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Date: (6 days, 5 nights; Sun-Fri) Aug. 22-27Assembly Point: Jackson (airline service to Jackson; Timberline van shuttles to and from Jackson airport prior to and following tour) Tour Cost: $1,295 (includes all lodging, all meals, van shuttles prior to and following tour, leaders, trail maps & narratives) The Wind River Range of western Wyoming, pure and simple, is a hiker's heaven. These magnificent mountains, perhaps more than any other Rocky Mountain range outside of Alaska, offer an experience that most closely approximates a true wilderness adventure. Sprawling southward from their better known and more frequented neighbors-the Tetons to the north-the Winds are high alpine mountain majesty in its boldest expression. Forty-seven peaks reach or exceed 13,000 feet in elevation and 63 glaciers remain active in the Winds. Over 1,600 lakes are sprinkled throughout the range and this abundant water supports a vigorous wildlife population and encourages a brilliant proliferation of wildflowers. In so many ways, the Winds are an incredible natural treasure and enjoy protected status under three major wilderness designations. We'll hike the Winds in the context of an extraordinary 6-day adventure. Ours is an inn-to-inn, and not backpacking, program but the dayhikes that we've selected include high alpine experiences that in every way reflect the magic of these mountains. We'll assemble in Jackson Hole, with the convenience and accessibility of its major airport and excellent airline service, and van shuttle mid-morning of Day 1 to Pinedale. We'll be spending our first two evenings in the beautiful setting of the Lakeside Resort on Fremont Lake outside of Pinedale adjacent to the Bridger/Teton Wilderness. We hope to arrive early enough for a boat ride across the lake and an exciting hike into the Wilderness to Photographer's Point. Early-morning of Day 2, we're headed into the western Winds. We'll hike from Green River Lake along Clear Creek with great views of cascading Clear Creek Falls. The trail opens into a vast meadow encircled by massive, snowclad peaks. Our destination is Natural Bridge, an enormous rock barrier through the heart of which the creek has carved its course (8.5 miles). Following a second overnight at the Lakeside in Pinedale, we'll head south toward the Sweetwater Gap entrance to the Winds and hike to beautiful Little Sandy Lake, situated in a rocky glacial cirque in the shadow of towering Mt. Nystrom (8 miles). We're headed for Lander where we'll spend the next two evenings at the Piece of Cake Bed & Breakfast. Our plans for Day 4 are evidence that we are not totally without compassion for some weary legs. We'll spend much of this day leisurely exploring fascinating Sinks Canyon, including beautiful Popo Agie Falls near Lander (6 miles). As Day 5 dawns, we're rested and ready for Stough Creek Basin and a hike that offers the ultimate in high-alpine scenery. In its 6-mile course, the trail passes from lush meadow to rugged, exposed rocky slopes at treeline. More than a dozen lakes are visible as we approach the 10,560' crest overlooking massive snowclad Wind River Peak and the basin below (12.5 miles). We'll spend our final evening in DuBois and, although we're now into our final day, our adventure is far from complete. No early flights home from Jackson on this day; the Glacier Trail, one of the most rewarding of the Wind River experiences, is too close to ignore and that's where we're headed on this day. We'll choose among several options, depending on legs and weather conditions, ranging from a leisurely journey to Lake Louise, an exciting climb to the 11,157' summit of Whiskey Mountain, or a dramatic, breathtaking visit to Ross Lake. At some point late-afternoon to early-evening, we'll return to Jackson where our program concludes.
7975 E. Harvard Suite #J Denver, Co. 80231 Telephone: (800)417-2453; or (303)759-3804 Fax: (303)368-1651 E-Mail: timber@boulder.earthnet.net
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