Grand Tetons or Cirque of Towers: Help me choose!

Late September

Climbing the Tetons or the Cirque of Towers?

Which one is your favorite?

I would have troubles choosing, except for the fact that I have driven by the Grand so many times in late September with absolutely perfect weather (although the perfect weather is not always necessarily the case). It looks so awesome that time of year, not to mention the fact that if a fluke storm comes you will be far more likely to be able to get back to civilation from the Grand than from the Cirque.

On the other hand, Pingora is a fantastic route, and Wolf's Head is by far the most incredible 5.5 (it won't seem like a 5.5 although it isn't any harder than that) I have ever done.

sometimes tetons has lots of people, depending. I had one trip in October, no people, epic. I had another trip to the Grand, it was a cluster of people everywhere (weekend). I've been to the Winds once, and I have to say I probably will never go back to the Tetons (climb/hike) if I can choose the Winds. Just me.

If we are in a pretty stable pattern with high pressure, Winds. If the weather is a little bit unsettled, Tetons.

That said, they are both remarkable destinations with different feels. The Winds feel like backcountry cragging with a backpacking trip and the Tetons feel like mountaineering. Maybe tell us what you are looking for?

Im down for either, you better give me a call when you are in utah.

What flyk said: "If we are in a pretty stable pattern with high pressure, Winds."

Dependable weather in the Winds is to be treasured.

Both a are great but air temperature will be a big factor that time of year depending on the difficulty of the routes you intend to do (too cold and its hard to crimp). The Wind Rivers tend to have a shorter approach that is less steep, fewer rules (not a national park), more consistently high quality rock and fewer people than the usual routes on the Grand. Deep lake area - Haystack peak (on way to the Cirque) is another awesome option that catches a lot of sun and is an easier approach with fast decent down the grassy goat ledges so adds a margin of safety. Cirque routes are classic but sometimes more complex to descend.