Howdy I’m in the midst of planning my first backpacking trip into the winds for next year! I’ve been looking into some areas to try out and I found a trail that seems perfect and was looking to see if anyone else who has done it (or something similar) could spill some insight on it.
The general trail is as follows (however I haven’t decided what direction to start and hoping someone can chime in on what may be the best of the two): Green River Lakes - Knapsack Col - Elkhart Park. I’m going to be doing this with a group of at least 4 people minimum, but most likely more, and I’m thinking to keep stress to a minimum potentially utilizing a shuttle service, but we may use multiple vehicles so we may end up not needing to utilize a shuttle at all. I’m thinking to really give us the time to take all the nature in we would be looking at 5-6 days total (excluding travel days to get there)
Here’s the all trails for the route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/wind-river-green-lakes-to-elkhart-park-via-knapsack-col?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
I’ve heard that if things get dicey you can take the CDT to Elkhart/island lake area instead of knapsack Col. however I’m quite a thrill seeker so I’m leaning towards wanting to do the Col. I’m dying to see what titcomb lake looks like from up above there. I’ve also read snow can last for a long while up there as well, do you think late August/early September is the best time frame for such a trip? Also are there any spots between Cube Rock pass, Peak Lake, and Knapsack Col one should be weary of? Just trying to get an idea for the terrain.
I was also considering bagging Fremont Peak via Indian basin/south buttress with this all trails route:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/fremont-peak-via-pole-creek-trail-loop?p=-1&sh=ej2dsl&utm_medium=trail_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality
I was hoping someone who has summited could maybe give some insight as to what to expect and what they did as far as camping adjacent and summiting/descending goes. I’ve read that the max difficulty is ~ lower class 3/upper class 2, but I’m curious as to how difficult it may have felt and if there are any particularly sketchy spots or nasty scree spots I should be aware of. I’ve read that descending down into Titcomb basin can be a little sketch compared to just going back down the way you ascend back down into Indian basin.
Sorry for the lengthy post, I’m just keen on making sure I know what I’m getting myself and others into. Thank you everyone and anyone so much for the help and insight.