Wind River High Route
Wind River Range, WY
Elevation Profile
Current Conditions
Bottom Line
Early November in the Winds means short days and cold nights — plan your mileage around 5:08 PM sunset. Weather window looks clean for the next 3 days. Stream crossing data in this briefing is mismatched to your location (California gauges, not Wind River Basin) — treat crossing difficulty as unknown and scout every ford.
37°/19°F · Patchy Fog then Mostly Sunny
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0" depth
Elevated flows · 5 gauges
No active fires within 50 miles
10h 14m daylight · Sunrise 6:54 AM · Sunset 5:08 PM
Full Briefing
The biggest practical constraint this trip is daylight. You have 10h 14m from sunrise (6:54 AM) to sunset (5:08 PM), and the Winds in early November means the sun drops fast and temps follow. With lows of 19–22°F each night, you want to be in camp and sheltered well before dark. That means hard stops by 4:00 PM at the latest — plan your daily mileage backward from that cutoff, not forward from morning.
Weather looks solid for the window. Highs hold steady in the 36–37°F range through Thursday with light winds under 8 mph and mostly sunny skies Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday is the grayer day (mostly cloudy all day and night) but precip probability is essentially zero — 1–3% across the entire forecast. No storm systems, no wind to speak of, no precipitation risk. Overnight lows bottom out at 19°F Wednesday and Thursday nights, so your sleep system needs to handle that. The fog this morning burns off by midday.
Stream crossing data in this briefing is a mismatch — the five gauges listed are all in central California, not the Wind River Range. Disregard those percentages entirely for your planning. What you do know: it's early November, snowpack at relevant elevations is essentially zero (0" depth at available SNOTEL stations), and daytime highs are barely above freezing. Snowmelt contribution is minimal. Wind River crossings at this time of year are typically at their annual low — but scout every ford before committing. The data gap means you can't confirm anything.
No fires within 50 miles, no smoke impacts, no avalanche terrain concerns flagged. The route is yours — just own the short days and cold nights.
Waypoints
Green River Lakes
Northern terminus with dramatic views of Squaretop Mountain.
7,999 ft
Vista Pass
First major pass. Off-trail from here—compass and map essential.
11,499 ft
Titcomb Basin
Spectacular alpine basin beneath Fremont Peak. Turquoise lakes.
10,499 ft
Cirque of the Towers
Iconic granite cirque. World-class climbing and stunning camping.
10,200 ft
Big Sandy Opening
Southern terminus at Big Sandy. Rough dirt road to highway.
8,999 ft
Route Details
Distance
80.0 mi
Elevation Gain
23,999 ft
Elevation Loss
25,000 ft
Max Elevation
12,500 ft
Estimated Days
8
Trailhead
Green River Lakes Trailhead
Best Season
Late July through mid-September. Early season snow on passes. Short weather windows.
About This Route
The Wind River High Route is an off-trail alpine traverse through Wyoming's Wind River Range, following a path first described by backpacker Alan Dixon. This ~80-mile route stays almost entirely above treeline, crossing passes above 12,000 feet and traversing some of the most remote terrain in the contiguous United States. The route passes beneath the Continental Divide, skirting glaciers and crossing through talus fields, boulder-strewn valleys, and alpine meadows. Navigation skills are essential—there is no maintained trail for much of the route. The Cirque of the Towers and the views of Gannett Peak (Wyoming's highest) are highlights. This is a serious undertaking requiring strong navigation, scrambling ability, and experience in remote backcountry travel. Weather can be severe above treeline. Most parties take 7-10 days and carry 8+ days of food. Water is abundant from snowmelt streams and alpine lakes.
Plan This Route
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Plan This Route