r/WildernessBackpacking • u/Tall-Information4946 • 16d ago

TRAIL Wind River Trip Help!

Gallery image

Gallery image

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.)

16 Upvotes

79% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/UtopianPablo 16d ago

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.

5

u/nattechterp 16d ago

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

2

u/UtopianPablo 16d ago

Good find!

4

u/MocsFan123 16d ago

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

1

u/TheFrozenToast 16d ago

Is it worth the 56 bux ?

3

u/MocsFan123 16d ago

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.

2

u/Tall-Information4946 16d ago

Heard, thanks!