Divide Path. Then you definately’ll head east to Shadow Lake and start making your approach up the drainage previous a number of unnamed lakes to cross the Continental Divide at Texas Go.
On the prime, you’ll get your first look down into the Cirque, which is tucked on the east facet of the Continental Divide. Plan to spend no less than two nights within the Cirque (it’s too attractive to not!), you then’ll go away over Jackass Go to the south, climbing previous Large Sandy Lake to return again to the Large Sandy trailhead.
CIRQUE OF THE TOWERS TRAIL STATS
- Complete Distance: 25 miles
- Complete Elevation Acquire: 3,900 ft
- Lowest Elevation: 9,085 ft (Large Sandy trailhead)
- Highest Elevation: 11,434 ft (Texas Go)
- Issue: Strenuous
- Canines Allowed: Sure
- Permits Required: No
- Really useful Time: 5 days/4 nights (together with 1 layover day within the Cirque)
- Cell Service: None
Finest Time To Backpack the Cirque of the Towers
The Wind River Vary has 40 peaks over 13,000 ft and lots of over 12,000 ft. This excessive and distant mountain vary is known for its deep winter snow that doesn’t soften out till late summer time.
One of the best time for a Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey is in August or September when the snow has melted from the passes and the bugs have tapered off. However take into account that winter returns rapidly to the Winds and main snowstorms can happen in September and October.
On low snow years, the Cirque of the Towers could also be accessible in June and July, however mosquitoes and biting flies are worse earlier in the summertime, normally peaking from mid-June to mid-July. July and August are additionally when wildflowers are most modern within the Winds.
Each of my backpacking journeys into the Wind River Vary – to the Cirque of the Towers and Titcomb Basin – happened in early to mid-August and the timing was excellent. The times had been heat, the nights cool (however not chilly), and the bugs had been very manageable.
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Permits
Permits are usually not required for backpacking journeys into the Winds.
The one those that want permits are organized teams (like Boy Scouts) and in a single day inventory customers (horses, mules, donkeys, llamas and pack goats).
Nevertheless, you will need to self-register on the trailhead.
Registration stations are discovered in any respect main trailheads, the place guests are requested to register and go away feedback. These registers are utilized by the Forest Service to maintain monitor of backcountry utilization and situations.
Tip: You’ll want to go away your itinerary with a trusted good friend or member of the family, together with directions on easy methods to alert authorities if you don’t return as deliberate.
Attending to the Cirque of the Towers
The Wind River Vary is positioned in west central Wyoming, two hours southeast of Grand Teton Nationwide Park. The closest cities are Pinedale on the west facet of the vary, Lander to the east, and Dubois to the north.
All of those cities have grocery shops, eating places, and resort rooms however none of them have main airports.
The closest airports to Cirque of the Towers are:
- Jackson Gap, Wyoming (1.5-hour drive to Pinedale)
- Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah (4-hour drive to Pinedale)
From Pinedale, it’s a few 2-hour drive, partly on tough (however 2WD satisfactory) dust roads to the Large Sandy trailhead.
There’s little to no cell service outdoors of Pinedale so make sure you obtain driving instructions, path maps, and verify climate studies earlier than leaving city.
For each of my Winds journeys, we drove from Montana and picked up provides and celebrated our journeys with victory meals in Pinedale. In case you have time, the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale is value a cease!
What To Know Earlier than You Go
Elevation
The Large Sandy Trailhead sits at 9,000 ft of elevation, so that you’ll begin this journey at excessive elevation and hike even greater.
The 25-mile loop features round 3,900 ft of elevation, with a excessive level on 11,434 foot Texas Go. The Cirque itself sits at simply over 10,000 ft, surrounded by half a dozen towers over 12,000 ft.
Altitude illness is usually a actual drawback for folks not acclimated to high-altitude backpacking — get our prime ideas for stopping altitude illness right here.
In case you’re coming from a decrease elevation, it’s possible you’ll wish to plan to spend a few days in Pinedale, Wyoming, at 7,100 ft earlier than beginning your hike.
Climate
The Winds are large mountains that spawn large climate patterns, year-round. Snowstorms are potential any month of the 12 months and thunder, lightning, and hail storms are widespread in the summertime months.
To scale back lightning hazard, plan to hike over passes and up peaks early within the day and keep away from excessive factors by mid-afternoon.
Pack sufficient rain gear, together with a , and be ready for climbing within the rain.
Mornings, evenings, and nights may be chilly even in the summertime so convey plenty of layers, , and . I additionally suggest a sleeping bag rated to no less than 20 levels.
Campsites
The Cirque is likely one of the hottest locations within the Winds so don’t count on solitude right here. However the basin is large enough to accommodate a number of teams of hikers.
Obeying Depart No Hint campsite ethics, search for already-established campsites, with an already flattened tent spot. There are lots of campsites tucked among the many boulders. Take into accout you will need to additionally camp no less than 200 ft from lakes and streams.
There aren’t any campfires allowed within the Cirque (they’re permitted in different areas of the Winds however the Cirque has very restricted timber and firewood).
Bears
Bears solely dwell in essentially the most lovely locations so it mustn’t come as a shock that the Winds are dwelling to many grizzly bears – and much more black bears.
To keep away from bear encounters, make noise when you hike, in your hip, and be diligent about holding a clear camp.
Correct meals storage is remitted within the Winds. Meals and scented objects have to be stored in IGBC-approved bear canisters or hung no less than 10 ft off of the bottom and 4 ft out from the tree.
Nevertheless, a lot of the Winds (together with the Cirque) is above treeline, the place there aren’t any timber for hanging meals so I’d extremely encourage you to make use of a bear canister.
Canisters may be rented for a small donation from the district ranger workplace in Pinedale.
Marmots
Probably the most generally noticed animal within the Winds is the lovely however probably harmful marmot.
You’re more likely to see them within the alpine, sitting on prime of boulders, surveying their territory, usually emitting high-pitched shrieks. They’re cute however they’re additionally notorious for tearing aside backpacks, raiding tents, and carrying illnesses.
By no means feed a marmot or any wild animal, regardless of how cute! Human meals is unhealthy for them and feeding teaches them to count on meals from folks. Additionally, as a lot as their squeaks might taunt your canine, don’t let your canine chase or harass marmots or any animal!
Bugs
The one animal extra feared within the Winds than the bears are the bugs. With a lot floor water, mosquitoes, gnats, and biting flies may be legendary right here.
The micro-menaces hatch in early summer time and normally peak from mid-June to mid-July. To keep away from bugs, goal for backpacking in August and September.
and might help, however a will do essentially the most to protect your sanity.
Water Sources
The Winds has hundreds of lakes; too many to call. Creeks and rivers join the lakes, as a winter’s value of snowmelt melts off the Continental Divide.
Snow and rain that falls on the east facet of the divide drains to the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Mexico, whereas precipitation that falls on the western facet of the divide drains to the Pacific Ocean.
Visiting the Cirque from Large Sandy, you’ll go to each side of the divide, crossing over at Texas and Jackass Passes! You’ll wish to filter all of your consuming water within the Winds however with so many sources, you gained’t want to hold greater than two liters at a time.
Horses, Mules, Donkeys, Llamas, and Goats (oh my!)
With loads of water, plenty of grassy meadows, and infinite trails, the Winds are well-known for being the most effective locations within the US to journey with inventory.
On my journey into Titcomb Basin (one other in style backpacking route within the Winds), I encountered horses, mules, llamas, and goats! As a result of rugged terrain of each Texas and Jackass Passes, you gained’t see inventory within the Cirque itself however you may encounter pack animals on the remainder of the hike.
In case you meet a pack string, or a single rider, say hi there so the animals can establish you as human and step off the path to allow them to move. The riders might direct you the place to face, particularly if they’ve lots of animals nevertheless it’s normally greatest to face on the downhill facet of the path.
Pay attention to your environment, nonetheless, and don’t stand someplace that you possibly can get pushed off an edge by a spooking animal.
Canines
Canines are allowed all over the place within the Winds and there aren’t any leash laws but when your canine doesn’t have glorious recall, contemplate leashing them in case you encounter wild or home animals.
Canines can convey an irate bear again to you and home inventory might kick or trample a canine that enters their house. Canines shouldn’t be allowed to method or harass different hikers, camps, or wild or home animals.
We had a canine with us throughout our journey, however this wasn’t her first backpacking journey. I wouldn’t suggest bringing your canine on this journey in the event that they’re not skilled with backpacking.
Technical Rock Climbing
The Cirque of the Towers is essentially the most well-known technical mountaineering spot within the Winds.
All the 2,000 foot excessive towers, together with Wolf’s Head, the Shark’s Nostril, Warbonnet, Warrior, and Pingora Peaks, that encompass the Cirque have been climbed and a number of other of them may be reached through extraordinarily uncovered however comparatively straightforward climbing routes.
Two of those routes–the northeast face of Pingora (rated 5.7+) and the East Ridge of Wolf’s Head (rated 5.6)–are listed within the 50 Traditional Climbs of North America.
The climbs could be rated 5-easy however they require vital outside climbing and multi-pitching expertise, route discovering, ropes, and conventional climbing gear (i.e. they don’t seem to be bolted).
Even in the event you don’t climb, it’s possible you’ll be handled to some prime campsite leisure as intrepid people make their technique to the tops of the towers.
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Gear
Take a look at our 3-day backpacking guidelines for a whole listing of the objects we tackle each backpacking journey.
However right here’s a few specifics you’ll want for backpacking the Cirque of the Towers:
- An accredited . These may also be rented for a donation on the Ranger district workplace in Pinedale.
- : carried in your hip or shoulder, the place you’ll be able to entry it rapidly.
- Head internet for bugs: this may actually assist save your sanity while you’re cooking or hanging out in camp.
- Trekking poles: the routes over Texas and Jackass Passes are very rocky and trekking poles might help with stability, particularly when carrying a loaded backpack.
- A light-weight tarp: I at all times convey a tarp and a skinny rope so I can arrange a shelter rapidly within the occasion of a sudden downpour — widespread within the summertime within the Winds
- Pack climbing binoculars for watching wildlife and rock climbers
- You’ll want to obtain space maps and your climbing route on your favourite climbing app earlier than you permit Pinedale.
- Carry a paper map of the Wind River Vary. You’ll need Wind River Vary South #727 or Beartooth Publishing’s map which covers all the vary.
Learn Extra
Backpacking Gear Guides
Cirque of the Towers Itinerary and Journey Report
Day 1: Large Sandy Trailhead to Dad’s Lake
- Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation achieve: 685 ft ft
- Highlights: Large Sandy River, Meek’s Lake, Continental Divide Path, Mirror Lake, Dad’s Lake
On Day 1, you’ll ease into your Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey with a gradual achieve for 7 miles to Dad’s Lake, passing a number of different smaller lakes and plenty of campsites on the way in which.
In case you get an early begin (tenting is allowed on the Large Sandy trailhead), you possibly can additionally move up Dad’s Lake and goal for Shadow Lake, 12 miles from the trailhead.
Quickly after leaving the trailhead, the path joins the Continental Divide Path, a 3,100-mile-long route that runs from Mexico to Canada. Round 125 miles of the CDT runs by the Winds, holding to the west facet of the Continental Divide.
Chances are you’ll run into thru-hikers on this part, or within the Cirque, as many CDT hikers detour off the primary route to go to the Cirque of the Towers.
Day 2: Dad’s Lake to the Cirque of the Towers
- Distance: 9 miles
- Elevation achieve: 1600 ft
- Elevation loss: 1350 ft
- Highlights: Shadow Lake, Texas Go, Lonesome Lake, Cirque of the Towers
On Day 2, you’ll go away the CDT and head east in the direction of Shadow Lake. There are lots of campsites alongside the shores of Shadow Lake (make sure you camp no less than 200 ft from water, in step with Depart No Hint ethics).
This a part of the hike requires some route discovering as you make your approach across the north shore of Shadow Lake after which climb up previous a sequence of small unnamed lakes to the highest of the drainage.
Close to the highest, be ready for some minor scrambling and rock hopping as you cross the Continental Divide at Texas Go. On the prime of the move, you’ll be rewarded along with your first views down into the Cirque.
The Cirque is a spherical valley surrounded by half a dozen 12,000-foot granite towers, which soar practically 2,000 ft over the valley under. The Cirque was scooped out by a glacier round 10,000 years in the past over the last ice, when a mass of ice greater than a mile thick sat on this valley, up in opposition to the Continental Divide.
Fastidiously hike down into the Cirque, being aware of free rock as you head in the direction of Lonesome Lake.
Though it seems to be inviting, there isn’t any tenting inside 1/4 of a mile of Lonesome Lake, per tenting laws.
There are many tent websites west of the lake, scattered across the Cirque. One of the best are tucked up in opposition to big boulders. Keep in mind that nice campsites are discovered, not made. Search for pre-existing websites and keep away from shifting rocks or trampling vegetation.
Day 3: Layover day within the Cirque of the Towers
- Distance: Varies
- Elevation achieve: Varies
- Elevation loss: Varies
- Highlights: having fun with the Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Lizard Head Meadows
Because you’ve labored so arduous to get to the Cirque, you may as nicely spend no less than a day basking in its glory! Plan to spend the day both stress-free at camp and watching rock climbers by binoculars or exploring the glacially-carved basin.
Potential facet journeys embrace circling Lonesome Lake, visiting Lizard Head Meadows to the east, or scrambling up the bottom of among the towers.
The method trails as much as the bottom of Pingora Peak and Wolf’s Head are well-trodden. You’ll want to hold an eye fixed out for climbers above you and an ear cocked for the warning cry “ROCK!” if someone kicks a rock or drops a bit of climbing gear. You may additionally hear “rope!” as they throw the ends of their rope right down to the bottom earlier than rappelling down from a climb.
Day 4: Cirque of the Towers to Large Sandy Lake
- Distance: 4 miles
- Elevation achieve: 610 ft
- Elevation loss: 1090 ft
- Highlights: Jackass Go, Warbonnet Peak views, North Creek, Large Sandy Lake
On Day 4, spend the morning absorbing the Cirque earlier than climbing over Jackass Go to the south. This move is much less strenuous than Texas Go however nonetheless features round 600 ft in lower than a mile.
On the prime of the move, pause for a final take a look at the Cirque earlier than persevering with down the move, across the west facet of an unnamed lake under 12,192-foot Warbonnet Peak.
This a part of the route requires some rock hopping and scrambling by a boulder subject wedged between a granite wall on the base of Warbonnet and the lake.
Novice hikers and a few canines might have points negotiating this part nevertheless it’s satisfactory with cautious steps and route choice by the rocks. Subsequent you’ll move one other unnamed lake, this time on the east facet, earlier than starting your descent right down to Large Sandy Lake.
There are quite a few campsites across the lake, however bear in mind this can be a in style tenting spot for events coming and going from the Cirque. In case you can’t discover a longtime web site right here, there are extra choices alongside the Large Sandy River and tenting can also be allowed on the Large Sandy trailhead.
Day 5: Large Sandy Lake to Large Sandy Trailhead
- Distance: 5.5 miles
- Elevation loss: 610 ft
- Highlights: Large Sandy Lake, Large Sandy River, Victory Meal in Pinedale!
On day 5, you’ll observe the Large Sandy River all the way in which again to the Large Sandy trailhead to finish your 25-mile loop. Then return to Pinedale for a victory meal!
Are you curious about a Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey or have you ever explored this gorgeous route? Tell us within the feedback!
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