cathedral lake wyoming
4. The trail is immensely ugly with only a couple of redeeming features, and those features are very large rocks. We'll have 4 days so that's a pretty laid back pace but we're looking to get into an area where we can setup camp and explore and relax. Moderate 4.8 (5039) Grand Teton National Park. Be sure to check area regulations prior to setting out, as campfires and campsites are restricted throughout the basin to help protect the wilderness area. They are beautiful and bring back a lot of memories. Elevation Gain: 3,100 feet over 10.5 miles (9,400 ft to 10,626 ft). Only the off-trail option is doable as a day hike (shown on a map in Pallister's book). Why you should go: Cruise Wyomings Section 13 of the historic Continental Divide Trail. Review: Dickinson Park to Smith, Cloverleaf, Cook, Mendarrin, Middle, & Cathedral Lakes, Hiking and Adventure Map (Work in Progress), Day 1, 11 July: Dickinson Park to Cloverleaf Lake, Day 2: Mendarrin Lake and Camp at Cathedral Lake (My day of birth! _The Smith Creek Lakes and Cathedral Lake are accessed by either traveling directly east off-trail to Mendarrin Lake from the Lizard Head trail, or by wrapping east and north around the Lizard Head Plateau on trails from the Cirque of the Towers. Plus, the camping at Seneca Lake is some of the best camping in the Wind River Range, not to mention its world-class alpine fly fishing, too. Wildlife is prominent in this mountain range. At 10,250 we came to a small pond, and just beyond that the snow was suddenly gone (how does that work, from many feet to nothing), with a pleasant, flat area of granite over which the creek flowed. Thats a river of deception and leads up toward Wind River Peak. Related Read:Heres Why Leave No Trace Principles are So Damn Important. Its recommended for the Cirque of the Towers loop that you bring a map and compass and that you know how to use them. Related Read:6 Epic Backpacking Routes in Glacier National Park, Montana. Trip Type: Loop Applying DEET and wearing layers will help protect you from these little buggers. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. Camping near Halls Lake or further along at the Golden Lakes (just north of Hay Pass in the next section) would be recommended. Dan, thank you. For the most part we followed the river, deviating from it when it was easier to do that. All in all, its a highly accessible backpackers dream. RedLong-duration hikes, typically 5+days. Updated July 26, 2022. If you are looking for the perfect weekend getaway, this ones for you! This entire section of the CDT does not drop below 9,115 feet above sea level, so youll enjoy epic views from start to finish. The solid granite outcroppings always put me into something of a trance, so I stared at them for a while, and then got to fishing. That lasted for about 400 feet, and we were then forced back into the woods nearing the area between the lakes. I thought that the drainage proper would be hideous riparian zone, or akin to Clear Lake out of Green River Lakes, so I told mom that we should stay on our contour line. A wide, well-maintained trail offers great views and the ease of simply being outside. Fishing Cathedral Lake, WY on 4/10/2023 will be best from 12:00AM through 12:00AM, and from . Lakes such as Trapper Lake, Trail Lake, Gottfried Lakes, Borum Lake, and Summit Lake provide excellent campsite options and even better fishing! Lake Info Fishing Forecast Fishing Reports More Discuss ions. Whether youre looking for a quick overnighter or a weeklong expedition, your sure to find a winner with any of these trails. Grizzlies are active throughout the range. Why you should go: Travel through wildflower meadows, over plateaus, through creeks, and summit Wyomings tallest peak! Enjoy your time in this otherworldly wilderness Wyoming has to offer! The ease of the trail makes this area a great way to simply spend time in the Wind River Range wilderness. Mileage: 17 miles RT She describes it as miserable. The Seneca Lake out-and-back trip is a modified version of the Wind River classic. As with Titcomb Basin, snowpack is often the determining factor in how early or late in the season you should aim to start your trip. I have hope, however, that the Mammoth has receded enough that there is a possible non-glacier route following the southern edge of the glacier. Related Read:11 Backpacking Trips in the U.S. That Should be on Your Bucket List. Lembert Dome Trail: This 2.8-mile round-trip trail features stunning panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows. Dads Lake also has the benefit of being at a slightly lower elevation than some of the classic Wind River Range backpacking trails, so seasonality can be a bit easier to handle. Some of the easiest hiking trails in the Winds with some of the best scenery (even if theyre saying otherwise). And even during my couple trips to those areas, it seemed absolutely deserted compared to my local trails in Colorado. We also stopped for some pictures on the drive out! Excellent photography and fishing opportunities. And also from going south from New Fork Lake past Lee Lake. Wind River Range. Shy of 5 miles we came to the weirdest littlecreek? Some of our favorite day hikes are: Stough Creek Basin, Smith, Middle and Cathedral Lakes, Island and Thumb lakes in Silas Canyon, Lake Louise, and anything on the Middle Fork Trail, which starts at Bruce's Bridge at the end of Sinks Canyon, and takes us all the way to Wind River Peak. Bring bear protection, never hike alone, and make noise as youre navigating the backcountry. Once on the trail, consider spending the first night at Hobbs Lake or Seneca Lake and progressing on to Island Lake for the second. From Hay Pass, drop south past the east of Dennis Lake, and past the west shores of Golden Lake, Lake Louise, and finally Upper Golden Lake. On Lizard Head Plateau. Nights will be cold year-round, sometimes reaching freezing temperatures even in the summer months. One of these lakes goes by the alias "Flying Monkey Lake" (not on maps), and is the home of the largest Golden Trout in the world. Continue climbing northeast, and ascend the south slopes of Atlantic Peak (class 2). Experience this unique and remote high-elevation backcountry paradise by booking a ride with Cathedral Lakes Lodge up the 16 km (10 mi) private road. Your jaw WILL drop (if it didn't already) when you reach the crest of Jackass Pass and overlook Lonesome Lake and the Cirque. You can reach Seneca Lake by parking at the Elkhart Park trailhead and taking the Pole Creek Trail from there. Wed left Lander around 2PM (my house was very far away) and got to the trailhead at 4PM. The section from Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque of the Towers will be the busiest part of the entire WRRT. We made our way back down the outlet looking for a use trail, but there was just far too much snow on the ground, so we did a bunch of slipping and sliding. The lake itself was spectacular. Mom and I wanted to hike some of the reservation trails and didnt have too long to do it, so we picked Cathedral Lake. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park Anyway, dont let the beautiful valley ahead trick you. Thanks again. If youre planning a Wind River Range backpacking trip at altitude, consider how hard youre trying to push yourself, and make sure you know how to tell if youre dehydrated or suffering from mild altitude sickness. Also, they don't necessarily share the same parent. The trail is wide and a bit rocky as you climb through the heavily-wooded forest. Past this we messed up! Im here to serve you, so let me know if this wasnt helpful, or if theres anything I can do to make this better. The climb at the end was of course horrible and hot, and Im going to admit that we cut off some distance by going cross country for a bit. Considering taking on of the Wind River classics? Heres what to know before you get out on the trail: The Wind River Range is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, bald eagles, wolverines and grizzly bears, making it an incredible location for viewing rarely seen animals in their natural habitat. That said, its also extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and to follow bear bag or canister protocols at all backcountry camping destinations. You will need a permit to camp at the lakes. Just beyond the crossing we found a very old sign announcing our location, as well as the trail proper. (44 reviews) "All rooms are individually owned. (No lake trout or mackinaw in it). Be sure to pick up all dog waste and keep them on leash so as to not disturb wildlife. Temple Peak, the second-highest peak in the southern Wind River Range, is a class 3 scramble from the South Ridge route. Historical Weather. An extra day can be taken to climb Wind River Peak, the southernmost 13er in the range; definitely a worthy summit, with amazing views from what I've heard. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. This picture is property of http://jessiestrails.blogspot.com, Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Adventure Traverse (GREAT), Images But what does that really mean? The road is decent until the last mile or so, and even then it can be just fine as long as rain hasnt led to horrible bogging. It was slowly melting, which meant that the floor of the tent would be wet and thus colder, though the inside would be fine. After my excitement wore down, we had to find a place to camp. The lake itself was quite deep and flat-out flooded with the biggest trout that Id seen in Wyomingreally too big for my line! I cant describe how much I loved it. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is LANDER AP which is approximately 21 miles away and has an elevation of 5,557 feet (4,397 feet lower than Cathedral Lake). I dont know that this was the right choice, because the woods were thick and loaded with snow, which slowed us to a crawl. The trail is a bit rocky near the turnaround point, so trekking poles are suggested. After that, its all downhill. Day 3 totals: 7 miles, +817/-1427, 9294 min/9636 avg/9985 max. The terrain and elevation of the Wind River Range make backpacking here a challenge, albeit a worthwhile one. I have taken backpacking trips to the Cirque of the Towers and Temple Lake area, as well as the Titcomb Basin area; however, I have not completed the WRRT yet. This area was created in order to allow you to talk about topics other than fishing reports for Cathedral Lake. 3. Hike along the eastern ramps and shore of this lake (it is reported that the going is toughest at the beginning southeast end). Cathedral Lake Type: Lake Category: body of water Location: Wyoming, Rocky Mountains, United States, North America View on OpenStreetMap Latitude 42.8207 or 42 49' 15" north Longitude A map and compass are necessary while on this trail since route-finding can be difficult over rocks and snow. The Deep Lake Cirque from Deep Lake, Wind River Range. Keep following the trail past Poison Lake, and finally to Coon Lake. Length 13.3 miElevation gain 1,755 ftRoute type Out & back. Continue west until you get to the drainage of the Knife Point Glacier, your next destination. Elkhart Pass to Seneca Lake may be a short out and back trail, but its certainly not short on views. From Big Sandy Lake, switchback north on the well-worn trail to Lonesome Lake in 3 miles. If conditions/weather is not safe, day hike into the Titcomb Lakes, and exit to the Green River Lakes via the Highline Trail. Backpacking without a stove is the easiest, leanest, and safest way to wander the wilderness. It follows the crest of the Wind River Range in Wyoming, both off-trail and on-trail, for approximately 135 miles, giving special emphasis on staying close to the Continental Divide in the most scenic alpine areas. If so, I believe only slightly, for I've done my research based on the authorities on the Wind Rivers. Water feature? Here begins the true crux of the route: getting down the Mammoth Glacier to Scott Lake. After we were both bathed, we soaked up the campfire heat and I got pictures of the night sky. All Rights Reserved. Thankfully, Im a true pack-mule and had brought my Klymit Static V Insulated Ultralight (which I later gave away, as I dont care for the Klymits), which is much smaller than my moms Klymit Static V Insulated. We followed the trail past Cook Lake, but it wasnt pretty and I didnt get pictures of the lake itself. Mom got up with the sun, and I got up slightly after. Highway 1; Highway 101; Highway 270; Highway 70; . The range is also home to some of North America's largest glaciers. These walls certainly contain some of the most demanding rock climbs in the lower 48 states. Due to the heavy incline of this trail, making this a four-day endeavor will leave everyone happy. I would be honored if you used the picture as a reference, in fact. It was ugly and filled with dead trees. The strenuous Lizard Head Trail leaves the North Fork Trail in these meadows and climbs nearly 2000 feet to the bare upper slopes of Windy Mountain. We climbed the granite knob easily and got a nice view of the drainage, but if youre not in the view, you should just stick to the trail. You can buy yours online from them at this page so that you dont have to waste time when you get into townshow up and pick up. It attracts 775,000 visitors a year with its calm waters, beautiful beaches and desert weather with more than 300 sunny days a year. Sadly, my Thermarest Trail Scout had developed a hole, so my sleep wasnt as luxurious as the previous night! I wouldn't bet on it, however. Although, Castle Peak has a class 2 hike all the way to its summit, Cathedral Peak does not. To reach Peak Lake, continue west down the valley after Knapsack Col. Due to the nature of the WRRT, this trip is best savored by taking your time. We then went along a mostly-flat section that meanders through boulders and trees and was, in my words, so ugly I could stab my eyes out. The view from the top is off, as youll see Sanford Park, and it looks like you should be going there. The majority of this land is maintained by the National Forest Service, so National Forest rules and regulations of backpacking and dispersed camping apply. NPS Photo/J. Outfitters on their horses were headed up, so we stepped to the side. We had to go around one section of road when we were there, as it was completely trashed out, but USFS vehicle we saw did the same, as well as all the others. We started off in a bald section and went uphill into a very arid, dusty forest; the uphill climb lasted for a mile and only went up 372 feet, but the day was hot, so we both felt it. The lower elevation of Dads Lake comes with a longer hiking season. The Inn at Aspen 11 mi from Cathedral Lake Trailhead $153 per night Apr 12 - Apr 13 8.2/10 Very Good! The gal we were talking to, though, seemed mostly unfazed. Though its neighbor, Colorado, takes up most of the outdoor attention in the central western United States, the Wind River Range offers a fair share of notable outdoor attractions in its own right. An extra day is advised to explore the multitude of lakes around the Brown Cliffs here. Less people is always a plus. Pond? However, I don't think that style of travel is the best fit for this route. If you come prepared with a map and compass, you can link several trails and lakes together for the ultimate Wind River Range adventure. Why you should go: Take the trail less traveled through the Roaring Fork Basin to reach some of the most isolated alpine lakes in the Wind River Range. Travel here is high compared to other, harder to reach, trailheads of the Winds. The possibilities of creating a loop from Summit Lake are endless. The stiff climb, ascending 2,000-ft. up beautiful Pine Creek canyon, traverses aspen groves, spruce-fir forests and pretty meadows on its way to Cathedral Lake, an alpine jewel cradled in a stunning cirque of jagged granite summits and rugged ridges, anchored by Cathedral Peak (13,943-ft.). After approximately 2 miles, branch off to the right and ascend for 1 mile to Baptiste Lake. It was growing into the evening and we still had quite a ways left to go! Follow the plateau northwest all the way to Lake 10528 in Stough Creek Basin. Fly fishing is a very popular activity for overnighters of Dads Lake. When it comes to Wind River Range backpacking routes, there are a few premier trails to choose from, each varying in length, difficulty and terrain. Do make sure that you take the left in the forest just past Bald Mountain, though, or youll end up at Moccasin Lake. According to Joe Kelsey, "Above treeline, while the Forest Service doesn't maintain the trail shown on the Temple Peak quad, you shouldn't have trouble switchbacking to Temple Pass, the 11,480-foot saddle between Temple and East Temple Peaks.". (I saw it during my trip up Wind River Peak, in fact, and had a chuckle.) Our feet were really dang numbed by the experience, though. Unfortunately, wed wandered far from the trail and ended up on the hill overlooking Cloverleaf Lake. After about 10 minutes, we made it across, but it was sketchy. This trail can also be done in a shorter out-and-back fashion by just taking the Cirque of the Towers Trail to the Cirque before heading back, shaving the total mileage down to 18 miles. Only one section of road was sketchy, and even that wasnt too badjust some severe ruts from mud. Depending on where you decide to camp, there may or may not be trees large enough to create bear hangs, so bear canisters may be the most sensible option. 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