Wyoming Backpacking Trips Outside of Grand Teton National Park
Advance permit season has come and gone for summer backpacking trips in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming. One third of backcountry permits go live the first Wednesday of January on recreation.gov and permits get snagged quickly upon being released. The remaining two thirds of permits are reserved as first-come first-serve walk up permits at a ranger station the day of or the day before a trip.
For those who missed the advance permit season and are still hoping to visit Wyoming’s backcountry paradise this summer, we have put together a list of a few trips worth taking outside of Grand Teton National Park.
Cirque of the Towers Loop, Bridger-Teton National Forest
Cirque of the Towers Loop is a wildly beautiful backpacking trip located in the Wind River Range, home to many of Wyoming’s tallest peaks and a long section of the Continental Divide. This loop is a 29 mile granite playground which circumnavigates the Cirque of the Towers region and is typically completed over 3 days. The route sets off from Big Sandy Trailhead and offers spectacular scenery including granite spires and walls, over a dozen pristine lakes and wide open alpine meadows filled with wild flowers. The loop has a total of 4,100 feet of elevation gain with a few challenging pass climbs but the views make the climbing well worth your while. Shadow Lake, pictured above, is a favorite lake to camp at along the route.
Jason Plett | Flickr
Mistymoon Trail, Bighorn National Forest
The Mistymoon Trail is a hiking area located in the Cloud Peak Wilderness within the Bighorn Mountains. Backpackers hop on the trail from the West Tensleep Lake Trailhead and journey 13.5 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain roundtrip. There are three stunning alpine lakes located along the Mistymoon Trail: Lake Helen, Lake Marion and Mistymoon Lake. Backpackers can choose to camp at any of the three lakes depending on desired distance. Lake Helen is a favorite for a quick overnight trip. There are a few creek crossings early on in the hike which can be dangerously high in the early season - cross with caution. Expect to share the region with wildlife such as moose feeding on willows in the early morning and late evening.
Browns Peak Loop, Medicine Bow National Forest
The Browns Peak Loop trail circles Browns Peak in the Snowy Range of the Medicine Bow Mountains. The trip is 12.5 miles roundtrip with 1,400 feet of climbing and sets off from the Brooklyn Lake Trailhead. Backpackers follow the Lost Glacier Lakes Trail to the Gap Lakes Trail and close the loop on the Sheep Lakes Trail. The route has over two dozen shimmering alpine lakes (so many we lost count!) with plenty of fishing opportunities and beautiful lakeside campsites. The Gap Lakes and Cutthroat Lake areas are preferred camping destinations. One section of the hike requires a large boulder field crossing but otherwise the loop is easy with little climbing. A wonderful Rocky Mountain route for any backpacker but especially for the alpine lake lover!
Titcomb Basin, Bridger-Teton National Forest
The trip into Titcomb Basin in Wyoming’s Wind River Range is one of the state’s most incredible backcountry journeys. It includes all of the sought-after alpine features you could wish for - towering granite peaks, lush alpine meadows, glacier-fed alpine lakes and a colorful burst of wildflowers after the snow melts. The trip is a 30 mile out and back route with 4,170 feet of elevation gain and is best completed over 3-4 days. The trip leaves from Elkhart Park Trailhead and traverses past Seneca Lake and Island Lake to the Titcomb Lakes. Island Lake and the Titcomb Lakes are the crown jewels of this area. The trip is challenging but the panoramic views will easily land Titcomb Basin on your list of favorite backpacking trips. The beauty of an Island Lake sunset will be imprinted on your memory forever.
Ross Lake, Shoshone National Forest
Ross Lake is a beautiful backcountry lake nestled into a large granite cirque and also happens to be the largest backcountry lake in the Wind River Range. Backpackers can access this lake via the Glacier Trail Trailhead. Neighboring lake, Lake Louise, shares this trailhead but is an easier hike and therefore much more heavily trafficked route. The backpacking trip is 13 miles roundtrip with 3,800 feet of elevation gain transitions from a sagebrush shrub-land to a high alpine paradise. Backpackers set off along the Whiskey Mountain Trail and climb a challenging 2,600+ feet over the first three miles. Backpackers are better off setting up camp before descending down to the lake as there are more camping opportunities available before the lake. Those looking for further adventure can explore up to Upper Ross Lake.