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Wind River Logistics

Original Post
Kalil Oldham · · Jersey City, NJ · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55

Hi Everyone,

I'm planning a two week trip to the Cirque of the Towers in mid-August (hiking in on August 9 or so), and I've got a few questions about logistics. First, is there any trouble with a low clearance vehicle accessing the Big Sandy trailhead? Second, since it's a two week trip, we're considering paying for a gear/food drop. But it's pretty expensive. So, I'm wondering, just how bad is the hike over Jackass Pass? Finally, I'd be happy to receive any recommendations about mosquitoes, bears, campsites, or routes (we're interested in anything classic up to low 5.11 or so, definitely Black Elk).

Thanks much for your advice.

- Kalil

Charles Vernon · · Colorado megalopolis · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 2,655

Unless things have changed since I was last there, a passenger car makes it in just fine.

The hike in is really not that bad in my opinion. It's totally flat for about 7 miles or so until the pass, which is a bit of a hump but not too long. I think there was a trail of some sort the whole way.

We only had one day of climbing due to weather, but I thought Wolf's Head was one of the best routes I've done anywhere and surely the best of its grade. I've always wanted to go back and get thrashed by Black Elk, which looks amazing.

There's also a lot of great climbing, without the hump over the pass in nearby Deep Lake area--and you could still easily access Black Elk (which is not really in the Cirque) from there.

J Achey · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 155

That's a perfect time to go, Kalil. Mosquitos, which can be brutal in the Winds in July, are less bad in August. As CV says, the road is easy and the hike isn't bad. Hot and dusty on the long flats, though, so try to do it in early morning. I wouldn't hire horses for the Cirque. If you were worried about loads, it would not be unreasonable to zip back out to the trailhead to resupply your camp. As for routes, Black Elk is excellent, as are the easier classics in the Cirque, and Haystack over in Deep Creek (you could hit both places in two weeks without excessive backtracking) has outstanding long 5.10 routes.

Burton Lindquist · · Madison, WI · Joined Jan 2002 · Points: 4,215

Kalil:

You could easily do the hike out to the car park from your base-camp in The Cirque, drive into and back from town (or not if you have additional supplies stored in your vehicle), and then hike back to camp if you go with a light pack only and all within 10 hours I am thinking. I have done the same thing in this area when camping for an extended time of over 10 days. The 6+ miles from the car park up to Big Sandy Lake is sort of easy hike being a gentle incline. The hike over the pass is all good trail and not super far either way (maybe 4 miles one way?)... it's a hefty climb up and down for sure and especially if you stick to the main trail all the way (there is a climbers cut-off trail that avoids the final Jackass Pass climb-branches left and goes through the Arrowhead Lake mini basin). You should be past the the season for skeeters but it is easy at the very least to pack some light head netting that will make a huge difference if there are clouds of the these pest in-situ at the time of your visit. Bears? Just make sure you follow and adhere to the Nat. Forest Service guidlines..... store your food away from camp and perferably in canisters.... There are alot of really nice camping spots in The Cirque area. Give yourself time when first arriving to wander around and find the best spot (for all reasons.... food storage, water availabilty, best views, best access to the routes you wanna get at, and natural shelter (trees or even overhangs from large boulders). It's all there depending on what you like. I know of one nice spot that has all that but don't remember enough to explain exactly where it was other then that it was up above Lonesome Lake (below Pingora)to the lake's south. Climbing routes are of all kinds and difficulty.... I might suggest actually researching all route options in one of the climbing shops within 1/2 days drive of The Winds to get more recent and/or complete info over that of the available guides. The climbing guides are nice but do not have all the routes included that you may be interested in.

BackAtItAgain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 15

The hike from the back of Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque is not a picnic, and a bit worse than "not that bad". The horses at the Big Sandy Lodge will not go over the pass - so the gear drop would be at the first creek crossing past Big Sandy Lake - still leaving the hump over the pass. They will go to Clear / Deep Lakes.

Something not mentioned above - it is imperative that you understand the route to the Cirque is the "climbers trail" which traverses the boulder field on the north side of Arrowhead Lake - just cross it at its outflow - the follow carins to the low pass, the actual trail goes way higher and is quite demoralizing. Head for the world's most picturesque waterfall and make camp and relish in the Glory!

Hell - maybe you'll even see me there - that is the PERFECT time to go. Beware - Wolfs Head and Pingora NE Face are always occupied.

DallinH · · Utah · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 0

The hike from the back of Big Sandy Lake to the Cirque is not a picnic, and a bit worse than "not that bad".

Hike in and out with a pack can be done in under 3 hours. Almost no elevation gain until the last section of jackass pass, which really isn't bad at all. Easily feasible to hike out for a refueling halfway through a week or two week trip.

Keny Glasscock · · Salt Lake City · Joined Sep 2011 · Points: 95

When we did the cirque we had some friends who couldn't stay 2 weeks. THey humped in with extra food and fuel at the beginning of our second week and hung our for a few days climbing. WE shared our tents, stoves, etc once they were there so their loads weren't so bad. Worked out grest.

Cat Cahoon · · Seattle, WA · Joined May 2009 · Points: 1,042

The Cirque is Amazing! Bring a Headnet. your car, and the road should be totally fine. get alpacas to carry in your stuff :) Don't worry so much about bears in the cirque, but there are small camp critters. there are a variety of great campsites all around, but most climbers stay in the meadows by the south buttress of pingora. bring a headnet.

Kalil Oldham · · Jersey City, NJ · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 55

Wow, thanks for all the great information everyone. We're really psyched about the trip, and it sounds like we've chosen a good time of year. I know some of the routes are a little crowded, but hopefully with two weeks we'll be able to flexible on any given day. On a related note, is there a rule of thumb people use for thunderstorms in the Cirque? Like, shoot to be hiking down by a certain time? Thanks again for all of the tips.

- Kalil

lynne wolfe · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 25

I usually have between 2/3 pm as my turnaround, as many of the descents are.complex (wolfs head especially). Pay attention to the t storm patterns and builup, let that help guide your decisions.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Colorado
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