• A special note to future CLMers in Pinedale: go to the Great Outdoors Shop and ask about this loop — they can tell you all about it and supply you with any maps or accessories you need. You have to do this hike while you’re here!

“This was the best I have seen of the Winds,” claimed Lara (she does a lot of hiking around WY area). I feel so very fortunate to have her as a friend/partner in crime/hiking guru. I learned so much from her this past weekend, and look forward to the continuation of our adventures.

This is a “lollipop” loop trail, about 34 miles in total. Unless you are like Lara and I, who just can’t help but hike off course to see some of the other pristine lakes in the area (recommended), or get kind of lost every now and then, you should plan for 40.

Passing up and over two mountain saddles, crossing a number of streams, scrambling across a boulder field, along bountiful alpine lakes and forests, meadows and basins, this hike holds the absolute beauty of the Wind River Range for the adventurous spirits.

If I were to do this hike again, I would love to spend at least 4 or 5 days in order to smell all of the flowers and spend more time fishing the lakes. However, we only had one weekend, and Lara is a bit crazy, so she convinced me that we could do this in 2.5 days.

The first 6-7 miles gently roles uphill in a dense, shaded pine/spruce/fir forest, then through a meadow sprinkled with boulders and trees with a backdrop of the mountains that faithfully await you.

Dad’s lake is the first major landmark you will reach, about 6 miles in. Follow signs toward Marm’s Lake and Pyramid Lake.

This is Trigger. He technically belongs to Lara but I wish he lived with me.

You will see Pyramid Peak and Mount Hooker ahead. Before the lake is a junction that takes you up to Hailey’s Pass, marked with a wooden sign on the ground. Dumbfounded with the views ahead and unaware of our pace, we cruised right by the sign. Staying straight will take you up to Pyramid Lake, around 3 miles there and back to the junction. This lake was absolutely gorgeous, a must see for this hike in my opinion. So, I was glad we missed the turn off point. I would even suggest camping here if you have time. If you don’t’ have time, you should create some and stay.

The ascent to Hailey’s Pass is steep, but the views surrounding you will keep your feet moving.

Also very steep is the decent, with a loose-gravel trail that winds down the east side of the pass. With the weight of your pack and heavy winds, your adrenaline is sure to kick-in high gear. Bring your trekking poles for this one! Or grab a walking stick before the climb.

Lacking trekking poles, this really was the best way to crawl down without injury, for us. I tried to stay on my two feet and was humbled to the ground twice. Continuously I was being teased by the views and tempted to look up and out over the pass. Each time I would lose my footing and slip.  My pants became gluteless-chaps in this process. Literally, the backside of my pants was ripped off. This was the only pair I brought, so I decided to follow and not lead the rest of the trip out of curtesy.

Slowly but steadily, you will make it.

Our goal was to make it to Grave Lake to camp, but again got a bit side-tracked. We ended up on the wrong side of the stream about a half mile from where we should have crossed to continue on. The sun was about to set and we felt exhausted, so we pitched camp along a creek with Grave Lake as our first destination in the morning.

Shortly after you cross the creek is a sign for Baptiste Lake just 1.6 miles away. Lara gave me this puppy-eyed look and asked what I thought. In her head I know she was thinking please say yes, please say yes! We stood there for a while just staring at the junction, and finally decided to go for it.

Who told you that there were no beaches in Wyoming?

We were surprised by a boulder field around the side of Grave Lake. It was a challenge, but we were more concerned for Trigger than anything. After watching him bounce from boulder to boulder with ease, we realized he was much better off than we were.

After Washakie Pass and back to the junction at Skull Lake, you will have completed the “lollipop” of the loop and will finish out the way you came in.

Happy Trails

Val Stacey

Pinedale, WY