Wind River Range: Trip Planner
TRAVEL
Arrival and Departure Dates
It is helpful to arrive a couple of days prior to your climb in order to acclimatize. Otherwise, you should arrive the day before and stop by our office for an equipment check. Do not plan on traveling after the summit climb-you will be tired and there are no guarantees when we will return to the trailhead.
Air Travel
In the summer there are regular flights to Jackson Hole from Denver, Salt Lake City, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Minneapolis. We suggest making your reservation as soon as possible. If flights are sold out or too expensive, your options include flying into Idaho Falls, Salt Lake City, Bozeman, or Cody and renting a car. Idaho Falls is the closest option, just two hours away. Otherwise, Salt Lake City, Bozeman, and Cody are all about a five-hour drive from Jackson.
Also, the Jackson Hole Express (800-652-9510) provides daily shuttle service from Salt Lake City and Idaho Falls.
Local transportation
Please plan on providing your own transportation. Jackson Hole Mountain Guides does not provide transportation services but it is often possible to arrange car pools with other clients and the guide. Car rental, bus and taxi services are available.
Office Location and Directions
Jackson Hole Mountain Guides is located in downtown Jackson at 165 North Glenwood. Our phone number is (800) 239-7642,
From the airport, (north of town) drive south on Highway 89. In north Jackson, Highway 89 becomes Cache Drive. At the second traffic light, turn right on Gill Avenue. At the first intersection, turn left on Glenwood Street. We are located a half-block down on the right.
From south of town, drive north on Highway 89. In south Jackson, Highway 89 becomes Broadway. Just shy of the town square take left Glenwood Street (you’ll essentially turn into the Wort Hotel on a one-way). We are located one-and-a-half blocks down on the left.
For Southern Wind Rivers Rock Climbing Courses: Big Sandy Trailhead is located in the southwest corner of the Wind River Range; it is at an elevation of 9100’ and is about two hours from either Lander or Pinedale, depending on road conditions. The roads are long and bumpy, and it’s a smart idea to have a marked map if not traveling with your guide.
From Pinedale head 12 miles south on highway 191 to Boulder, where there is a left turn on state route 353. This road eventually turns to dirt; follow the signs to Big Sandy Opening, turning left at each of three junctions along the way. The campground and trailhead are located at the north end of the Opening, at the end of the road.
From Lander, follow Highway 28 west over South Pass, then just past the Sweetwater Rest Area, turn north (right) on a graded gravel road. Follow this for 25 miles, then turn right on the final leg to Big Sandy Opening and the trailhead.
For Gannett Peak and Northern Wind River Alpine Courses: Elkhart Park Trailhead is 14 miles east of Pinedale, and has a paved road the entire way to the 9380’ elevation parking lot. Near the east side of Pinedale, where the highway curves south and Faler’s General Store is located, turn east on Skyline Drive; there are signs for Fremont Lake. After three miles, bear right and subsequently pass roads on the right to Half Moon Lake and White Pine Ski Area. Pass a Forest Service A frame house and the parking area is on the right. To rendezvous at the horsepacker’s, take a right on a small two track, FS Road 740B about a third of a mile before (not just before) the A frame.
Contact our office regarding east side Wind River departures and shuttles.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Plan on having accommodations for the night prior to and the night you return from your climb. There are a plethora of hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts in Jackson and the surrounding area. Accommodations near our office make your transitions convenient. It is highly advisable to make reservations as early as possible. Jackson Hole is quite busy throughout the summer and holiday periods are often sold out.
For lodging and travel in Jackson, we suggest Jackson Hole Central Reservations and Jackson Hole Net .
Check with Pinedale Chamber of Commerce for motel availability there. See the Lander page for its motel recommendations.
There are numerous places to camp, including two Bridger-Teton Forest campgrounds, Cozy and Hoback on the Hoback River between Jackson and Pinedale; many of our Gannett Peak climbers camp at the Trail’s End campground right at Elkhart Park roadhead. The Big Sandy roadhead has a campground as well. They are all around $10-15/night, have potable water, and are first come, first served.
FOOD INFORMATION
During your stay in the mountains, Jackson Hole Mountain Guides will supply all breakfasts and dinners. You provide your own lunches, trail food, and energy drinks. Our office will provide more information on recommended foods to bring.
EQUIPMENT
View our equipment list in PDF format.
AMENITIES
All supplies must be purchased in town before the trip. Remember that the southern Winds offer some excellent fishing and one can bring along a rod for evening fishing.
There is a two-map set for the Wind Rivers published by Earthwalk Press that is quite good; our rock climbing courses are on the Southern quad, and Gannett and the Titcomb Basin peaks are on the Northern quad. These maps can be found at local shops or ordered online at Wild Iris Mountain Sports. The Joe Kelsey book, Climbing and Hiking in the Wind River Mountains, is a useful guidebook if you’d like to learn more about the area.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
This area has elevations from 9000-12,000’, and these relatively high elevations require some acclimatization. Staying extremely well hydrated is key to one’s success with exertion at altitude. It also helps to arrive a few days early, and do some hiking above 9000’. If you have had problems at altitude before please let us know ahead of time and consult with your physician before you come.
The weather is variable; often the nights are cool while the days can warm up substantially even in the alpine environment. Wind, rain, hail, even summer snow showers may be encountered, and expect early morning starts to avoid those afternoon thundershowers.
The drinking water needs to be treated, either with iodine pills or filters. We practice Leave No Trace camping, hiking, and climbing techniques to leave the wilderness areas as pristine as we found them. We follow safe bear camping practices in order to avoid any potential conflict.