Wind Rivers Trip: Cirque of the Towers via Freemont Loop Day-Hike & Sunday Kayak

* RSVPs will open on Meetup at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1. Before then, you may sign up for this event by sending us an email at slchikingnature.campingtrips@gmail.com *

** Please read the entire description and review all linked materials before signing up for this trip. This trip involves a long, strenuous, remote, high-elevation, and challenging day hike suitable for experienced hikers in good hiking-shape. It is your responsibility to read the description and assess your ability level.**

*** If all 15 spots fill on this trip with the day-hike, we may offer a backpacking trip for the same hiking route on the same weekend. If you sign up for the day-hike trip, you are not eligible to switch to the backpacking trip.***

General Description:
This is a 2-night 2-day trip to the Wind River/Bridger Wilderness Area and Pinedale area of Wyoming on August 15 to 17. We will head up on Friday afternoon, camp Friday & Saturday night, hike Cirque of the Towers on Saturday, and have an optional kayak on Sunday before heading home mid-afternoon on Sunday.

Hike Information:
Cirque of the Towers to Fremont Trail Loop: This is a 23.3-mile loop with around 4000 ft of elevation gain. The starting point has an elevation of just over 9000 ft and a top elevation of about 11450 ft. Thus, your comfort with being at high elevation for a sustained period of time is highly important. We will do the loop counterclockwise. The steepest part of the loop is Texas Pass, which is 9 miles into the hike and it features 1300 ft of elevation gain in one mile. Climbing and descending Texas Pass involves traversing loose gravel and may involve some scrambling. It could also involve working our way across some patches of snow. The hike also features 13 lakes and passes along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. It also crosses several streams, brooks, and tributaries. We will plan to hit the trail between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. and finish around 9 p.m. This will permit us to hike at an average pace of 2 miles-per-hour while giving us around 3 hours for breaks and to enjoy the lakes and mountain views. Because the hike is challenging and in a remote area, we will be hiking in a group.
Here is the Alltrails page for the hike: Cirque of the Towers to Fremont Trail Loop, Wyoming - 653 Reviews, Map | AllTrails

Optional Kayak:
On Sunday morning, we will go into Pinedale and rent kayaks for a late-morning, early-afternoon paddle. Kayak/Canoe rentals are $50 a day (you are also welcome to bring your own boat if you get the necessary permits and AIS sticker and have the boat inspected as needed when entering Wyoming). See Services | Great Outdoor Shop. Our hope is to paddle on the New Fork River. As an alternative and depending on water flow and levels, we may paddle on Half Moon Lake or Boulder Lake.
Water Sports | Visit Pinedale, WY
New Fork River | Visit Pinedale, WY
When signing up for the event, please note whether you wish to participate in the kayak and, if so, whether you plan to bring your own boat. If you are joining us for the paddle, you are REQUIRED to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.

Camping:
We hope to secure a dispersed camping area along Big Sandy Opening Rd.
iOverlander | Big Sandy Opening Road
iOverlander | Big Sandy - Bridger NF
To help with the parking situation at the trailhead, which may be quite challenging, we may try and secure one or two spots at the first-come-first-serve Big Sandy Campground, which is adjacent to the trailhead. If so, we will ask that everyone chip in a few dollars to cover the campsite cost. And, some people will have the option of staying at the campground spot. Finally, if we have no luck with the campground, we might stage a car or two at the trailhead on Friday evening.
Bridger-Teton National Forest | Big Sandy Campground | Forest Service

Supplies/Gear: You are responsible for determining what gear and supplies you need to complete the day hike. We recommend you have at least 4.5 litters of water, or a means of filtering water (may not be possible from some of the lakes due to worms or other contaminants in the water). We also recommend that you have strong bug spray. Finally, because this is a bear area, you are REQUIRED to have a bear spray cannister that has not expired (we will check this Friday evening or Saturday morning and anyone without a bear spray cannister will not be permitted to join on the hike).

Weather:
Mountain weather in August is often unpredictable. While we will do our best to watch the forecast and make any necessary adjustments to the trips, everyone should be prepared for the possibility of a passing thunderstorm and significant variations in temperature during the hike. Also, if the forecast looks particularly unstable and electric, we may have to cancel the trip.

Attendee Cap:
Because this hike is in a Wilderness Area of the US Forest, there is a strict attendee cap limit of 15 for the trip. Of those 15 spots, 10 are reserved for people who have been on a previous trip, 4 spots are reserved for people who have never been on one of my trips, and 1 spot is a floater for either. If we fill all 15 spots for the day-hike/optional kayak trip, we may offer a backpacking option on the same hiking route.

Cancellation Policy:
Because our trips are popular and there are often waitlists and because it takes a lot of logistical planning for the trips, this event is subject to a $40 cancellation fee for any cancellation after July 18. The fee applies regardless of your reason for canceling after July 18. The cancellation fee is due no later than September 15, 2025, and must be paid via cash or check. Trip cancellation fees are our only source of revenue to cover Meetup fees and costs associated with our annual holiday party and, even at $40, they rarely cover all of our yearly costs.

Backpacking Option:
If we fill the 15 spots on the day-hike/optional kayak trip, we will try and offer a backpacking option for the same hiking route. This option would entail a two- or three-day backpacking trip, starting on Friday, August 15 and finishing on Sunday, August 17. Please expect to hike 8 to 12 miles each day. We are aiming to start hiking around noon of Friday, but the exact parameters of the trip will be determined by those who organize this option. If you are interested in helping organize the backpacking trip, please let me know. Please be aware that if you sign up for the day-hike/optional kayak trip, you are NOT eligible to sign up for the backpacking trip.