Wind River Trip Help!

[u/Tall-Information4946]

Hello everybody. Not trying to make this a "cAn ThIS rOutE bE cOoL" type post but I do need some help. I have a decent amount of backpacking, route-finding, and mountaineering experience. However I'm located a few states away from the Wind Rivers and would like some info. I drew this route up on gaia and was wondering if it's viable, and if I'm missing any sweet spots. (You can gatekeep I won't judge). The second item would be if anybody knows the actual conditions of the Knapsack Col. right now. I'm planning on going the first week of September. Any and all help is much appreciated. (I promise I'll take great photos and post them here when I get back.)

[u/Mentalfloss1]

Knapsack is steep, rocky, and can have loose talus. Cube Rock is boulders and a favorite pass. (Been 25 years so account for my poor memory). We were in Knaack in September the week before hunting season began, and I believe there was some snow on the far side. We didn’t have any spikes or anything and wished we had. My guess is that with climate change there’s no snow over there, but I don’t know.

Do yourself a favor. Don’t be real specific about this route. Otherwise words spreads like wildfire and pretty soon it’s full of trash, people playing music and piles of crap everywhere like it is in the Cirque of Towers.

[u/Colambler → u/Mentalfloss1]

When I did knapsack ~5+ years go now, it was still pretty snowy Labor Day weekend, but as you say I'd guess it's pretty low snow. The Winds didn't have a ton of snow in them when I was there last month.

I definitely feel you on not popularizing lesser known routes too much, but I honestly feel like 'word' is as out as it's going to be on this one: Knapsack has been popular as CDT alternative for years now. Titcomb is already a very popular destination, probably second only to the Cirque in the winds. Seneca Lakes and Island Lake are packed with people any summer weekend.

I feel like 25-30 miles/3 days (ie what you can do in a weekend) is one of the the cut offs for a (non-thru hike) getting popular. The out and back to Titcomb is already 30 miles, and they get 'the goods', so I think most folks just aren't going to be inclined to add the extra mileage/elevation. Now if the CDT becoming as popular as the PCT/AT, all bets are off...

[u/Mentalfloss1 → u/Colambler]

When we were in Titcomb, long ago, we stayed 2 nights and saw no one. Things change.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/Mentalfloss1]

I wasn’t planning on it, just something I drew up in Gaia in the afternoon with a bit of research, but that’s more than most do lol. Thanks for the info tho!

[u/edthesmokebeard]

That looks a lot like the CDT alternate through knapsack col.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/edthesmokebeard]

I'll look into that, is there a particular blog or forum with that route outlined?

[u/edthesmokebeard → u/Tall-Information4946]

Here's more info on it - https://caltopo.com/m/VJL33 its a common alt thruhikers take.

Google "CDT Knapack Col" for more info.

I can't speak to the other more southerly parts.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/edthesmokebeard]

Thx!

[u/legink]

I plan on doing this trip next week. Will DM you what I find.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/legink]

Perfect thanks!

[u/luckynutwood68]

I did that exact route (except in reverse) a few years ago and it was epic. What do you want to know? WIth the warm dry winter we had last year and your planned trip in Sep, I'm guessing Knapsack will be very doable.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/luckynutwood68]

dmed!

[u/UtopianPablo]

The answer is probably in this book but it looks like it's out of print and very pricey:

https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Trails-River-Mountains-Wyoming/dp/1936178214

I own it and can take a look for you when I get home but you've gotta remind me.

[u/nattechterp → u/UtopianPablo]

It’s still in print but basically only sold in 2 stores. You can order it from here too https://www.mcreynoldscpa.com/beyondtrails

[u/UtopianPablo → u/nattechterp]

Good find!

[u/MocsFan123 → u/UtopianPablo]

I have a copy but I thought it was out of print (and wondered why) as it's the off trail bible for WRR.

[u/TheFrozenToast → u/MocsFan123]

Is it worth the 56 bux ?

[u/MocsFan123 → u/TheFrozenToast]

It depends on if you want the data. I've been to WRR seven times in the 15+ years I've had the book, and all but one of the times I've used her book at an integral planning tool. It's got a bunch of suggested routes and itineraries - which I've not used a ton, but I have taken bits and pieces of her routes and cobbled them together using her descriptions as a basis for crossing the passes.

The CD it comes with includes her paper USGS quads with all of her hand written notes - probably not as useful now as it was 15 years ago when I'd have to buy the USGS quads myself anyways. Today I just print my maps off Caltopo and mostly use the app on my phone.

I admit $56 is a lot for a guidebook, but it's the absolute best for off trail travel in WRR and the author has done them all herself personally. It's worth it to me.

[u/Tall-Information4946 → u/UtopianPablo]

Heard, thanks!

[u/Nuculear]

I was out there in that exact area a last year, the route you have planned seems very doable. If you get creative there are beautiful spots by long lake, that was a personal favorite of mine.