Wind River Range High Route Loop from Elkhard Park - Could This Be the Best?

Could this be the best Wind River high route loop accessible from Elkhart Park? There are many ways to hike high routes through this area, and many ways to turn those high routes into a loop. But this loop includes some of the most scenic off-trail and on-trail destinations in this part of the range. It also contains a pleasant variety of forests, meadows, high country and lakes with a good mix of cross-country route finding and easy trail hiking through diverse terrain. This route also had no need for microspikes, ice ax or any other technical gear or climbing, at least in late July of 2024.
This 65 mile light-weight backpacking trip through the Wind River Range of Wyoming started and ended at the Pole Creek trailhead at Elkhart Park, near the town of Pinedale Wyoming. The main focus of the trip was to hike a high route loop in the Fremont Creek and Pole Creek areas of the range, using the range’s most popular trailhead at Elkhart Park. The trip was planned to visit a few new destinations in these areas, plus some favorite spots I’ve visited before, including the magnificent glacier-carved Titcomb Basin. The clockwise lollipop loop included the Pole Creek trail, Seneca Lake trail, Lost Lake trail, Highline trail, Knapsack Col, Titcomb Basin trail, Wall Lake Pass, Cook Lakes, Angel Pass, Fall Creek Pass, Timico Lake, and the Fremont trail.
At least a quarter of the loop was cross-country travel through trailless areas, but the majority of travel was on designated trails. Nearly half of the loop followed a variation of the Wind River High Route, a mostly off-trail route staying close to the spine of the Continental Divide. The segment of the high route in this loop included Knapsack Col, Wall Lake Pass, Angel Pass and Fall Creek Pass.
For a more detailed trip report, including trail condition details, see my trip blog at the links below (full URL and tiny URL):
lesmoorephoto....
tinyurl.com/yp...
Below is a link to the CalTopo route map showing the route followed for this trip. NOTE: the route shown in CalTopo is NOT a GPS track this route. The CalTopo route was created using Google Earth to serve as a rough guide and it does not represent the exact route that was hiked:
caltopo.com/m/...
Here's the LighterPack.com gear list:
lighterpack.co...
Video chapters:
0:16 Map and summary
1:46 Day 1: Pole Creek trailhead to Hobbs Lake
2:55 Day 2: Hobbs Lake to Peak Lake
6:05 Day 3: Peak Lake to Wall Lake
8:47 Day 4: Wall Lake to Timico Lake
12:58 Day 5: Timico Lake to Sweeney Creek trail junction
17:28 Day 6: Sweeney Creek trail junction to Pole Creek trailhead
18:35 Thanks, Credits & Links
Music source:
filter.one
Songs:
Longing, by Sayl
The Wayfarer
Sail Away, by The Nerve Music
Maryland Road, by 1107 Studios
Silhouettes, by Sayl
Opening The Door, by 1107 Studios
God's Great Nature

[@jaymontgomery3330]

What a beautiful loop, thanks for sharing! Happy Birthday!

[@toddgrant7190]

Very nice. I have enjoyed all your videos - examples of quality over quantity. Your visuals remind me of Harmen Hoek and other top hiking videographers. Thank you for posting.

[@unclecamp1960]

Great video! Contents of various genres bring joy and vitality to people. Your content reflects your outstanding talent and passion. It will give pleasure and enthusiasm to others. Thanks for sharing a nice video. Have a wonderful day! 🎉

[@TheSleepyDad]

Love your videos. Thank you! Happy birthday, Les!

[@mlmoore11]

Thanks TheSleepyDad!

[@thejohnsons2001]

Thanks for posting such a detailed itinerary. This was beautifully filmed.

[@mlmoore11]

Glad you liked the video thejohnsons2001!

[@anselmocat]

Thanks for the video. Great to see some areas I’m planning on visiting over the next 2 years 👍

[@richardwallace2238]

I'm a Wind River Rat, and I just completed my 16th week long expedition from Elkhart Park. Except for the Timico Lake portion, it was all familiar territory. Beautiful country, I love it.
The Lester Pass sign has not changed since my first trip with my father in 1976. Unfortunately, the elevation is incorrect. It should read 11,160, but it's still pretty high.
The Winds are just simply magnificent. Your video is very well done. Thanks for posting.

[@embracehealthnaturals]

Wow Richard - I'd love to see some of your photos from the 70's in the Winds! Thanks for sharing about the Lester Pass sign - didn't even notice the altitude on the map.