Skurka's Wind River High Route

Southern Winds: Bruce's Bridge to Bonneville Lakes (Mile 0 - 40). 11,000+ ft gain At Bruce's Bridge, follow the Middle Fork Trail (9 miles), the Pinto Park Trail (3 miles), and the Deep Creek Cutoff Trail (2 miles) to Deep Creek Lakes. Ahead is the long climb up to Wind River Peak which receives the brunt of afternoon thunderstorms. So, if it's between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., be prepared for the weather or camp at Deep Creek Lakes for a morning push. The climb up Wind River Peak takes the northeast broad ridge to the summit (3rd to 4th class). Enjoy this view of the entire range - you can nearly pick out the entire High Route from here. The descent takes the southwest ridge (aim for the divide that connects to East Temple Peak) and down an obvious large couloir to a world of talus below. You'll find the Black Joe Trail once out of the major cirque. Take the Big Sandy Trail over Jackass Pass to Lonesome Lake and over Texas Pass to Shadow Lake. Follow Shadow Lake trail to Hailey Pass trail. Once at Skull Lake, take a northeast heading off the trail close to the head of the lake (aiming for Mount Geikie). You'll be off trail for the remainder of this segment, so pay attention. Follow the East Fork drainage upstream and climb up the 3rd class talus to the saddle between Raid Peak (the largest wall at the head of the valley), and Mount Bonneville. Pick your way down talus to Bonneville Lake.Central Winds: Bonneville Lakes to Alpine Lakes (Mile 40 - 65). 7,000+ ft gainFrom Bonneville Lake, take the pass above, navigating talus and slabs to Middle Fork Lake. Briefly head around the lake and then straight up to Bewmark Lake. Cross over Photo Pass, wrap around Halls Mountain towards the easiest pass seen ahead aiming to stay close to the eastern face of the divide. At last, Europe Peak's east ridge lies ahead (3rd to 4th class). The broad northwest ridge descends the mountain to Golden Lakes. Grab the Hay Pass Trail here, to Camp Lake, then upstream skirting the southwestern side of the Alpine Lakes, avoiding The Fortress. Good camping is found below the Upper Alpine Lake.Northern Winds: Alpine Lakes to Trail Lake (Mile 65 - 97). 9,000 ft gainTake the talus pass at the head of upper Alpine Lake into Indian Basin. A long way on talus skirts the Knife Blade Glacier to the bottom of the drainage. Once off the moraine, keep an eye out for a reasonable pass, which cuts over to Bull Creek. Stay on the north side of Bull Creek heading upstream towards the intimidating Blaurock Pass (3rd class talus). Down the pass to Dinwoody Creek, follow the large moraine skirting around West Sentinel peak to a 3rd class talus pass. The other side requires a mandatory traverse across the Gannett Glacier, although there are no major crevasses in this section. Aim for the passage between the rocky knoll and glacier. Traverse Dinwoody Creek, setting general bearings on Grasshopper Glacier. Traverse the glacier aiming for the Continental divide, following the divide to Baker Lake. Staying on the divide, skirt Yukon Peak, and traverse high ridges to Downs Mountain. The east ridge of Downs Mountain brings you to No Mans Pass and on a large plateau that connects with the Glacier Trail, and a long descent to your car at Trail Lake.

Andrew Skurka, an acclaimed long-distance backpacker and adventurer, developed the Wind River High Route in the early 2010s. Skurka, known for his ultralight backpacking ethos and extensive experience creating similar routes in other ranges (such as the Sierra High Route), aimed to develop a high-altitude trek through the Wind River Range that would push the limits of experienced backpackers while showcasing the remote beauty of this relatively underexplored region.Skurka's motivation was to capture the full breadth of the Wind River Range's alpine landscape. The route emphasizes the "high" experience by keeping hikers at elevations often above 10,000 feet and incorporating passes, ridges, and glaciated terrain that require technical skill, physical stamina, and meticulous planning.You can read more about Andrew Skurka and get beta from the man himself at https://andrewskurka.com/adventures/wind-river-high-route/