Cirque of the Towers Circle Route

Hike Name: Cirque of the Towers Circle Route Location: west WY Length: 22 Submitted by: Hozer Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Wyoming trail reviews Wyoming national parks Wyoming state parks
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Description
This is a strenous multi-day hike through the beautiful high alpine country of the Wind River Range. Some of the route is above timberline. Though this trek is not technical, experience hiking over snow covered passes is recommended.

Start at Big Sandy Opening 50 miles east of Boulder, Wyoming. Follow the HighlineTrail past Fish Creek Meadows, Dads and Marms Lakes to Washakie Creek. Turn right and follow Washakie Creek to Shadow Lake and the Cirque of the Towers. The Cirque is an internationally known climbing area with many qualtiy routes. The high granite spires of Wolfshead, Overhanging Tower, and Sharks Nose surround you.

Camp at Shadow Lake (13 mi. from Big Sandy). Be sure to try your luck for trout.

Next morning climb NE up to Billys, Barren and Texas Lakes. The trail may be obscure, some cross country bushwacking (above timberline) might be required. At Texas Lake continue up and over Texas Pass, elevation 11,400. Some snow and scree will be encountered. Decend S through the wide col and valley to Lonesome Lake. Here the full beauty of the Cirque comes into view. You are at the base of Pingora (Shoshone for "High Inaccessable Place") a 12,000 ft tower of granite standing like a sentinel on the east edge of the Cirque. Fifteen 12,000 ft peaks stand in a semi-circle ending at the impressive War Bonnet. It would be nice to spend a day or two enjoying the area.

When you are ready to leave hike SE over Jackass Pass (10,800) and contiune past Arrowhead and Shaft Lakes down to Big Sandy Lake. From here you are six easy miles from your auto at Big Sandy Opening.

Be sure to bring your fishing rod and some flies. Most all the lakes and streams are teeming with suicidal trout.

Directions to Hike
Turn east at Boulder. Wyoming (US 187) head approximately 50 miles over dirt road. Follow the signs to Big Sandy Opening.

Contact Information
The western slopes of the range is in the Bridger National Forest
PO Box 1888
Jackson, Wyoming 83001
(307) 739-5500


The eastern slopes are in the Shoshone National Forest.
808 Meadow Lane
Cody, Wyoming 82414
(307) 527-6241

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