The Cirque of the Towers not solely sounds prefer it may very well be the following installment of the Lord of the Rings film franchise, but it surely may additionally simply stand in for the trilogy’s mythological Center Earth.
One of many jewels of Wyoming’s Wind River Vary, the Cirque of the Towers is a hoop of 12,000-foot-high granite peaks that crown the Continental Divide — and it’s an epic backpacking spot.
However the space’s distant location (two hours southeast of Grand Teton Nationwide Park) and lengthy multi-day method maintain crowds at bay.
In actual fact, you don’t even want a allow for this backpacking journey!
For years, the Wind River Vary was my final fantasy place to go to. It appeared like each time I noticed a surprising picture of sharp silvery granite peaks in {a magazine} the caption at all times pointed to the Winds.
After I lastly backpacked into the Cirque of the Towers for 4 days one early August, the surroundings and setting simply surpassed my excessive expectations, and beneath I share every part you could know to plan your individual Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey.
Be a part of our group for entry to our free member assets!
Obtain Useful Outside Packing Checklists & Journey Planning Guides
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Overview
There are a number of methods to method the Cirque of the Towers however the closest entry trailhead is the Massive Sandy trailhead, about 2 hours of driving from Pinedale, Wyoming.
This drive contains 27 miles of filth roads, the final 10 of which are usually tough however are often satisfactory in a 2WD automobile.
It’s potential to hike to the Cirque as a 18-mile out and again through Massive Sandy Lake over Jackass Move however when you have the time, it’s a lot better to make a 25-mile loop.
The loop could be hiked in both route, however clockwise is best for navigation and elevation acquire.
The route I took (and what’s outlined beneath) begins from the Massive Sandy trailhead and heads due north previous Meeks Lake and onto the Continental Divide Path. Then you definitely’ll head east to Shadow Lake and start making your means up the drainage previous a number of unnamed lakes to cross the Continental Divide at Texas Move.
On the prime, you’ll get your first look down into the Cirque, which is tucked on the east facet of the Continental Divide. Plan to spend at the least two nights within the Cirque (it’s too attractive to not!), you then’ll go away over Jackass Move to the south, mountaineering previous Massive Sandy Lake to return again to the Massive Sandy trailhead.
CIRQUE OF THE TOWERS TRAIL STATS
- Whole Distance: 25 miles
- Whole Elevation Achieve: 3,900 ft
- Lowest Elevation: 9,085 ft (Massive Sandy trailhead)
- Highest Elevation: 11,434 ft (Texas Move)
- Issue: Strenuous
- Canine Allowed: Sure
- Permits Required: No
- Beneficial Time: 5 days/4 nights (together with 1 layover day within the Cirque)
- Cell Service: None
Finest Time To Backpack the Cirque of the Towers
The Wind River Vary has 40 peaks over 13,000 ft and tons of over 12,000 ft. This excessive and distant mountain vary is legendary for its deep winter snow that doesn’t soften out till late summer time.
The perfect time for a Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey is in August or September when the snow has melted from the passes and the bugs have tapered off. However remember that winter returns shortly to the Winds and main snowstorms can happen in September and October.
On low snow years, the Cirque of the Towers could also be accessible in June and July, however mosquitoes and biting flies are worse earlier in the summertime, often peaking from mid-June to mid-July. July and August are additionally when wildflowers are most current within the Winds.
Each of my backpacking journeys into the Wind River Vary – to the Cirque of the Towers and Titcomb Basin – happened in early to mid-August and the timing was excellent. The times had been heat, the nights cool (however not chilly), and the bugs had been very manageable.
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Permits
Permits should not required for backpacking journeys into the Winds.
The one those that want permits are organized teams (like Boy Scouts) and in a single day inventory customers (horses, mules, donkeys, llamas and pack goats).
Nevertheless, you should self-register on the trailhead.
Registration stations are discovered in any respect main trailheads, the place guests are requested to sign up and go away feedback. These registers are utilized by the Forest Service to maintain observe of backcountry utilization and circumstances.
Tip: Make sure you go away your itinerary with a trusted buddy or member of the family, together with directions on learn how to alert authorities if you don’t return as deliberate.
Attending to the Cirque of the Towers
The Wind River Vary is positioned in west central Wyoming, two hours southeast of Grand Teton Nationwide Park. The closest cities are Pinedale on the west facet of the vary, Lander to the east, and Dubois to the north.
All of those cities have grocery shops, eating places, and resort rooms however none of them have main airports.
The closest airports to Cirque of the Towers are:
- Jackson Gap, Wyoming (1.5-hour drive to Pinedale)
- Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah (4-hour drive to Pinedale)
From Pinedale, it’s a few 2-hour drive, partly on tough (however 2WD satisfactory) filth roads to the Massive Sandy trailhead.
There’s little to no cell service outdoors of Pinedale so you should definitely obtain driving instructions, path maps, and verify climate experiences earlier than leaving city.
For each of my Winds journeys, we drove from Montana and picked up provides and celebrated our journeys with victory meals in Pinedale. When you have time, the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale is value a cease!
What To Know Earlier than You Go
Elevation
The Massive Sandy Trailhead sits at 9,000 ft of elevation, so that you’ll begin this journey at excessive elevation and hike even increased.
The 25-mile loop beneficial properties round 3,900 ft of elevation, with a excessive level on 11,434 foot Texas Move. The Cirque itself sits at simply over 10,000 ft, surrounded by half a dozen towers over 12,000 ft.
Altitude illness generally is a actual drawback for individuals not acclimated to high-altitude backpacking — get our top tips for preventing altitude sickness here.
When you’re coming from a decrease elevation, you might wish to plan to spend a few days in Pinedale, Wyoming, at 7,100 ft earlier than beginning your hike.
Climate
The Winds are huge mountains that spawn huge climate patterns, year-round. Snowstorms are potential any month of the yr and thunder, lightning, and hail storms are frequent in the summertime months.
To scale back lightning hazard, plan to hike over passes and up peaks early within the day and keep away from excessive factors by mid-afternoon.
Pack adequate rain gear, together with a lightweight tarp, and be ready for hiking in the rain.
Mornings, evenings, and nights could be chilly even in the summertime so bring lots of layers, a warm hat, and gloves. I additionally suggest a sleeping bag rated to at least 20 degrees.
Campsites
The Cirque is among the hottest locations within the Winds so don’t anticipate solitude right here. However the basin is sufficiently big to accommodate a number of teams of hikers.
Obeying Leave No Trace campsite ethics, search for already-established campsites, with an already flattened tent spot. There are lots of campsites tucked among the many boulders. Take into account you should additionally camp at the least 200 ft from lakes and streams.
There aren’t any campfires allowed within the Cirque (they’re permitted in different areas of the Winds however the Cirque has very restricted bushes and firewood).
Bears
Bears solely dwell in probably the most lovely locations so it shouldn’t come as a shock that the Winds are dwelling to many grizzly bears – and much more black bears.
To keep away from bear encounters, make noise whilst you hike, carry bear spray in your hip, and be diligent about conserving a clear camp.
Correct meals storage is remitted within the Winds. Meals and scented gadgets have to be stored in IGBC-approved bear canisters or hung at the least 10 ft off of the bottom and 4 ft out from the tree.
Nevertheless, a lot of the Winds (together with the Cirque) is above treeline, the place there aren’t any bushes for hanging meals so I’d extremely encourage you to make use of a bear canister.
Canisters could be rented for a small donation from the district ranger workplace in Pinedale.
Marmots
Probably the most generally noticed animal within the Winds is the cute however doubtlessly harmful marmot.
You’re prone to see them within the alpine, sitting on prime of boulders, surveying their territory, typically emitting high-pitched shrieks. They’re cute however they’re additionally notorious for tearing aside backpacks, raiding tents, and carrying illnesses.
By no means feed a marmot or any wild animal, irrespective of how cute! Human meals is unhealthy for them and feeding teaches them to anticipate meals from individuals. Additionally, as a lot as their squeaks might taunt your canine, don’t let your canine chase or harass marmots or any animal!
Bugs
The one animal extra feared within the Winds than the bears are the bugs. With a lot floor water, mosquitoes, gnats, and biting flies could be legendary right here.
The micro-menaces hatch in early summer time and often peak from mid-June to mid-July. To keep away from bugs, purpose for backpacking in August and September.
Bug spray and bug-repellent-treated clothing can assist, however a head net will do probably the most to protect your sanity.
Water Sources
The Winds has hundreds of lakes; too many to call. Creeks and rivers join the lakes, as a winter’s value of snowmelt melts off the Continental Divide.
Snow and rain that falls on the east facet of the divide drains to the Atlantic Ocean through the Gulf of Mexico, whereas precipitation that falls on the western facet of the divide drains to the Pacific Ocean.
Visiting the Cirque from Massive Sandy, you’ll go to each side of the divide, crossing over at Texas and Jackass Passes! You’ll wish to filter all of your consuming water within the Winds however with so many sources, you received’t want to hold greater than two liters at a time.
Horses, Mules, Donkeys, Llamas, and Goats (oh my!)
With loads of water, numerous grassy meadows, and infinite trails, the Winds are well-known for being probably the greatest locations within the US to journey with inventory.
On my journey into Titcomb Basin (one other well-liked backpacking route within the Winds), I encountered horses, mules, llamas, and goats! Because of the rugged terrain of each Texas and Jackass Passes, you received’t see inventory within the Cirque itself however you may encounter pack animals on the remainder of the hike.
When you meet a pack string, or a single rider, say hiya so the animals can determine you as human and step off the path to allow them to move. The riders might direct you the place to face, particularly if they’ve numerous animals but it surely’s often greatest to face on the downhill facet of the path.
Pay attention to your environment, nevertheless, and don’t stand someplace that you may get pushed off an edge by a spooking animal.
Canine
Canine are allowed all over the place within the Winds and there aren’t any leash laws but when your canine doesn’t have wonderful recall, contemplate leashing them in case you encounter wild or home animals.
Canine can deliver an irate bear again to you and home inventory might kick or trample a canine that enters their house. Canine shouldn’t be allowed to method or harass different hikers, camps, or wild or home animals.
We had a canine with us throughout our journey, however this wasn’t her first backpacking journey. I wouldn’t suggest bringing your canine on this journey in the event that they’re not skilled with backpacking.
Technical Rock Climbing
The Cirque of the Towers is probably the most well-known technical mountaineering spot within the Winds.
The entire 2,000 foot excessive towers, together with Wolf’s Head, the Shark’s Nostril, Warbonnet, Warrior, and Pingora Peaks, that encompass the Cirque have been climbed and several other of them could be reached through extraordinarily uncovered however comparatively simple climbing routes.
Two of those routes–the northeast face of Pingora (rated 5.7+) and the East Ridge of Wolf’s Head (rated 5.6)–are listed within the 50 Basic Climbs of North America.
The climbs could be rated 5-easy however they require important outside climbing and multi-pitching expertise, route discovering, ropes, and conventional climbing gear (i.e. they don’t seem to be bolted).
Even in the event you don’t climb, you might be handled to some prime campsite leisure as intrepid people make their technique to the tops of the towers.
Cirque of the Towers Backpacking Gear
Take a look at our 3-day backpacking checklist for an entire checklist of the gadgets we tackle each backpacking journey.
However right here’s a few specifics you’ll want for backpacking the Cirque of the Towers:
- An authorized bear canister for food storage. These may also be rented for a donation on the Ranger district workplace in Pinedale.
- Bear spray: carried in your hip or shoulder, the place you’ll be able to entry it shortly.
- Head net for bugs: this will actually assist save your sanity while you’re cooking or hanging out in camp.
- Trekking poles: the routes over Texas and Jackass Passes are very rocky and trekking poles can assist with stability, particularly when carrying a loaded backpack.
- A lightweight tarp: I at all times deliver a tarp and a skinny rope so I can arrange a shelter shortly within the occasion of a sudden downpour — frequent within the summertime within the Winds
- Pack hiking binoculars for watching wildlife and rock climbers
- Make sure you obtain space maps and your mountaineering route on your favorite hiking app earlier than you allow Pinedale.
- Carry a paper map of the Wind River Vary. You’ll need Wind River Range South #727 or Beartooth Publishing’s map which covers the complete vary.
Learn Extra
Backpacking Gear Guides
Cirque of the Towers Itinerary and Journey Report
Day 1: Massive Sandy Trailhead to Dad’s Lake
- Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation acquire: 685 ft ft
- Highlights: Massive Sandy River, Meek’s Lake, Continental Divide Path, Mirror Lake, Dad’s Lake
On Day 1, you’ll ease into your Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey with a gradual acquire for 7 miles to Dad’s Lake, passing a number of different smaller lakes and plenty of campsites on the best way.
When you get an early begin (tenting is allowed on the Massive Sandy trailhead), you may additionally move up Dad’s Lake and purpose for Shadow Lake, 12 miles from the trailhead.
Quickly after leaving the trailhead, the path joins the Continental Divide Path, a 3,100-mile-long route that runs from Mexico to Canada. Round 125 miles of the CDT runs by the Winds, conserving to the west facet of the Continental Divide.
You could run into thru-hikers on this part, or within the Cirque, as many CDT hikers detour off the primary route to go to the Cirque of the Towers.
Day 2: Dad’s Lake to the Cirque of the Towers
- Distance: 9 miles
- Elevation acquire: 1600 ft
- Elevation loss: 1350 ft
- Highlights: Shadow Lake, Texas Move, Lonesome Lake, Cirque of the Towers
On Day 2, you’ll go away the CDT and head east in direction of Shadow Lake. There are lots of campsites alongside the shores of Shadow Lake (you should definitely camp at the least 200 ft from water, in line with Leave No Trace ethics).
This a part of the hike requires some route discovering as you make your means across the north shore of Shadow Lake after which climb up previous a sequence of small unnamed lakes to the highest of the drainage.
Close to the highest, be ready for some minor scrambling and rock hopping as you cross the Continental Divide at Texas Move. On the prime of the move, you’ll be rewarded along with your first views down into the Cirque.
The Cirque is a spherical valley surrounded by half a dozen 12,000-foot granite towers, which soar practically 2,000 ft over the valley beneath. The Cirque was scooped out by a glacier round 10,000 years in the past over the past ice, when a mass of ice greater than a mile thick sat on this valley, up in opposition to the Continental Divide.
Rigorously hike down into the Cirque, being aware of unfastened rock as you head in direction of Lonesome Lake.
Though it seems to be inviting, there is no such thing as a tenting inside 1/4 of a mile of Lonesome Lake, per tenting laws.
There are many tent websites west of the lake, scattered across the Cirque. The perfect are tucked up in opposition to large boulders. Do not forget that nice campsites are discovered, not made. Search for pre-existing websites and keep away from transferring rocks or trampling vegetation.
Day 3: Layover day within the Cirque of the Towers
- Distance: Varies
- Elevation acquire: Varies
- Elevation loss: Varies
- Highlights: having fun with the Cirque of the Towers, Lonesome Lake, Lizard Head Meadows
Because you’ve labored so arduous to get to the Cirque, you may as properly spend at the least a day basking in its glory! Plan to spend the day both stress-free at camp and watching rock climbers by binoculars or exploring the glacially-carved basin.
Potential facet journeys embody circling Lonesome Lake, visiting Lizard Head Meadows to the east, or scrambling up the bottom of a few of the towers.
The method trails as much as the bottom of Pingora Peak and Wolf’s Head are well-trodden. Make sure you maintain a watch out for climbers above you and an ear cocked for the warning cry “ROCK!” if any individual kicks a rock or drops a bit of climbing gear. You may additionally hear “rope!” as they throw the ends of their rope right down to the bottom earlier than rappelling down from a climb.
Day 4: Cirque of the Towers to Massive Sandy Lake
- Distance: 4 miles
- Elevation acquire: 610 ft
- Elevation loss: 1090 ft
- Highlights: Jackass Move, Warbonnet Peak views, North Creek, Massive Sandy Lake
On Day 4, spend the morning absorbing the Cirque earlier than climbing over Jackass Move to the south. This move is much less strenuous than Texas Move however nonetheless beneficial properties round 600 ft in lower than a mile.
On the prime of the move, pause for a final take a look at the Cirque earlier than persevering with down the move, across the west facet of an unnamed lake beneath 12,192-foot Warbonnet Peak.
This a part of the route requires some rock hopping and scrambling by a boulder area wedged between a granite wall on the base of Warbonnet and the lake.
Novice hikers and a few canine might have points negotiating this part but it surely’s satisfactory with cautious steps and route choice by the rocks. Subsequent you’ll move one other unnamed lake, this time on the east facet, earlier than starting your descent right down to Massive Sandy Lake.
There are quite a few campsites across the lake, however consider this can be a well-liked tenting spot for events coming and going from the Cirque. When you can’t discover a longtime website right here, there are extra choices alongside the Massive Sandy River and tenting can also be allowed on the Massive Sandy trailhead.
Day 5: Massive Sandy Lake to Massive Sandy Trailhead
- Distance: 5.5 miles
- Elevation loss: 610 ft
- Highlights: Massive Sandy Lake, Massive Sandy River, Victory Meal in Pinedale!
On day 5, you’ll observe the Massive Sandy River all the best way again to the Massive Sandy trailhead to finish your 25-mile loop. Then return to Pinedale for a victory meal!
Are you interested by a Cirque of the Towers backpacking journey or have you ever explored this gorgeous route? Tell us within the feedback!
Associated
