Highpoints: Gannett Peak
Gannett Peak, the highest peak in Wyoming, is a remote and rugged mountain. Reaching Gannett Peak requires a two-day approach through some of the most beautiful areas in the Winds. We start from roadheads on both the west and east sides of the Wind River Range; please read the route descriptions below and contact our office to discuss details.GANNETT PEAK – ELKHART PARK ITINERARY
This Gannett Peak trip utilizes our traditional approach from the west side of the Wind River Mountains, and has a six day schedule. The trip starts with a two-hour organization session at our Jackson office the day before your trip. Paperwork is completed, gear is reviewed, packs are filled, and final details are made to carpool or meet at the Elkhart Park Trailhead, near Pinedale. Some people may drive down to Pinedale and meet the team at Bald Mountain Outfitters at 7am the first day of the trip.
Day One – (Approach to Island Lake, 13 mi)
5:00 am We depart the Jackson Hole Mountain Guides office and drive to the Elkhart Park Trailhead. If other team members have elected to stay in Pinedale, we meet them at Bald Mountain Outfitters.
7:00 am Rendezvous at Bald Mountain Outfitters. Two mules will carry in up to 300 pounds of gear for our team. Your gear should be packed in a separate duffel bag for the mules.
8:00 am Depart Elkhart Park Trailhead on the Pole Creek Trail. The 10 miles past Photographer’s Point and Seneca Lake is a beautiful and relatively flat hike. Camp will be established very near to the equipment drop just past Island Lake.
Day Two – (Approach to the head of Upper Titcomb Basin, 4 mi)
Today we load up our packs and hike 4.5 miles and several hours to the head of Titcomb Basin. As we travel up this glacially carved valley, we walk alongside two mile-long green-blue lakes. Jagged peaks (Fremont, Sacagawea, and Mt. Helen) rise abruptly into the sky. Camp is made above the upper lake and below Mt. Helen. In the afternoon, snow climbing and self-arrest techniques are reviewed and practiced on nearby snowfields.
Days Three and Four – (potential summit days)
An alpine start allows us to reach the summit of Gannett before noon and return to camp before dark. Be prepared for a 14-hour day! This long climb requires excellent fitness-please be prepared. There are a number of route choices, the most popular one being the Gooseneck Route. All routes are technical and entail crossing glaciers, snow climbing, and rock scrambling over exposed terrain. Our guides employ ropes, pickets, and belays whenever necessary.
We can alternatively have a partial rest/training day on Day Three, and possibly move camp up to the top of Bonney Pass in good weather. Day Four would then be summit day.
Day Five – (Hike part-way out, 6 to 9 mi)
The last two days of the trip are great for enjoying the Wind River Mountains. There is excellent fishing (permit required) in nearby lakes and the views remai stunning. We cover between 6 and 9 miles this day.
Day Six – (Return to trailhead, 8 to 11 mi)
The final hiking day takes us past Seneca, Hobbs, and Eklund Lakes. A final break at Photographer’s Point allows one last view of Titcomb Basin and Gannett Peak.
Gannett Peak and Traverse of the Winds For those who want a bit more adventure following their summit attempt, we can arrange for a vehicle shuttle that allows you cross from west to east across the Wind Rivers.
The itinerary is much the same as the normal six-day Gannett Peak climb. The exception is we will climb over Dinwoody Pass on Day Three and hike down to the base of Gannett Peak. On Day Four we make our summit attempt and move camp further down the Dinwoody drainage. Days Five and Six are spent hiking out.
GANNETT PEAK — COLD SPRINGS ITINERARY
JHMG can also arrange for Gannett trips starting at Cold Springs roadhead on the Wind River Indian Reservation. This trip utilizes the shortest approach to the peak with a five day schedule; hiring a Tribal Outfitter and purchasing a fishing permit are required for use of this roadhead and the tribal lands.
The Gannett Peak trip starts with a two-hour organization session at our Jackson office the day before your trip. Paperwork is completed, gear is reviewed, packs are filled, and final details are made to carpool or meet in Crowheart, near Dubois.
Day One – (Approach to Echo Lake)
7AM The party will meet the tribal outfitter in Crowheart, where we’ll park our cars and then get driven to the roadhead. Please have packs already packed up. The Cold Springs roadhead is at ~9500’, and we hike for about 6 miles, up and over the 11,400’, aptly named Scenic Pass, where Gannett Peak and the entire northern Wind River Range can be viewed. The first camp is at Echo Lake, by the Ink Wells trail.
Day Two - (Hike to Dinwoody Glacier)
From Echo Lake, we hike southwest and join the Dinwoody Trail. Following Dinwoody Creek upstream, we have several river crossings along the ~8 mile hike. Camp will be established at the terminal moraine of the Dinwoody Glacier.
Day Three – (Summit Day)
An alpine start allows us to reach the summit of Gannett before noon and return to camp in the afternoon. Be prepared for a full day! There are a number of route choices, including the Gooseneck Route and the South Couloir. All routes are technical and entail crossing glaciers, snow climbing, and rock scrambling over exposed terrain. Our guides employ ropes, pickets, and belays whenever necessary.
Days Four and Five – (Return to Echo Lake and the roadhead)
The last two days are great for enjoying the Wind River Mountains. We trace our steps back the way we came, with a final grunt up and over Scenic Pass. We’ll rendezvous with the Indian Guide at Cold Springs at noon on the fifth day.
GANNETT PEAK – OTHER TRAILHEADS
We also occasionally use approaches from the Green River Lakes or New Fork Lake trailheads on the west side of the Wind River Range, and Trail Creek on the east side. Although they are longer than the traditional approach via Titcomb Basin, the rewards include being off the beaten path and experiencing more of the Wind River Range.