Wind River Range
Wind River Range | |
---|---|
Highest point | |
Peak | Gannett Peak[1] |
Elevation | 13,804 ft (4,207 m) |
Coordinates | 43°11′04″N 109°39′12″W / 43.18444°N 109.65333°W |
Dimensions | |
Length | 100 mi (160 km) NW/SE |
Width | 30 mi (48 km) SW/NE |
Area | 2,800 sq mi (7,300 km2) |
Geography | |
Country | United States |
State | Wyoming |
Range coordinates | 43°00′N 109°30′W / 43.0°N 109.5°W |
Parent range | Rocky Mountains |
The Wind River Range (or "Winds" for short) is a
Two large
History
One of the men from the
Climbing was pursued in the mid to late 1800s by men such as
Much of the Wind River Range received federal protection as National Forest primitive areas during 1931–32. The Wind River Range is now largely protected by three federal wilderness areas. These include the Bridger Wilderness on the western slope, designated in 1964, and the Fitzpatrick Wilderness and Popo Agie Wilderness on the eastern slope, designated in 1976 and 1984 respectively. Together these wilderness areas protect 728,020 acres (294,620 ha), making the Wind River Range one of the largest road-free areas in the continental United States. Part of the eastern slope of the Wind River Range is also under the protection of the Wind River Indian Reservation.
Geology
The Winds are composed primarily of a granitic
Hydrology
Several major rivers have headwaters on either side of the range. The
The Bridger Wilderness contains over 1,300 lakes. These lakes range in size from less than 3 acres (1 ha) to over 200 acres (81 ha), with an average size of about 10 acres (4 ha). Historically, the lakes and streams of the Bridger Wilderness were devoid of fish, as were most alpine lakes throughout the Rocky Mountains. The first known transplant of fish into the area took place in 1907 when Colorado River cutthroat trout were introduced into North Fork Lake. Considerable fish stocking by individuals, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, occurred between 1924 and 1935.[6]
Ecology
The Winds are known to have a small
The range sits alongside many of the animal migration routes in the United States and contains several important passes, notably South Pass, 7,549 ft (2,301 m), at the south end of the range, which was one of the more important passes on the Oregon Trail as it passed through the Rockies. Aside from South Pass, which is at the southernmost tip of the range, no roads cross the mountains until Union Pass, 9,209 ft (2,807 m) at the northern terminus of the range. There are many passes between tall peaks across the continental divide, which runs through the entire range.
Recreation
The Winds are a popular recreation destination and the vast wilderness areas attract hikers, climbers and skiers. The Winds have many back country areas that see heavy use despite the relative remoteness of many of the trail-heads and the long approaches from those trail-heads to reach routes. Two of the more popular backpacking destinations are the Titcomb Basin (commonly accessed via the Elkhart Park Trailhead)[7] and the Cirque of the Towers (commonly accessed via the Big Sandy Trailhead).[8] The exposed granite in the higher elevations of the range is particularly attractive to climbers and areas such as Cirque of the Towers in the southern portion of the range are facing overuse issues as a result.[1] According to the White Pine Ski Resort website, the Winds are home to one ski area, White Pine, the only lift-accessible skiing and snowboarding in the range. Located near Pinedale, it is the oldest ski area in Wyoming.[9]
Trails
The Wind River Range has a number of trailheads for backpackers to explore, including:
- Big Sandy (elevation 9,080 ft or 2,770 m)
- Boulder Lake (elevation 7,780 ft or 2,370 m)
- Burnt Lake (elevation 8,000 ft or 2,400 m)
- Elkhart Park (elevation 9,280 ft or 2,830 m)
- Green River Lake (elevation 8,040 ft or 2,450 m)
- Half Moon Lake (elevation 7,600 ft or 2,300 m)
- Meadow Lake (elevation 8,040 ft or 2,450 m)
- New Fork (elevation 7,890 ft or 2,400 m)
- Scab Creek (elevation 7,870 ft or 2,400 m)
- Spring Creek Park (elevation 8,480 ft or 2,580 m)
A longtime popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, the Wind River Range has also played host to a number of wilderness and outdoor education programs. The number of trailheads and terrain variety have made it an ideal stage for learning and exploration.[10]
Hazards
Encountering bears is a concern in the Wind River Range.[11] There are other concerns as well, including bugs, wildfires, adverse snow conditions and nighttime cold temperatures.[12]
Importantly, there have been notable incidents, including
See also
- List of mountain peaks of the United States
- List of mountain ranges in Wyoming
- List of Ultras of the United States
Notes
- ^ ISBN 0-87156-267-7.
- ^ a b Funk, Jason (2009). "Squaretop Mountain Rock Climbing". Mountain Project. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ "Wyoming 13,000-foot Peaks". Peakbagger. Retrieved April 6, 2007.
- ^ Watson, Traci (October 20, 2013). "Wyoming site reveals more prehistoric mountain villages". USA Today. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
- .
- ^ A Guide to Bridger Wilderness Fishing Lakes. 1979, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- ^ "Titcomb Basin – Wind River Range, WY (40 mile route)". November 19, 2019.
- ^ "Cirque of the Towers Loop – Wind River Range, WY (45 mile loop)". August 7, 2019.
- ^ "White Pine Ski Resort". Retrieved November 9, 2012.
- ^ Staff (2016). "Wind River Mountain Range: Higher, Longer, Deeper – Woming's Largest Range". VisitPinedale.org. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
- ^ Staff (April 24, 2017). "Bear Safety in Wyoming's Wind River Country". WindRiver.org. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Ballou, Dawn (July 27, 2005). "Wind River Range condition update - Fires, trails, bears, Continental Divide". PineDaleOnline News. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Staff (1993). "Falling Rock, Loose Rock, Failure to Test Holds, Wyoming, Wind River Range, Seneca Lake". American Alpine Club. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ MacDonald, Dougald (August 14, 2007). "Trundled Rock Kills NOLS Leader". Climbing. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Staff (December 9, 2015). "Officials rule Wind River Range climbing deaths accidental". Casper Star-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Dayton, Kelsey (August 24, 2018). "Deadly underestimation". WyoFile News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Staff (July 22, 2005). "Injured man rescued from Square Top Mtn - Tip-Top Search & Rescue helps 2 injured on the mountain". PineDaleOnline News. Archived from the original on July 26, 2021. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
- ^ Staff (September 1, 2006). "Incident Reports - September, 2006 - Wind River Search". WildernessDoc.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2022.