Wind River Range Conditions

Hello!

I'm looking to go backpacking in the Wind River Range area sometime in Mid-June. It seems like most years there is too much snow to go during this time, but it seems like there is a lot less snow this year in that region. Anyone know what trails would be open in Mid-June and what current trail conditions look like?

Theres not a lot less snow this year. It's been a late runoff so far. Call the Great Outdoor Shop in Pinedale, Wy.

When does the climbing season generally start for the cirque area?

Christian Sperry wrote: When does the climbing season generally start for the cirque area?

Beginning of July but expect to need crampons/axe for some approaches/descents that early.

We drove 28 from south of Lander past South Pass on Monday.  Pretty snowy!  Runoff didn't look to be fully realized yet.  Was a cool stretch of weather in the last week.

Wyoming Snotel 28 May 2020

I think dry conditions in the cirque for camping start in probably early/mid July-ish on an average snow year.

Useful info from Pinedale:

​https://www.greatoutdoorshop.com/blog/2020/05/22/trail-conditions-report-5-22-2020/​​​

Any updated road/snow beta on Big Sandy TH and the Cirque conditions? 

FWIW I was climbing in/around the Cirque last year late June and it was totally fine re: snow. I had friends in earlier than that. And the winter of 18/19 was a pretty big winter as well. It was very warm in the area recently (hit 80+ in Jackson) and I would expect a lot of snow melted.

We just used the forecast of a cold night to climb S. Buttress of Pingora two days ago. We camped well short of the Cirque and made our approach in the cold early morning when the snow was frozen. Most of the Cirque is still snow covered and the trail above the  creek crossing below North Lake is probably 40%-50% snow which makes the trail even less pleasant than usual. The snow is isothermal and non supportive after the morning thaw if you are lucky enough to get a freeze. The last two nights the snow did not freeze and travel would be a real pain in the ass. The trail to Big Sandy lake is dry and the bugs were just beginning to come out.
Any climbs in the Cirque that have any north aspect (N.E. Buttress of Pingora, Mitchell, Warrior, or Wolf's head) still have.a lot of snow or melting new snow from last weeks storm. I'd give it two weeks if you want to climb anything but the South Buttress of Pingora.

Looking to backpack and climb Pingora and wolfs head beginning of July. Not ideal timing but it's the only time my friend has a week off. Does anyone know the temp at night if we camp near the base of the towers?

Looking to backpack and climb Pingora and wolfs head beginning of July. Not ideal timing but it's the only time my friend has a week off. Does anyone know the temp at night if we camp near the base of the towers? 

Probably 35-40 F. If the weather is good.

feifei J wrote: Looking to backpack and climb Pingora and wolfs head beginning of July. Not ideal timing but it's the only time my friend has a week off. Does anyone know the temp at night if we camp near the base of the towers?

https://www.mountain-forecast.com will tell you exactly what temps you can expect at certain elevations.  Just search for Pingora & pick the elevation that’s most relevant for you.

Heading up this weekend from the Tetons. If the weather is good will post a proper conditions report.

I've been trying to update the conditions reports every week. Expect snow in the Cirque and on top of most of the high peaks. The snow that collects on the summit of Pingora will keep the NE Face wet for at least another couple of weeks. The Warriors and Warbonnet will be wet as well. Any questions specifically, feel free to ask or reach out to me (davis@greatoutdoorshop.com). Here's the most recent conditions report: https://www.greatoutdoorshop.com/blog/2020/06/24/trailhead-conditions-report-6-24-2020/

Hey, what about a fishing report?  Ha ha...

Thanks for the updates.  I read them every week and appreciate the info!

Been following the stream flow data and it looks like dry fly fishing will be getting better and better...

Brian in SLC wrote: Hey, what about a fishing report?  Ha ha...

Thanks for the updates.  I read them every week and appreciate the info!

Been following the stream flow data and it looks like dry fly fishing will be getting better and better...

Honestly, the dry fly fishing isn't really making an appearance yet. I've been slamming the high country cutthroat with leaches and large midges. The snow over 11k is finally starting to come off, looks like things will be high and fast for at least a couple more weeks. This is the year to fish Elbow though...

I've got some more pictures of current conditions on the high peaks over here, which I will be updating periodically all summer hopefully:
https://14ers.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=58163

Also, take the Great Outdoor Shop conditions with a grain of salt. This was posted by them on June 19: "Tip Top Search and Rescue did a fly over of the area a few days ago and reported that the Titcomb Lakes were iced-off, and that the trail is close to being free of snow." However, this is simply incorrect--I backpacked into upper Titcomb on 6-22 and the main lakes (including Island) were almost completely frozen, and the trail was nearly fully snow covered above Little Seneca Lake.

In general, the west side is very snowy still, with Titcomb almost fully snow covered. That said, it's accesible if you don't mind postholing and getting your feet wet. The east side Glacier Trail, in contrast, is easily hikeable all the way to Gannett Creek. The peaks are in good condition for snow climbing early in the morning; I did Woodrow Wilson, the Sphinx, Koven, Bastion, and the other northern divide peaks this week. However, steep eastern/southern aspects were showing rollerballs by 9 a.m.

Titcomb Basin, June 22

Upper Dinwoody Valley, Glacier Trail (Dubois side), June 26

Edit: these conditions only apply in the northern part of the range of course, in the realm of 13ers and glaciers, and not to the southern cirques.

Hey all, just got back from an ascent of Warrior I. The route we took was completely dry and the cirque itself has 3x less snow than it did this time last year. Although the above conditions post is fairly accurate not sure I'd 100% agree. Here are some pics of the cirque as of 6/27. Have at it.

How were the bugs Mulch?

Eli, thanks for posting. I take pictures from reliable sources (i.e search and rescue doing a fly over, backpacker that come into the shop) and all the information I receive is compiled until I can post a trip report, hopefully weekly. Unfortunately, I cant post everything as soon as I get it, so some of the information gets back-logged. I really wish I could spend all my summer back there, but unfortunately I have a job, and I cant be everywhere at once. The point of the reports is to give people an idea of what to expect, and hopefully someones trip isn't ruined because a lake is still frozen. I should fact-check my sources a little better, and I wish I had more time to do that as well. Thanks again for letting us know what things look like up there. We have a beautiful range to explore.

Thanks Eli for the pics of Titcomb and all that and to everyone else too. I’m considering a trip to climb Mt warren via titcomb basin and then into dinwoody cirque sometime in the next month, I’ll dump pics if it happens. By the way, anyone have any experience with that conspicuous couloir that leads up to très dames? I’m wondering if it’s more of a tool and scews or pickets and axes kind of line. A long shot but alas. Anyways thanks!

Malcolm I've climbed the NW Couloir on Warren and it's a great couloir climb. I soloed it in late season and it was a pure alpine ice route, Actually better than the ice route on Helen IMO. 2 tools advised.

Looked up the couloir you mention and there was a substantial bergshrund that would probably require some ice shenanigans. So I would want 2 tools there as well.

I don't think pickets are going to do much for you on either of those routes. Bring a few screws if you are going to use a rope. Mostly you could get rock gear in spots on the sides.