Wyoming: Cirque of the Towers loop via Fremont Trail (Clockwise)
Packing up! Excited to keep the total weight down to just over 25lbs.!
END OF JULY 2023
Sometimes something ends up on your bucket list by surprise. Maybe the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range had been in the back of my mind since first hearing about it years ago at IME Climbing Store in North Conway, NH. I knew the terrain, weather and elevation would make it a bit of a challenge. This adventure would be one of my faves. I have a lot of faves.
Cirque of the Towers to Fremont Trail Loop 24 miles
I was planning to take 4 nights out, but the mileage and weather made it 3 nights, 4 days.
If you think you would like to hike/back this area. I highly recommend! Love’d this trip.
A long dirt, sometimes rough, road in. 40 miles, 1.5 hour drive.
First day gaining altitude through the woods
Early arrival to Dad’s Lake. Before noon. Approximate mileage 5 miles.
About an hour after setting up camp at this amazing overlook a storm rolled in- right over the top. About an hour and a half of thunder and rain.
Another early morning, fairly low mileage and elevation gain. Beautiful sunrise over Dad’s Lake.
Marms Lake. Lot’s of people here. My guess it is near the junction to access the northern section of the Wind River Range
Looking towards the northern section of the Wind River Range
Rumblings of storm #2 early in the day as I head to camp #2.
A little bug pressure. Most of the time a little Pacaridin worked just fine without the head net.
Camp #2 view from the tent at Shadow Lake. Looking towards the “backside” of the Cirque of the Towers.
I made the decision to push through and skip camp #3 at Lonesome Lake. The weather was predicted to be clear…
Looking back on Billy’s Lake
Midway up Texas Pass. A kicker!
Descending the other side of Texas Pass. The Cirque of the Towers!
Although the best early light was long gone, being in the presence of the huge towers and walls with water flowing beside the trail, etc. it was a huge hi-light of the trip!
Heading towards Big Sandy Lake. Again, a front came through. Forunately it passed perpendicularly to me as I wrapped up the last miles 8+- with a large portion of the 3,400’ feet of gain and loss this day
Lot’s of flowers in the fields.