| |
|
| | |
|
| Backpack | 7.50 Miles |
1,000 AEG |
| | Backpack | 7.50 Miles | | | |
| 1,000 ft AEG | | 45 LBS Pack | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
[ show ]
| partners | | We hiked from Big Sandy Trailhead to Black Joe Lake in the Wind River Range in Wyoming. In a way it's a homecoming because I grew up in Wyoming. However, I've never backpacked in the Winds before. My family were hunters and fishers rather than hikers. While we spent a lot of time outdoors it wasn't like I do now.
Our total hike in hike it was about 7.5 miles with about 1000 feet of elevation gain. It was a fairly easy hike except for the fact that we were at about 10,000 feet.
The first six miles of the hike was along Big Sandy Creek. It was mostly forested with a few meadows that gave glimpses of what was to be seen up ahead.
I spent some of my time catching up with a friend who is currently living in Denver but will probably be moving back to Arizona. The rest of the time I took photos and enjoyed the views.
Surprisingly there were a lot of squirrels out and about. They were collecting their pine cones at a very fast pace. It reminded me that in the mountains of Wyoming it really was already turning to fall. It also reminded me that weather in the mountain here can change suddenly and it wouldn't be unusual for it to snow.
There has been a drought so most of the grasses are already yellow. Many of the trees had some color change as well. The creeks and lakes seemed to have plenty of water from run off.
When we got to Big Sandy Lake the views changed dramatically. We were greeted by the high peaks of the Continental Divide. There is something special about lakes and peaks all in the same frame! I was in photography heaven. We took a nice break at the edge of the lake and then continued around it to where Black Joe Creek ran into Big Sandy. Then we headed off uphill to reach Black Joe Lake.
The majority of the elevation was gained in the last mile of the hike. We finally got to the lake and then claimed a spot that would be our home for the next seven days. We set up our tents approximately 200 feet from both Lake land trail as required.
After setting up camp Joel and I explored along the south side of Black Joe Lake. Before we left we were warned that the route was nasty. I responded with a flippant, 'I like nasty!' and off we went! There was several rockslides that made traveling very slow. We had to climb up and over boulders piled on top of boulders. The views were quite outstanding. We only went about two thirds of the length of the lake before we turned back. We didn't need a big adventure to round out our day.
I went and checked out the drainage of the lake where it becomes a creek. There was a man made structure set up to control the water leaving the lake. It was in ruins now but it was easy to make out that it had not been a complete dam.
In that area it was quite rocky and one of my favorite high altitude animals makes it home in rocky areas like that. I was happy to see the little picas running about shyly. These picas were not as skittish as I'm used to seeing them. So I had a great Pica Photoshoot!
We had a few sprinkles of rain around dinner time. However, we didn't have to make use of the tarp that we had set up. We enjoyed our dinner of Parma Rosa Tuna while discussing our plans for the next day. We're going to go big and visit the Cirque of the Towers! |
|
Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated
|
|
 |
Big Sandy Lake |
76-100% full |
76-100% full |
| | | Lots of beautiful blue water! | | _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
