When encountering the grandeur and vastness of the Winds, I found myself floored in disbelief with each step and every turn. Home to some of the tallest mountains in Wyoming, the Wind River Range is a stunning, rugged, and secluded area split in half by the Continental Divide. Containing two national forests and three wilderness areas, the mountain range—located some 71 miles southeast of the Tetons—has a lifetime of trips to offer, especially in the early fall season when the mosquitos die down. As someone who had never backpacked before, this trip felt like a healthy combination of work and reward.
Meeting some friends from Instagram, I was invited to Lander, WY for an impromptu backpacking trip. With no experience, I gladly agreed to spend four days in the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range.
Read on a for a detailed trip report, dos & don'ts, and an essential packlist.