Glacier Trail backpacking

Gannett Peak is on our state highpoints list, so we based ourselves in Dubois for several days and set off into the Wind River Range on a backpacking trip.  The forest rangers told us that the "big snow" winter was making it difficult to clear out the long approach trail, so we might find it challenging to get to the peak.  I didn't really have that much time to spend in the wilderness, as we were just getting going with my bike box creation and gear lists and all kinds of race prep that was about to take over my life.

But I definitely could use a couple days of hiking and carrying a big pack as race training.  And John was preparing for a week of trail work and carrying a heavy pack himself.  We decided to go explore the Glacier Trail anyway and see what we could see.  So we packed up like maybe there was a slight chance we'd be feeling peppy and want to make a run for the peak.

Loaded for bear.  And mosquitoes.  And glaciers.

It was actually really good mosquito preparation.  Even though the Cowboy Tough race course didn't actually throw many bugs at us, surprisingly, and happily.  My reports back to the team about being molested by those tiny buggers was enough to get everyone solidly prepped for the possibility of it.  And now I have a real strategy for whenever we head into mosquito infestation areas.

Starting off into the beautiful Wind River Range:

Thundering water pouring out of the mountains from all the snow melt in the warm weather.  Good thing there's a bridge here:

Heading up the first valley in the lovely morning sunshine:

Yes, it's another blog post about beautiful scenery:

Hello, marmot!

The start of the climb out of the valley:

John and his magic wand:

John wondering when I will stop taking pictures and focus on hiking:

OK, you carry the camera for a while  :)

The high pass led us over toward the snowy peaks, through willows and across marshes.  Yep, wet feet would be the norm up here, even with occasional bridges to help us out:

An interesting burn area and the stark trees:

Contemplating the creek below one of the many lakes.  I think we're aiming for that snow bank.  John isn't fond of aiming for snow-anything:

Amazing how much snow was still there.  It must have been super deep last winter.

Scrambling over the snow was worth it for the views of the next several lakes:

That's about where the trail was cleared to.  After that (we heard) there were blow-downs, multiple creek crossings, trail finding challenges, and plenty slow going.  It didn't take much (including my right foot getting sore) for us to decide to camp up here and call it a training hike.  We would have needed significantly more time to get all the way to Gannett under these conditions.

Not to mention food.  We thought we brought a lot, but it wasn't nearly enough for a longer effort.

So anyway, we found a wonderful spot above a beautiful lake and got to experience a night sleeping in the Wind River Mountains.  Excellent!

As we were setting up the space for the tent, John found a multi-tool that someone had dropped.  He tossed it to me, and even before I looked at it I said "Son of a gun!"

Actually, yes, it is an "SOG", how about that?

Ta da!  A superb tent spot above Double Lake, I like it!

We watched dark clouds occasionally loom over the mountain to the west, but they would all dissipate before reaching us.  I now know that they were probably raining on Pinedale, an afternoon occurrence.  This might be the dry side of the mountains.  Anyway, it worked for us and we didn't need the rainfly overnight, awesome.

A little trek above our camp to see more of the area:

Fun rocks to climb up:

The next lake over:

Filling up water and testing the Sawyers system as a way to send filtered water back into a Camelbak:

A most excellent place to hang out for the evening:

The mosquitoes were relentless outside the tent.  I was so happy in my long pants, long-sleeve bug shirt with hood, and head netting.  John said he has never seen me so calm in the face of biting bugs.  Didn't even need Deet.

Inside the tent, the no-mosquito zone.  This guy wasn't happy that he couldn't get in to torment me:

Sunrise from my sleeping bag:

Happy campers:

Packed up and ready to head back:

Morning lake stillness:

Mountain flowers:

It really is a nice trail.  It's just long and it takes a while to get cleared out in the springtime.  Apparently it's still springtime (this was July).  Anyway, it sure is pretty:

More reflective views:

"Why are you still taking pictures of me?"  Or maybe he's just coming in for a hug:

Lovely wildflowers:

Well, we made it back, had almost enough food (with rationing) and thankfully had more in the truck so I didn't get (too) grouchy, and we were happy with the training.  Lots of good scouting about what it might take to get to Gannett Peak eventually.  And lots of excitement about seeing part of the Wind River Range.  It's really something!