A Return to the Wind River Range in Wyoming

[routlaw]

Two summers ago my wife and I took a trip back into the Green River Lakes area of the Wind River Range in Wyoming. This is the headwaters of the Green River that connects with the Colorado River further south. Had a great time, gorgeous place comparable to anything else in North America so we just had to endure the trip again a couple of weeks ago. When I say endure, its the road into this place, calling it a rough ride would be an understatement and this year was no different considerably worse in fact. Literally took us just over two hours from where the paved road ends and the dirt begins to arrive at the USFS campground. Figure about 10-12 mph the entire way in. As one local puts it, "what isn't tied and strapped down will break".

Knowing what we were getting into this time we came better prepared. At the end of the paved road we deflated the tires by some 15 PSI on the Ollie, took the window shades off and laid them on the bed and made sure everything else was secured and shut. Yes the shades came off the windows on the previous trip among other things. I purchased a portable battery powered inflator for the return trip out to inflate the tires back up to their normal highway pressures. Money well spent, but one wouldn't confuse one of these devices with a real air compressor by any means but it works just takes extra time. 

Posting a few photos below, hope everyone can at least vicariously enjoy the trip, even if you never decide to embark on this journey. We took our kayaks this time, those lakes are just too irresistible not to paddle them. 

Thanks for looking.

Paddling the lower Green River Lake, fortunate this morning to have glass smooth conditions, such a treat.

My wife Trudi, cutting a path to the beach on the south end of the lake

As we approached the south end  of the lower lake a view to the east at Clear Creek Canyon comes into view

Incoming, low flying clouds once we hit the beach on the south end of the lower lake, time for a quick lunch before hiking down to the upper lake further south

Once we beached our kayaks on the lower lake we hiked up to the head or south end of the upper lake. This lake is much different in color due to the glacial silt and yes it really is this color but maintains a somewhat milky appearance. From the head of the lake you can attempt to summit Square Top Mountain seen in the upper left corner. Maybe someday but not this time around for us.

On the return trip back to camp on the lower lake there are some dramatic cliffs on the west shore that come right into the lake. The boats were disrupting the reflections though. All images (except the upper lake) from an iPhone 13 Pro, using RAW capture mode for those interested in hobby, upper lake from a Nikon Z7 & 24-70 F4 lens.

[routlaw]

Forgot to include one image of our Ollie in the campground, so it's attached below with Osborn Mountain providing the backdrop. BTW the campground is actually fairly nice about 35 or so campsites, each one spaced far apart and some of them quite huge by comparison to many other public USFS or BLM campgrounds. In two different years of being in there I am fairly certain we have not seen it fill up and this in mid July. Suffice it to say the road in is a deterrent but make no mistake RV's are in there everything from 5th wheels to tents. 

[SeaDawg]

So very beautiful,  @routlaw! Worth the time, and extra preparation,  I'm sure.

Thanks for sharing with us. 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Nice trip report!  We have friends that just came out of that area a few weeks ago, it’s beautiful!

I’m not sure what compressor you’re using, but I’ve found the Viair 400P to do a great/quick job filling large tires.

[routlaw]

@Wandering Sagebrush I have a Slime unit, can’t remember the model # but it was one with the highest specs on the shelf at our local Auto Zone. Thanks

[routlaw]

Gonna add just a few more photos from this recent trip. These from a hike on the Continental Divide Trail, heading north toward Gunsight Pass. Wildflowers were abundant in the area.

[VBistro]

What a gorgeous place!  Wind River Range is on my list.  Is the campground called “Green River Lakes”?  Would you mind sharing a link?

 

mb

[routlaw]

3 hours ago, VBistro said:

What a gorgeous place!  Wind River Range is on my list.  Is the campground called “Green River Lakes”?  Would you mind sharing a link?

 

mb

Yes Green River Lakes. Link to what? Be glad to just not certain what you are referring to in this case for a link. FYI the area is located north of Pinedale, WY and while not that far via miles it is a slow go due to two hours of dirt road driving towing. Beartooth Publishing here in Bozeman produces an excellent weather proof GPS map of the "Winds" well worth the money. I'm sure you could purchase via them directly or probably Amazon. Gaia and Alltrails are also very good resources. 

[topgun2]

Or - Maybe the Google Maps location below is what you're looking for?

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Green+River+Lakes/@43.2506963,-109.8784267,13.14z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x5352b31e958da103:0x4bc4df2737bd80bb!8m2!3d43.2733935!4d-109.8224102!16s%2Fg%2F1hhkrl13j?entry=ttu

[John Dorrer]

Square Top never disappoints. Back in 2016 with early morning fog.

[Ollie Ollie in Free]

Wonderful photos! Thank you for posting. This is a magnificent area. I have been in the Wind Rivers on horseback, but not yet in the Ollie. I know what you mean about that road. It takes patience. Also, be prepared for snow at virtually any time of year. We had a snowstorm on July 4 one time when we were in that area. As a friend from Wyoming put it about that neck of the woods, if summer falls on a weekend, let's have a picnic.

[routlaw]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed them. It truly is beautiful area, and that road keeps it from ever becoming over crowded or loved to death. Love the quote. Up in our neck of the woods I laugh and call it all both days of summer.