The Wind River Range (or "Winds"), is a sub-range of the Rocky Mountains in western Wyoming in the United States.  In the Wind Rivers range, you can hike for days without seeing another soul.  The range runs NW-SE for about 150 miles with the central ridge forming a section of the continental divide. This amazing range has over 30 peaks above 13,000 feet including Gannett Peak which at 13,804 feet (4,207 m) is the highest peak in Wyoming. Two large National Forests encompass the greater part of the mountain range. The Wind River Range is the highest range in the Rockies outside of Colorado and contains many glaciers in the northern part of the range, which give it an alpine character.  This Range is possibly the most dominant range of the hundred or so that make up the Rockies in the United States.   

Wind River Range, Wyoming

Part of the Rocky Mountains, this stunning range has a south-east orientation constituting part of the Continental Divide and stretches more than 100 miles in western Wyoming.  Historic passes cross these mountains including  South Pass (alt. c.7,550 ft/2,301 m), at the southern end of the range, which was the most important pass on the Oregon Trail through the Rocky Mountain.    Apparently, the Wind River itself was named by the Crow tribe who had noticed the frequent wind in the basin. Groups would occasionally endure the frigid winters in the basin by lodging near the Washakie Hot Springs.

See Web Cam of Wind Rivers

The Wind River Range are known to have a small Grizzly bear population, primarily in the northernmost areas near Yellowstone. We've seen black bear and other mammals including elk, moose, mule deer, pronghorn and wolverine. Bald eagles, falcons and hawk are just a few of the 300 species of birds known to inhabit the region. The streams and lakes are home to cutthroat trout, brown trout and northern pike. The forests are dominated by lodge pole pine, white bark pine, fir and spruce.  This range is extraordinarily elongated, wide, rugged, lofty, and isolated.  Many folks on our planet do not know about the Wind River Range because it is rather isolated, but to many the "Winds" are clearly the exemplary range in the Rocky Mountains!  Not a single road crosses the range, and in some places the crest is over twenty miles from the nearest trailhead.  One of the oldest ranges on earth. It runs from NW Wyoming to west central Wyoming for 150 miles. It contains the highest peak in the middle and northern Rocky Mountains. Probably one of the most spectacular ranges in the world filled with huge glacially carved out granite mountains called "cirques".

Generally, the west side of the Wind River Range offers easy access into the mountains with moderate gains in elevation. The east side, however, typically offers deep canyons and big elevation gains in relatively short distances. Most trails are well marked and easy to follow, but, as with all wilderness experiences, you should hike with a map and compass. The bugs are infamous in the Winds.  There are a number of routes into the Wind River Range. Major access points can be found outside the towns of Lander (on the southeastern side of the range), Pinedale (western access), Dubois (to the north), and Fort Washakie (also on the east).

Places to see in the Wind River Range. 

Lakes
Green River Lakes, New Fork Lakes, Willow, Soda, Fremont, Long, Halfmoon, and Fayette Lakes, Meadow, Burnt, and Boulder Lakes, Middle Fork Lake, Rainbow Lake, Lee Lake, Dragon Head Peak, Halls Lake, Shoestring Lake, Halls Mountain, Silver Lake

Popular Destinations:
Cirque of the Towers, Jackass Pass, Big Sandy Lake, Lonesome Lake, Square Top Mountain, Mammoth and Dinwoody Glacier; Gannett, Dinwoody, and Hellen Peaks; Bony Pass, Titcomb Basin, Indian Basin, Island Lake; Fremont and Harrower Peaks
Temple, East Temple, and Haystack Peaks; Deep, and Temple Lakes, Scab Creek Trailhead, Divide Lake

Granite Hot Springs
Go west from Pinedale on US 191 for 55 miles, through Bondurant into the beautiful Hoback Canyon. At the "Granite Hot Springs" sign, turn north (right) onto the gravel road. Continue for about 10 miles to the outdoor hot springs located in a picturesque alpine setting, offering campgrounds, hiking trails, and a bath house. A fee is charged.

Soda & Willow Lakes, & Spring Creek Park
At the west end of Pinedale, turn north at the Soda Lake sign. Follow the gravel road for seven miles to the lake, known for brown and brook trout fishing. On the north end of the lake is a blind for viewing waterfowl. Three miles farther is Willow Lake, known for rainbow and lake trout. To get to Spring Creek Park, Follow the right fork between Soda and Willow Lakes. This beautiful forested area is a trailhead and picnic area.

Elkhart Park to Photographer's Point
As easy as hiking gets in the Wind River Mountains. From the main trailhead to Elkhart Park, take the well marked Pole Creek Trail. About two miles in is the "Bridger Wilderness" sign. It is one more mile to Miller Park. The trail forks with Miller Lake one mile to the right, and Photographer's Point one mile to the left. There is a spectacular view of Fremont Peak and the Continental Divide across a deep glacial valley. Return by the same route.

Green River Lake
About 100 miles round trip. Go west from Pinedale on US 191 for six miles. Turn north on WY 352 and continue for 25 miles until the pavement ends. Follow the Forest Service road for 20 more miles. Along the route, you will pass the Kendall Warm Springs, the only home to the Kendall Dace (a small fish). Watch for wildlife, especially moose in the Green River. From the parking lot, it is a very short hike to the Green River Lake which offers a beautiful view of Square Top Mountain, day hikes and trailheads.

Half Moon & Fayette Lakes
Take Skyline Drive north from Pinedale for eight miles. Turn right at the "Half Moon Lake' sign. Follow the gravel road, and park at the end. Follow the trail up the hill and along the lake. After about a mile and a half, the trail turns to the left. Stay on the west side of the creek until you reach Fayette Lake (2 miles). All along this trail are fishing and picnicking sites. This area is lightly used and offers flora, fauna, and solitude.

Daniel Fish Hatchery
Go west from Pinedale on US 191 for 15 miles to sign and turn off. Follow gravel road to hatchery where 3.3 million grayling and golden, brook, brown and rainbow trout eggs are hatched annually. The Boulder fish rearing station is 15 miles south of Pinedale on US 191. At the sign turn east for 1 mile. Then watch for ospreys fishing the concrete raceways.

The Fremont Trail, originally called the Highline Trail hovers around 10,000 feet. This loop trail (Number 094 on the Forest Service visitor's map) extends for about 17 miles.  A amazing sight is the Cirque of the Towers, a semicircle of thrusting precipices equally renowned among rock climbers and photographers.

WEATHER:    Summer season in the Wind Rivers is generally July-September with snow lingering on the higher trails into July. A snow storm is traditional between the last week of August and the second week of September. This is often followed by a dry period with crisp temperatures for 1-4 weeks. Wind River Peak has been successfully skinned and skied from winter to early June.

Although many people play and sightsee in Yellowstone National Park, just a short drive to the northwest, not many folks come to see the Winds.  The Winds provide an excellent get-away, if you want to be away from the RV’s, campers and others.  The Wind River Range is one of the most spectacular wilderness classrooms in the world.   It is a land filled with high granite peaks, mountain lakes ideal for fly fishing, and sub-alpine forests. The abundant high-altitude granite and permanent snow here make it a perfect setting for learning the basics of rock climbing and mountaineering.

Are you looking for a map series that you can use to plan your hike in the Wind River Range?   We can provide you a data set -  on CD-ROM - that depicts a digital version of the well-known and accurate USGS paper maps.   These maps are often used as reference maps for field or office work and define a specific piece of geography.  The map show contours, cities, vegetation, lakes, rivers, trails, roads, railroads and other spatial features.

How were these maps made?

Place Order

The cost is $18.95. 

Note: If you wish, download the free computer program for viewing the maps.   A Hyperlink is provided on the CD-ROM to facilitate the download of the free viewer .  Options exist for  both Windows and Apple / Macintosh systems. 

For Windows 95, 98, NT 4, 2000, XP, XP Pro

• Download the MrSID viewer for Windows   (option 1)

• GeoViewer Software  (option 2, as a PKZIP file)

• MrSID User Manual for Windows

For Macintosh OS 9.x (latest version available)

• Download the MrSID viewer for Macintosh

• MrSID User Manual for Macintosh

Other Macintosh OS X Plug-ins

• For more information, visit the LizardTech download site  .
  http://www.lizardtech.com/download/dl_options.php?page=viewers

"Thanks for the map guys, it is great.  I printed some maps on waterproof paper and they are perfect."   Ted S.- Bozeman, MT

"Downloading the free viewer was easy.  Its a great application to view the maps you sent.  We hiked in the Crazy Mountains and the maps let us plan our trip! thank you.  Julie B.  - Madison Wisconsin

"The price is right and so are the maps... less than what I paid for some lingerie for my wife.  The maps are actually  more sexy."  Cal T.  St Cloud Minnesota.

"Thanks for sending the CD-ROM so fast - The quad  maps are wonderful.  Its nice to see the entire area without any map seams.  Its good to know there are trusting folks like you.  Thanks!" Cally S.  Chicago, IL

"You guys are quick.  Thanks for the fast turn-around.  Its nice to view this area as a seamless map as opposed  to looking at a bunch of paper Topographic maps on the table.  Thank you mucho!"  Kim T.     Boston, MA

See a Live View of the Wind River Range from the Pinedale Web Cam