These Might Be the Best Mountains In America (Lower 48)

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  • Опубліковано 23 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 149

  • @TopoTravelers
    @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +7

    Hey guys, for everyone commenting about the drone stuff, I have just edited out all the wilderness shots. I did not know at the time of the video that this was a rule, as I had bought my drone just days before. It is not okay to fly drones in the wilderness, and I understand that now. At the time I wasn't thinking about it, nor was I reading signs, and instead just had tunnel vision on getting amazing footage. I apologize for breaking the rules here, and it won't happen again from me. Hope you still enjoy the video!

    • @wclugston
      @wclugston 3 місяці тому +1

      The rule applies to all aircraft below 2,000" AGL (Above Ground Level). There are plenty of wild places to share, so let the wilderness be wild. As a person with Parkinson's Disease, I no longer have the range for most wilderness hikes, so I appreciate the videos and photographs. I also fly drones, and in the proper places, they allow me a view into the wild areas.

    • @michaelremke8210
      @michaelremke8210 3 місяці тому

      There are still lots of shots from within the wilderness. Big Sandy Lake is wilderness still.

    • @bradlyscotunes9156
      @bradlyscotunes9156 3 місяці тому

      ​@michaelremke8210 'Sadny' - good 1

  • @Ja50nkAt
    @Ja50nkAt 3 місяці тому +7

    Tetons, Winds, Yellowstone, all great but the most underrated hard to get to and beautiful is the North Cascades, Pickets just can't be beat for raw wilderness in the lower 48.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +2

      Planning on visiting the north cascades next year, I can’t wait

  • @christopher_hawn
    @christopher_hawn 3 місяці тому +2

    Nicely done; great video. I miss the days where I could bang out 17 miles like it was nothing. Enjoy your youth and keep on hiking! No one ever looks back on their life and says "Gee, I had way too many adventures!"

  • @rossbroockerd3795
    @rossbroockerd3795 3 місяці тому

    South San Juan Mountains and the Weminuche Wilderness. Just awesome...I mean, awesome.

  • @jimsretiring2024
    @jimsretiring2024 4 місяці тому +7

    Great video with outstanding scenery. Thank you.

  • @rudedogfpv
    @rudedogfpv 3 місяці тому +3

    Great video, awesome drone footage of such beautiful mountains.

  • @albertbegin5119
    @albertbegin5119 3 місяці тому

    I'm now 86 living in Colorado. Although I'm still be hardy enough to do this kind of stuff, if anything should happen I might not survive so prudence dictates that I leave it to you young ones. Just watching this reminds me of the smells, challenges, meeting the critters and other nature lovers. The drone shots are especially satisfying so I'm glad you shot some before learning that they are not permitted. Thanks for sharing.

  • @stevendrew8934
    @stevendrew8934 4 місяці тому +5

    Your best production yet! Great drone views. Thanks for taking us to places we would never see if it weren’t for you. Nice dialogue and descriptions. Enjoyed your geology explanations too.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +2

      That means a lot thank you! I’m glad you found the geology interesting, I think it’s so cool

  • @Golf05
    @Golf05 3 місяці тому +2

    Did my first western backpacking trip in the Winds years ago and I was blown away. Flew to Laramie, ended up taking a bus to Pinedale, hitched to the Elkhart Park trailhead and tramped through some magnificent terrain. It just felt almost primordial. I hope it hasn't changed much.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      That sounds amazing. I don’t think it has, maybe just a couple more people

    • @bhatkat
      @bhatkat 3 місяці тому

      Ahh, the days when one could just hitch hike to the trailheads. Shuttle rides in the Winds go for around $400 these days.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      @@bhatkat that is crazy!

  • @jenb.6440
    @jenb.6440 3 місяці тому +1

    Beautiful video work, great music, awesome drone shots; you are very talented! Thank you for sharing!!

  • @charleshicks3492
    @charleshicks3492 4 місяці тому +2

    Simply put; nature is stunning; thank you🤩😎⭐️

  • @johnsmith-oz5kj
    @johnsmith-oz5kj 3 місяці тому +2

    Spent a summer in the Winds. So awesome.

  • @russellbush6323
    @russellbush6323 3 місяці тому +2

    Headed there, August 1
    Your video was absolutely breathtaking, thanks

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      That’s great! I hope you have an awesome time there

  • @myatlantictravel
    @myatlantictravel 4 місяці тому +1

    Thats a beautiful place and the hike is awesome. This will be on our list for visiting on one of our next trips. Thank you for sharing this amazing footage. 👍🙂

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      No problem, I hope you enjoy them as much as we did!

  • @MoutainGuyAdventures
    @MoutainGuyAdventures 3 місяці тому +1

    I did that trip a few years ago. It’s awesome.

  • @rockytopwrangler2069
    @rockytopwrangler2069 3 місяці тому

    ... Beautiful country ...

  • @AndyZalabera
    @AndyZalabera 3 місяці тому +2

    Very beautifull!

  • @missinglinq
    @missinglinq 4 місяці тому +1

    I was just scoping out this incredible area I've never heard of. I'll be visiting soon.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      Hope you have a good time there!

  • @trouthawk
    @trouthawk 3 місяці тому +1

    Great video, thanks! I'm a subscriber.

  • @richardthorne2804
    @richardthorne2804 3 місяці тому +1

    In my opinion, it’s the best. My wife and i backpack to the Cirque of the Tower last year.

  • @michaelfitzgerald434
    @michaelfitzgerald434 3 місяці тому

    Beautiful!

  • @NickKing-e7n
    @NickKing-e7n 4 місяці тому +1

    Thanks for sharing

  • @seangordon1060
    @seangordon1060 3 місяці тому

    I would check out the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. Just as nice with no grizzlies to compete with

  • @bigbrainray3284
    @bigbrainray3284 3 місяці тому +1

    Imo the mount whitney area and the Eastern Sierras are super similar to this. I think it snows more here though.

  • @Taskerofpuppets
    @Taskerofpuppets 3 місяці тому

    I need to get there soon, Cheers

  • @FatherGapon-gw6yo
    @FatherGapon-gw6yo 3 місяці тому +2

    Winds are my favorite place

  • @charlieswearingen500
    @charlieswearingen500 3 місяці тому

    Indeed, the Wind River Range is beautiful, but have you been to the Pioneer Mountains, the Whitecloud Mountains, or the Sawtooth Mountains in Idaho yet? They are equally stunning.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      I have actually! I grew up in Idaho so I spend a lot of time in those ranges. I hope to get back to them soon and make some videos this time

  • @BrawndoDrinker
    @BrawndoDrinker 3 місяці тому +1

    Only issue is the crowds, the Winds draw a lot of people from a wide area. Other ranges have more trail miles to soak up the masses.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      I will say, the farther we got in, the people got thinner and thinner. By the time we were at the end of our hike we didn’t see anyone

  • @samblethen
    @samblethen 4 місяці тому +3

    Nice stuff! This reminds me a bit of hiking the wilderness here in Oregon. Oregon has more forested acres than any lower 48 states.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      That’s awesome! My big trip in August will be to Oregon so there we will several videos showcasing that wilderness

    • @samblethen
      @samblethen 4 місяці тому +1

      @@TopoTravelers Make sure you check out the Columbia River Gorge, Three Sisters and Crater Lake

    • @samblethen
      @samblethen 4 місяці тому +1

      @@TopoTravelers Oregon is a hotspot of Bigfoot activity. Keep your eyes and ears open in the wilderness. About 20 years ago we were hiking down in Southern Oregon and at one point I heard a couple of loud crashing sounds about 50 yards away in the forest. I stopped and looked in the direction the sounds come from and I was sure that I could a large face staring back at me. I stood there for several minutes and it did not move. I made a mark on the trail where I had been looking and we went on our way further along the trail. Later that afternoon when we came back to that spot I looked at where I had seen the face and there was an empty space I could now see and it confirmed that something large had been looking back at me earlier. A couple you years later I read an account of a guy who would hike up that trail and camp there with his two dogs. He had said the dogs would often chase off bobcats, bears and cougars. One night the dogs ran off chasing something and shortly came back terrified and hid in the tent. Whenever this guy would try to take his dogs there they were still terrified and would refuse to go there again. He had reported this account to a local Bigfoot discussion group and others confirmed similar experiences in that area.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      @@samblethen that is crazy! i will have to keep an eye out

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      @@samblethen i think for this trip i will be hitting the gorge for sure, and possibly crater lake. Mount hood is also on the list

  • @GusMcCrae01
    @GusMcCrae01 3 місяці тому +2

    What a trip this was! Many, many great photography sites. I'm surprised you didn't see a grizzly bear during this trip.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      I was hoping to see one but no luck this time

    • @thomaswayneward
      @thomaswayneward 3 місяці тому

      @@TopoTravelers They saw you.

  • @Connect662
    @Connect662 3 місяці тому

    I thought it was clickbait, but then I saw Wind River and knew this guy was serious business!

  • @bradlyscotunes9156
    @bradlyscotunes9156 3 місяці тому

    No, Bluest water is Lake Chelan, or in Stuart Range, Wa. Cascades; Ross Lake; Crater Lake, Ore.

  • @MrTemplerage
    @MrTemplerage 3 місяці тому +1

    I believe this was home to the blackfeet? And th early home of the comanche before they moved south.- Rising Wolf

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      I actually am not sure of the native history in the area so I wouldn’t be able to tell you

    • @edvanek8244
      @edvanek8244 3 місяці тому

      It was home to the eastern shoshone

  • @MrTemplerage
    @MrTemplerage 3 місяці тому +1

    I can't believe you could drive to that campsite.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      Crazy where some roads go out west

  • @Raylovepalomar
    @Raylovepalomar 3 місяці тому +1

    Haven’t been to Wyoming yet but based on the shots in the video cirque of the towers is impressive but If you think this is the best range in the lower 48 you gotta get out more. As an avid trad dad rock climber the cirque of the towers is up there to check out and climb for me but comparatively speaking there are quite a few spots that are much more pristine than this.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      What would you say is the best?

    • @Mrkozak710
      @Mrkozak710 3 місяці тому

      @@TopoTravelersBig Pine Lakes CA 🤝 cheers!

    • @Raylovepalomar
      @Raylovepalomar 3 місяці тому

      @@TopoTravelers I guess beauty is subjective as it’s in the eye of the beholder but I think many would agree with me on just a few off the top of my head the north cascades, San juans, the enchantments, eastern sierra

  • @sethboviper
    @sethboviper 3 місяці тому +1

    torres del paine, chile, vibes!

  • @zipshed
    @zipshed 4 місяці тому

    Nice drone shots! Maybe you should tie some line and a lure on the drone...take it trolling around the lake! When you hook just fly it in...unless you hook a big pike or something lol. Im into fishing and I would bet theres some nice ones in there being its so isolated. Probably not fished much. Its a very beautiful place and would be great to just take it all in! Great job!

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      That is a wild idea, I don’t think I’ll be trying that quite yet but maybe someday haha. Thank you!

  • @malencid
    @malencid 3 місяці тому +1

    what is the river name at end of video?

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      I’m actually not sure, it was just one that was flowing out of the basin I was in

  • @MoutainGuyAdventures
    @MoutainGuyAdventures 3 місяці тому +1

    Cool channel. We have similar interests it appears. New sub👍

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      Thank you! I hope you keep enjoying the content

  • @michaelsmith6744
    @michaelsmith6744 3 місяці тому +1

    these have remained a secret for so long. at least the hike-in to the cirque is too brutal for most.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      Yes they seem to be overlooked by many. I think almost all of the hikes into the interior are at minimum 10+ miles so that probably helps

  • @cynthiawagstaff2185
    @cynthiawagstaff2185 3 місяці тому +1

    there is no best…..there are endless grand ranges in the west, we are so fortunate

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      Fair enough, I can’t argue with that!

  • @truthserum5202
    @truthserum5202 3 місяці тому +2

    Frankly, even though this mountain range is very nice, it looks no different from the California Sierra's.

  • @thomaswayneward
    @thomaswayneward 3 місяці тому

    They are great, but you can pour some deet in your palm and the mosquitos will land in the deet. That is how bad they are there. Other than that the place is perfect.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому +1

      Yeahhhh the mosquitos were definitely bad

  • @bagelboy2091
    @bagelboy2091 4 місяці тому +1

    at 8:40 it kinda looks like delta lake in the tetons

  • @pbourdon231
    @pbourdon231 3 місяці тому +1

    The Winds are the most geographically remote mountain range in the lower 48. And perhaps to ensure they don't become overrun by goobers who don't respect the outdoors and special places we should keep them quiet and not post videos about them on social media channels....just a thought. I know people don't always agree with this kind of thinking, but some things are best left off the beaten path.

  • @dmbeaster
    @dmbeaster 4 місяці тому

    Wind Rivers are great. It's a small version of the Sierra Nevada. They are both granite wonderland.

    • @grahamhallman243
      @grahamhallman243 4 місяці тому +1

      Ah, but then the Rockies has more granite wonderland often overlooked: Beartooths, Bitterroots, Indian Peaks, Clouds Peak, Sawtooths, these very Winds, Lost River Range; and so on and so forth. Colorado has plenty of granite rich subranges.
      The Winds may be smaller than Sierras by a substantial margin, but the wilderness experience is almost instantly noticeable compared to Sierras. The amount of lakes per square mile is also greater in The Winds v. Sierras.
      It’s actually unfair to compare Sierras to Greater Rockies, as the latter is significantly larger n probably the second largest mountain range on the planet after the Andes. But I love the Sierras as well.
      What I’ve observed over my years of hiking: Rockies = supremely diverse and misunderstood. I think the Colorado branding coupled with Canadian constructs of tourism confuse people into thinking that it’s NOT all the same mountain range stretching from New Mexico to Northern BC. But it is the same greater mountain range. The Northern Rockies, alone, start around 150 miles south of GNP/Waterton border and go to the tip of BC. You’re not gonna find a more photogenic mass of mountains on the planet. The Rockwall really does go beyond Yosemite Valley’s beauty, which is saying a lot. But fires continue to haunt the Northern Rockies.
      When hikers really explore the backcountry of Yellowstone n the massive Absarokas they convert. Yellowstone is anything but a dizzying drive loop of traffic jams n wildlife viewing from the car. The backcountry into the Wilderness areas n higher peaks = lush green valleys, cirques, basins, 100s and 100s of waterfalls, astounding n more colorful than granite: ancient volcanism has prevailed, albeit still active.
      Honestly, having Sierras, North Cascades, GNP to Jasper sections, n Winds under the belt, damn those San Juan’s in Western, Colorado. There’s a color palette to it, the massive volcanic heritage and interconnection to the American Southwest that just goes full blown surreal at times. The skies n clarity in San Juan’s are just consistently better than Sierras and many other sections of Rockies further North as well.
      But love it all and just keep hiking.

    • @dmbeaster
      @dmbeaster 4 місяці тому +1

      @@grahamhallman243 Love the San Juan's. Sierras have a lot of lakes. I think you have that wrong, or have not seen the many lake rich areas. There are more barren areas where ice fields scraped the terrain. It has more majestic granite peaks, partly because of lower glaciation allows for dramatic high country.
      The Rockies are so separated that it is really multiple ranges. The Sierras are continuous, and more roadless. You can be 30 to 40 miles from the nearest road, but that is partly because there was very little profitable mining. So it stayed roadless

    • @grahamhallman243
      @grahamhallman243 4 місяці тому

      @@dmbeaster I’ve done Rae Lakes Loop (magical) and more. Tahoe is sublime n Mono Lake is surreal. I’m working out SEKI sections but I live in MN so Rockies are just so much closer.
      I said Winds have “more lakes per square mile.” 😉
      I don’t even think the Cirque of the Towers is as stunning as at least three other sections of the Winds. Titcomb, Gannet, Milky Lakes and just above Three Forks Park are amazing. Grave Lake area is also just phenomenal.
      Btw, the Northern Rockies actually stretch for more than 1000 miles from just outside Helena, MT to Liard River terminus, that’s more than twice the length of the entire Sierras. The Rockies also interconnect to the Pacific Coastal Ranges more seamlessly than Sierras to Cascades. Some people confuse the Columbia Moutnains with Rockies at the Rocky Mountain Trench, only 5 miles past in some sections - that’s how close the Rockies bump into Pacific Coast Ranges.
      Yes, Rockies are confusing as hell on the American side: Yellowstone Volcanoes n San Juan Volcanic field = big reasons why. Yellowstone Calderas actually erupted near Idaho n Nevada border at one point before shifting east.
      Rockies east to west can’t be underestimated either: Uintas n Seven Devils (Idaho) highlight some of the westernmost ranges. I’ll call the Wasatch Range overused, but wonderful for skiing n other forms of recreation.
      Seven Devils and Hells Canyon, as well as King’s Canyon are both deeper than the Grand Canyon. Love King’s Canyon n peaks more than Seven Devils, but Hell’s Canyon is a different story than King’s Canyon in terms of scope, it’s a much bigger stretch: this canyon is criminally underrated. It’s actually magical that the Rockies meets Oregon at this juncture (The Wallowas in the near distance).

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      Granite mountains have to be my favorite

  • @scrappydoo9
    @scrappydoo9 3 місяці тому +2

    Grizzly country

  • @gkookies1254
    @gkookies1254 4 місяці тому +1

    You could have traced the W for Windriver range in your thumbnail

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      I should’ve! Maybe for a future video…

  • @LJ_nowandalways
    @LJ_nowandalways 3 місяці тому

    Non, but so damn close.

  • @bobfoster687
    @bobfoster687 3 місяці тому

    Run into Joe Bob Swagger?

  • @CarlDiedrich
    @CarlDiedrich 3 місяці тому

    Call someplace paradise...kiss it goodby.

  • @CarlDiedrich
    @CarlDiedrich 3 місяці тому

    Make a video, pimp it out, crowds will follow and soon permits and reservations .

  • @iwasfloyd
    @iwasfloyd 4 місяці тому +3

    The drone work is absolutely amazing. How do you find these astoundingly beautiful places??? Thank you again for taking me with you. Oh, Martha, I was balancing hard for you on the stream thing!! Great video again!!!

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +1

      Thank you!! A lot of time on Google maps and websites help me find these locations, and suggestions from friends and family

  • @espejoautoexistente
    @espejoautoexistente 4 місяці тому +2

    America is a very big continent. Just saying...🙄

  • @CarlDiedrich
    @CarlDiedrich 3 місяці тому

    Pimp it out.

  • @schadlarry
    @schadlarry 3 місяці тому

    I love the footage and glad I saw it but not to be a Karen you are risking a big ass fine posting this. Do I have some poached videos, yes and they never go online.

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      yeahhhhh i just edited it out now because of that. I wanted to keep it just for all the people who won't get to see the range themselves, but I also want to follow the law. Oh well

    • @schadlarry
      @schadlarry 3 місяці тому +1

      @@TopoTravelers Yep some of these rules suck and I don't know how often the FAA monitors stuff like this but it has happened in the pass. What you could do is just lift the drone up 50 feet and do some stills. That would be very hard to prove it was a drone.

  • @teemb3183
    @teemb3183 3 місяці тому +1

    Another video espousing the beauty of my home state. I hate seeing these. It will not be long before the trails are trashed, fires started and overused by people who do not know how to “ pack in , pack out” Not all progress is positive.

    • @bhatkat
      @bhatkat 3 місяці тому

      No trash in the back country, had the west side of the cirque to ourselves last June, much more crowded on the east side. Horses cause the most erosion and we flatlanders don't bring em along. And you might better describe your beautiful state than being brown when there are so many shades of sienna, unber, tans and browns.

  • @anselmocat
    @anselmocat 4 місяці тому +20

    You know that flying drones isn’t permitted in designated wilderness areas …

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  4 місяці тому +10

      Oh shoot really? I had no idea, I just got it and I am learning as I go. Thank you for letting me know, I’ll make sure not to do so in the future.

    • @ml.9746
      @ml.9746 3 місяці тому +6

      Of course he didn’t, they never do nor give a crap to care.

    • @anselmocat
      @anselmocat 3 місяці тому +7

      @@ml.9746 ​​⁠I mean there ARE signs at every trailhead in the winds saying no drones … There’s no excuse really

    • @samrichardson2641
      @samrichardson2641 3 місяці тому

      @@TopoTravelersignorance is bliss, is it it? 🤡

    • @trevormcclung740
      @trevormcclung740 3 місяці тому

      Yeah make sure you listen to the government they know best and are here to protect us lol

  • @mwyo7282
    @mwyo7282 3 місяці тому

    You should know drones are illegal in wilderness. As above, potential fines. Also, posting in this area for your own promotion is disappointing and not respectful of the place. This area has become overcrowded. Not helpful to attract more attention.

    • @stevemccorkel5004
      @stevemccorkel5004 3 місяці тому

      Yes to NO DRONES
      (And this place has been well advertised, already)

  • @richardbrooks1737
    @richardbrooks1737 3 місяці тому

    Quit flying drones in wilderness areas. You are being incredibly rude and not thinking of other people experiences that are there to get away from that type of crap as well as setting bad examples

    • @TopoTravelers
      @TopoTravelers  3 місяці тому

      I had not known about this law until after posting this video. I apologize, and it won’t be happening again from me.

    • @FatherGapon-gw6yo
      @FatherGapon-gw6yo 3 місяці тому +1

      Geez so many concern trolls here. Fly away just don't get caught

    • @michaelremke8210
      @michaelremke8210 3 місяці тому

      @@FatherGapon-gw6yo no way!

  • @chrisfinnegan8370
    @chrisfinnegan8370 3 місяці тому

    Why ? The Winds are packed ! Your a guide ? , , , your a creep !

  • @teemb3183
    @teemb3183 3 місяці тому

    Another video espousing the beauty of my home state. I hate seeing these. It will not be long before the trails are trashed, fires started and overused by people who do not know how to “ pack in , pack out” Not all progress is positive.

    • @joybarber6974
      @joybarber6974 3 місяці тому

      I agree. The area I live in has gotten so much media coverage that it has been overrun! That makes me sad. 😢

    • @robertherrmann4823
      @robertherrmann4823 3 місяці тому

      Yeah, the place looked mobbed. Since you apparently own the area, why not just start charging admission.

    • @teemb3183
      @teemb3183 3 місяці тому

      @@robertherrmann4823 😂 Glad I could get your hackles up! Don’t own it at all just born and raised here and am tired of cleaning up after others when I head into the back country…. Didn’t used to be this way growing up. Not all change is positive.