Wyoming’s Wind River Hiking
July 16-22, 2010
Guide: Meredith Taylor |
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Recent Species List N/A |
Walk trails in some of the most inspiring scenery on the planet with views of high peaks, sculptured valleys, mountain lakes, and red-rock badlands. The Wind River region, headwaters of the Wind River, is home to the largest Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep population in the world. It is a rugged landscape with majestic glaciers backlit by skies the same color as its resident Mountain Bluebirds.
On this Naturalist Journey’s hiking trip, Peg’s dear friend Meredith Taylor shares her knowledge and love of the country as our guide. She and her husband Tory have explored this country for over thirty years afoot and on horseback. They have also worked diligently for its protection and have won several conservation awards.
Celebrate and savor lush mountain summer on a mix of hikes along beautiful rivers where songbirds, Moose, River Otters and Ospreys may be found. Enjoy seeing the impressive Bighorn Sheep museum in Dubois and a chance to see wild sheep feeding on the high slopes of Whiskey Mountain, one of our hiking routes. On some days we climb for views of the neighboring Grand Teton Mountains and time with alpine flowers and possible sightings of Black Rosy Finches. Our home base for five nights is Dubois, a small and scenic town that retains its friendly western flair.
Meredith will take us to find Native American petroglyphs and shares information about several important archaeological finds. We plan to hike to a site they have helped to map and record – a place with astonishing views. The region’s wildlife includes abundant Elk, Bighorn Sheep and Pronghorn. By understanding their migratory past, teamed with knowledge of the archaeological discoveries, Meredith helped produce a documentary about ancient pathways of mankind and game.
A sense of geologic and human history is strong here and is evidenced in place names for the area: let us introduce you to stories of the Tetons, Absarokas, Arrow Mountain (named for the chert from which the Indians made their arrowheads,) Washakie Wilderness (named for Chief Washakie of the Shoshone tribe), Frontier Creek, Bear Basin and Togwotee Pass. Plant names suggest emblems of the West as well: Indian Paintbrush (Wyoming's state flower), Penstemon, Sagebrush, Prickly Pear and Evening Primrose. At night there are incredible starlit skies and often, the song of coyotes.
We spend a day in Grand Teton National Park where we have a good chance to see Elk, Porcupines, Dusky Grouse, Pine Grosbeaks, Sandhill Cranes and other species. Near the airport we visit the National Elk Refuge ponds where from a boardwalk trail we should see a nice array of ducks, Trumpeter Swans, Yellow-headed Blackbirds, Sora and possibly Northern Harriers.
ITINERARY
Fri., July 16 Arrive in Jackson Hole, WY / Grand Tetons
Plan to arrive in Jackson Hole, WY today by 2:00 PM to meet the group and drive over to our hotel. We’ve chosen a hotel in easy walking distance of the town square and a host of delightful shops and restaurants. Enjoy a welcome dinner and introductions at 7:00 PM at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Accommodations in Jackson (D)
Sat., July 17 Grand Teton National Park / Jackson
Adventures in Grand Teton National Park call us! We team up with local wildlife experts for a day afield. In a mix of habitats we look for Moose, Coyotes, Porcupines, both Golden and Bald Eagles, Osprey and other species. Along the Snake River we stop at viewpoints for fabulous views, explanations of the grand geology, and some excellent birding. Species to look for include Dusky Grouse, Sandhill Cranes, Gray Jays, American Goldfinches, Wilson Snipe, and Great Blue Heron. Enjoy a scenic ride over Togwotee Pass and dinner in the delightful town of Dubois. Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Accommodations at the Twin Pines Hotel, Dubois (B,L)
Sun., July 18 Absaroka Mountains: Bonneville Pass / Dubois
This morning we drive through Grand Teton National Park and through the Togwotee Pass en route to Dubois. Driving from Jackson to Dubois, we pass through Grand Teton National Park by the Teton & Gros Ventre mountain ranges that rise from the valley of Jackson Hole, giving us glimpses of some of the spectacular geology of the West. The Tetons are one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world. We take a picnic lunch and hike up to Bonneville Pass where we can see an incredible display of wildflowers from marsh marigolds to lupine, Indian Paintbrush, and columbine. This huge open meadow looks up to the snow fields of the Continental Divide, Washakie and Teton Wilderness Areas. This is the nesting habitat of Clark's Nutcrackers, Black Rosy Finches, Horned Larks, American Pipits and, now quite rare, Mountain Plovers.
At the northern end of the valley, we climb over the Continental Divide on Togwotee Pass through conifer forests of lodgepole pine, Engleman spruce, Douglas fir and Whitebark pine. Togwotee pass is a haven for migratory birds, as well as such fascinating birds as Clark's Nutcracker which has a close relationship to the high altitude whitebark pine community. We'll look for Grizzly Bears, Elk, Moose and Beaver in the wetlands along the pass. Here we may also find a variety of ducks and geese.
Our drive of 80 miles reveals tall cliffs of the Pinnacles, excellent examples of the Wiggins formation of Yellowstone's volcanic eruptions millions of years ago which left layers of sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. The Wind River Valley opens up to the East as we pass by brightly colored Eocene formation of the Badlands. There we'll have a chance to look for Mule Deer, Coyotes, and some riparian birds. Settle into your accommodations at Twin Pines Lodge.
Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Accommodations at the Twin Pines Lodge (B,L)
Mon., July 19 Wind River Mountains: Arrow Mountain & Glacier Trail
This morning we will cross a creek and climb a switchback trail to reach extensive meadows of the Glacier Trail. Our reward is an awe-inspiring view of the northern Wind River Range from Arrow Mountain. As we hike amidst the amazing array of wildflowers here, you may feel the urge to sing, "The hills are alive with The Sound of Music." We have a picnic lunch from a prehistoric "SheepEater" cultural site and talk about this native culture and their occupation of this area. Along the way, we have a good chance to observe Magpies, American Robins, Gray Jays, and even Golden Eagles soaring in the highcountry.
On the way back down the valley, we will stop at the historic Jakey's Fork B&B where Butch Cassidy had his hide-away cabin. There, we will enjoy a delicious dinner along the Jakey's Fork of the Wind River, named for J.K. Moore, who started the CM Ranch, just upstream. After dinner, we could enjoy the entertaining music of the Celtic Cowgirls (a local band that includes our guide Meredith) around a campfire.
Accommodations at the Twin Pines Lodge (B,L,D)
Tue., July 20Absaroka Mountains: Double Cabin Trails
Today we cross the valley and explore the Absaroka Mountains, volcanic in origin and spectacular in scope and size. We drive up Horse Creek to Double Cabin, a historic settlement now a Forest Service Cabin, which sits at the junction of two immense and intriguing drainages. Here we enjoy a picnic lunch on the Wiggins Fork River where we might see petrified wood in the riverbed. Throughout the day we may have the opportunity to see Mountain Bluebirds, Western Tanagers, Green-tailed Towhees, Cinnamon Teals, Great Blue Herons, and with luck, Northern Goshawk, for many years a breeding species here. Fringed Gentian should be in abundant bloom as well as the magenta-colored Monkey Flower that decorates the riverbed.
After a great day of hiking, we return to Dubois in the afternoon. There will be time to tour the Bighorn Sheep Museum, then relax, rest, browse through the town shops, which include a wonderful trading post.
Dinner tonight is at your leisure.
Accommodations at the Twin Pines Lodge (B,L)
Wed., July 21 Absaroka Mountains: East Fork
Today we will travel up the East Fork of the Wind River which has some of the most amazing landscapes of the Washakie Wilderness and the Absaroka Range, named for the Crow Indian tribe. This was the 25 mile route that for many years was an official Breeding Bird Survey on which one of the highlight species was Sage Thrasher. We take a hike up the glaciated river valley of the Absarokas into the Washakie Wilderness where we may see Mule Deer, Elk and Moose. In aspen habitat we may find Red-naped Sapsucker, MacGillivray’s Warblers, House Wrens, Cedar Waxwings and above the badlands, Common Ravens.
Returning down the valley, we'll see the sun setting on the beautiful Indian Ridge formation of Eocene badlands above the East Fork. Here we'll talk about how the WY Game and Fish Department purchased the old Double Diamond Ranch for wildlife habitat and what a difference it made in restoring the wildlife migration routes of native ungulates to the Wind River Indian Reservation down country. After freshening up at the Twin Pines Lodge, we will enjoy a group farewell dinner at the Rustic Pine Tavern, a short walk down Main Street.
Accommodations at the Twin Pines Lodge (B,L,D)
Thurs., July 22 Departures from Jackson Hole airport
Our journey comes to an end today in Jackson Hole, so we plan to arrive at the airport around 10:30 for flights out at noon or later. (B)
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Tour Cost and Travel Arrangements:
The cost of this journey is $1895.00 from Jackson Hole, WY. This cost is based on double occupancy and includes all accommodations; meals as specified in the itinerary, group airport transfers, professional guide services, local park and other area entrance fees, and miscellaneous program expenses. The cost is based on a minimum number of 8 participants, with fewer a small group surcharge (typically $100-$300) may apply. The cost does not include transportation to or from your home to Jackson Hole, or items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone charges, porterage, maid gratuities or beverages from the bar. Single supplement (as available) is $395.00.
Transportation:
A good number of airlines service Jackson Hole. Plan to arrive Jackson no later than 2:00 PM on July 16, and plan to depart after noon on July 22. If you arrive early or stay on after the trip in Jackson Hole, there are a number of motels we can recommend.
Photo Credits:
Columbian Ground Squirrel, Tony Beck - www3.sympatico.ca/beck.tony/; Northern Flicker, Bud Ferguson; Torrey Rim photos, Gary Keimig - gkeimigart.blogspot.com; all other photos
by Peg Abbott. |
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