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The Cirque of the Towers not solely sounds prefer it could possibly be the subsequent installment of the Lord of the Rings film franchise, but it surely might 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 actual fact, 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 all the time 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 beneath I share the whole lot it is advisable to know to plan your individual 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 contains 27 miles of grime roads, the final 10 of which are typically 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 Cross however in case you have the time, it’s significantly better to make a 25-mile loop.
The loop may be hiked in both route, however clockwise is healthier for navigation and elevation acquire.
The route I took (and what’s outlined beneath) 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 method up the drainage previous a number of unnamed lakes to cross the Continental Divide at Texas Cross.
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 a minimum of two nights within the Cirque (it’s too attractive to not!), then you definately’ll go away over Jackass Cross to the south, mountaineering 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 toes
- Lowest Elevation: 9,085 toes (Large Sandy trailhead)
- Highest Elevation: 11,434 ft (Texas Cross)
- Problem: Strenuous
- Canine Allowed: Sure
- Permits Required: No
- Beneficial 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 toes and tons of over 12,000 toes. This excessive and distant mountain vary is known for its deep winter snow that doesn’t soften out till late summer season.
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 – befell 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 will not be 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, it’s essential 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 observe of backcountry utilization and situations.
Tip: Make sure you go away your itinerary with a trusted pal or member of the family, together with directions on the right way 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 lodge 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) grime roads to the Large Sandy trailhead.
There may be little to no cell service outdoors of Pinedale so be sure you obtain driving instructions, path maps, and test climate stories 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 toes of elevation, so that you’ll begin this journey at excessive elevation and hike even larger.
The 25-mile loop positive aspects round 3,900 toes of elevation, with a excessive level on 11,434 foot Texas Cross. The Cirque itself sits at simply over 10,000 toes, surrounded by half a dozen towers over 12,000 toes.
Altitude illness could be a actual downside for individuals not acclimated to high-altitude backpacking — get our prime ideas for stopping altitude illness right here.
If you happen to’re coming from a decrease elevation, it’s possible you’ll need to plan to spend a few days in Pinedale, Wyoming, at 7,100 toes earlier than beginning your hike.
Climate
The Winds are massive mountains that spawn massive climate patterns, year-round. Snowstorms are potential any month of the 12 months and thunder, lightning, and hail storms are frequent 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 satisfactory rain gear, together with a light-weight tarp, and be ready for mountaineering within the rain.
Mornings, evenings, and nights may be chilly even in the summertime so deliver a number of layers, a heat hat, and gloves. I additionally advocate a sleeping bag rated to a minimum of 20 levels.
Campsites
The Cirque is among the hottest locations within the Winds so don’t anticipate solitude right here. However the basin is sufficiently big 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 numerous campsites tucked among the many boulders. Have in mind it’s essential to additionally camp a minimum of 200 toes from lakes and streams.
There are not any campfires allowed within the Cirque (they’re permitted in different areas of the Winds however the Cirque has very restricted bushes and firewood).
Bears
Bears solely reside 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 whilst you hike, carry bear spray in your hip, and be diligent about preserving 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 a minimum of 10 toes off of the bottom and 4 toes out from the tree.
Nevertheless, a lot of the Winds (together with the Cirque) is above treeline, the place there are not any bushes 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 prone to see them within the alpine, sitting on prime of boulders, surveying their territory, typically 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, irrespective of how cute! Human meals is unhealthy for them and feeding teaches them to anticipate meals from individuals. 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 season and normally peak from mid-June to mid-July. To keep away from bugs, purpose for backpacking in August and September.
Bug spray and bug-repellent-treated clothes can assist, however a head internet will do essentially the most to protect your sanity.
Water Sources
The Winds has 1000’s 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 need to filter all of your consuming water within the Winds however with so many sources, you received’t want to hold greater than two liters at a time.
Horses, Mules, Donkeys, Llamas, and Goats (oh my!)
With loads of water, a number of grassy meadows, and countless trails, the Winds are well-known for being probably the greatest locations within the US to journey with inventory.
On my journey into Titcomb Basin (one other widespread backpacking route within the Winds), I encountered horses, mules, llamas, and goats! Because of the rugged terrain of each Texas and Jackass Passes, you received’t see inventory within the Cirque itself however you may encounter pack animals on the remainder of the hike.
If you happen to meet a pack string, or a single rider, say hiya so the animals can establish you as human and step off the path to allow them to cross. The riders might direct you the place to face, particularly if they’ve a variety of animals but it surely’s normally finest to face on the downhill facet of the path.
Concentrate on your environment, nevertheless, and don’t stand someplace that you may get pushed off an edge by a spooking animal.
Canine
Canine are allowed in every single place within the Winds and there are not any leash rules but when your canine doesn’t have wonderful recall, think about leashing them in case you encounter wild or home animals.
Canine can deliver an irate bear again to you and home inventory might kick or trample a canine that enters their house. Canine 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 advocate 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 may be rated 5-easy however they require important out of doors climbing and multi-pitching expertise, route discovering, ropes, and conventional climbing gear (i.e. they aren’t bolted).
Even in case you don’t climb, it’s possible you’ll be handled to some prime campsite leisure as intrepid people make their strategy to the tops of the towers.
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Gear
Try our 3-day backpacking guidelines for an entire checklist 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 accepted bear canister for meals storage. These may also be rented for a donation on the Ranger district workplace in Pinedale.
- Bear spray: carried in your hip or shoulder, the place you’ll be able to entry it rapidly.
- Head internet for bugs: this will 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 can assist with steadiness, particularly when carrying a loaded backpack.
- A light-weight tarp: I all the time deliver a tarp and a skinny rope so I can arrange a shelter rapidly within the occasion of a sudden downpour — frequent within the summertime within the Winds
- Pack mountaineering binoculars for watching wildlife and rock climbers
- Make sure you obtain space maps and your mountaineering route on your favourite mountaineering app earlier than you permit Pinedale.
- Convey a paper map of the Wind River Vary. You’ll need Wind River Vary South #727 or Beartooth Publishing’s map which covers your entire 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 acquire: 685 toes 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 acquire for 7 miles to Dad’s Lake, passing a number of different smaller lakes and lots of campsites on the way in which.
If you happen to get an early begin (tenting is allowed on the Large Sandy trailhead), you may additionally cross up Dad’s Lake and purpose 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 means of the Winds, preserving 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 acquire: 1600 toes
- Elevation loss: 1350 toes
- Highlights: Shadow Lake, Texas Cross, 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 numerous campsites alongside the shores of Shadow Lake (be sure you camp a minimum of 200 toes from water, in step with Depart No Hint ethics).
This a part of the hike requires some route discovering as you make your method 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 Cross. On the prime of the cross, 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 toes over the valley beneath. The Cirque was scooped out by a glacier round 10,000 years in the past over the past ice, when a mass of ice greater than a mile thick sat on this valley, up towards the Continental Divide.
Fastidiously hike down into the Cirque, being conscious of free rock as you head in the direction of Lonesome Lake.
Though it appears inviting, there isn’t a tenting inside 1/4 of a mile of Lonesome Lake, per tenting rules.
There are many tent websites west of the lake, scattered across the Cirque. One of the best are tucked up towards 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 acquire: Varies
- Elevation loss: Varies
- Highlights: having fun with the Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Lizard Head Meadows
Because you’ve labored so exhausting to get to the Cirque, you may as properly spend a minimum of a day basking in its glory! Plan to spend the day both stress-free at camp and watching rock climbers by means of 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 a few of the towers.
The method trails as much as the bottom of Pingora Peak and Wolf’s Head are well-trodden. Make sure you hold an eye fixed out for climbers above you and an ear cocked for the warning cry “ROCK!” if anyone kicks a rock or drops a chunk of climbing gear. You may also hear “rope!” as they throw the ends of their rope all the way 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 acquire: 610 toes
- Elevation loss: 1090 toes
- Highlights: Jackass Cross, Warbonnet Peak views, North Creek, Large Sandy Lake
On Day 4, spend the morning absorbing the Cirque earlier than climbing over Jackass Cross to the south. This cross is much less strenuous than Texas Cross however nonetheless positive aspects round 600 toes in lower than a mile.
On the prime of the cross, pause for a final have a look at the Cirque earlier than persevering with down the cross, across the west facet of an unnamed lake beneath 12,192-foot Warbonnet Peak.
This a part of the route requires some rock hopping and scrambling by means of a boulder area 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 but it surely’s satisfactory with cautious steps and route choice by means of the rocks. Subsequent you’ll cross one other unnamed lake, this time on the east facet, earlier than starting your descent all the way down to Large Sandy Lake.
There are quite a few campsites across the lake, however take into accout it is a widespread tenting spot for events coming and going from the Cirque. If you happen to can’t discover a longtime website 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 toes
- Highlights: Large Sandy Lake, Large Sandy River, Victory Meal in Pinedale!
On day 5, you’ll comply with 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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