Wind Rivers multi-day backpack, off-trail

This is a return trip to the Wind River Range in WY. This is a week-long outing with significant off-trail components, targeting remote valleys with beautiful lakes and impressive peaks. We will be covering 50-60 miles with multiple options to extend or shorten the route, depending on conditions. Trail days will be up to 15 miles, off-trail days on the order of 6 miles, with the option of additional excursions from camp should we arrive early. 

We will leave Friday, September 4 after work (target a 3-4 pm departure from Los Alamos), with a car camp along the way. Total drive time is about 12-13 hours. Meals will be had on the road (no sit-downs), with the exception of our car camp dinner the day of our departure. We will start hiking on Saturday upon arrival at the trail head and hike in a few miles for our first wilderness camp (expect 1,000 ft elevation gain over the first 2 miles). On our last day, we will start early with a ~5 am departure from camp, so that we can make it all the way home the same day. The plan is to return Saturday but participants must be flexible for a potential Sunday return in case we run into route difficulties or bad weather.

There are both brown and black bears in the WR's, so participants must carry bear spray and bear proof food storage. Also, be prepared to encounter moose. There can be significant storms so your tent must be up to the challenge.

Group size will be limited.