Big Sandy to Jackass Pass & Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, WY (9-1-15)

August 31, 2015, Day 23 of Lupe’s great Summer of 2015 Dingo Vacation, was spent getting repositioned from Green River Lakes at the NW end of the Wind River Range down to the Big Sandy Trailhead at the SE end.  Early in the morning, Lupe and SPHP went down to take a look at Lower Green River Lake and Squaretop Mountain one last time.  There were three moose down there!  One was just a youngster.

Momma moose and calf near Lower Green River Lake, Wind River Range, WY
Momma moose and calf near Lower Green River Lake, Wind River Range, WY.  There was a 3rd moose, too, but it quickly disappeared into the forest.
Lupe and SPHP said good-bye to Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain early on 8-31-15.
Lupe and SPHP said good-bye to Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain early on 8-31-15.

Moose near Green River Lake, WY 8-31-15All three moose were soon out of sight in the forest.  Lupe has now seen 5 moose.  One in Canada during her 2014 Dingo Vacation, and four on her 2015 Dingo Vacation.

After a last fond look at Green River Lake and Squaretop Mountain (11,695 ft.), Lupe and SPHP made the long drive along the dusty and very washboardy road following the Green River back to pavement.  Lupe and SPHP stopped for a while in Pinedale, WY, and then continued on to the Big Sandy trailhead and campground.  This ultimately involved another long drive along another dusty and very washboardy road.

Starting in June, 1930, Finis Mitchell and his wife, Emma, ran a fishing camp at Mud Lake near the Big Sandy opening.  As a 4 year old child, Finis had arrived with his parents at the Wind River Range in April, 1906.  He spent much of his life in the Winds.  Lupe and SPHP went to check out the Big Sandy Lodge near Mud Lake.

The Big Sandy Lodge near Mud Lake.
Lupe at the Big Sandy Lodge near Mud Lake.
Mud Lake, Finis Mitchell's old base of operations for his fishing camp many years ago.
Lupe visits Mud Lake, Finis Mitchell’s old base of operations for his fishing camp many years ago.

The Big Sandy Lodge is not related in any way to Finis Mitchell’s old fishing camp, except that it is in the same location.  There is no electricity, and the lodge does not accept credit cards.  Meals are served in the main building for lodge guests only.  The lodge complex features very nice individual cabins.  The entire complex is located just S of Mud Lake.

After visiting Big Sandy Lodge and Mud Lake, Lupe and SPHP spent the rest of the day near the Big Sandy campground.  There were lots of cars at the very popular trailhead.  SPHP spent some time getting ready for Lupe’s big trip up to Jackass Pass and the Cirque of the Towers the next day.

On the first day of Lupe’s 2013 Dingo Vacation, she had spent a night out under the stars on top of Bald Mountain in the Bighorn Mountains in Wyoming.  Lupe had also been tenting on the Clark’s Fork of the Yellowstone and other places during her Dingo Vacations.  But Lupe had never before done what she was going to do the next morning.  She had never been on a backpacking trip.  This was going to be a very short one, just 3 days and 2 nights, but SPHP was pretty certain she would love it.

September 1, 2015 (Day 24 of Lupe’s 2015 Dingo Vacation) was bright and beautiful.  After breakfast at a picnic table, Lupe and SPHP set out on the trail to Big Sandy Lake, about 5 miles to the NE.  The first part of the trail was near Big Sandy Creek. Nearly all of the trail goes through forest.  Most of it gains elevation at a slow to moderate pace.  Lupe had fun exploring the forest, and occasionally barking at squirrels along the way.

Lupe near Big Sandy Creek on her way to Big Sandy Lake.
Lupe near Big Sandy Creek on her way to Big Sandy Lake.

Although some big mountains could be seen now and then, it didn’t really feel like Lupe was among them until she reached Big Sandy Lake.  At Big Sandy Lake there were towering mountains in every direction, except back the way Lupe had come from.  Lupe and SPHP stopped for a little break at Big Sandy Lake.

Lupe at Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks NE.
Lupe at Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks NE.

After the break, Lupe and SPHP continued along the trail on the NW side of Big Sandy Lake.  Several trails branch out from Big Sandy Lake.  Lupe and SPHP were looking for the trail to Jackass Pass, which leaves the area from the NW corner of the lake.  The trail to Jackass Pass had no signage at the intersection, but Lupe and SPHP found it without any trouble.

Haystack Mountain from Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks ESE.
Haystack Mountain (11,978 ft.) from Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks ESE.

Haystack Mountain from Big Sandy Lake, Wind River Range, WY 9-1-15

Schiestler Peak from Big Sandy Lake. Photo looks SSE.
Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (pointy mountain at center), Temple Peak (highest R of center in distance) from Big Sandy Lake.
Haystack Mountain (L), East Temple Peak (pointy mountain peeking up at center), and Temple Peak (highest R of center in distance) from Big Sandy Lake.

Although Lupe had gained some elevation in the 5 miles getting to Big Sandy Lake, the real climb began when she started heading N on the trail up toward Jackass Pass.  The trail went through forest at first, but the trees became progressively more stunted and scraggly, and the way became rockier as Lupe gained elevation.

War Bonnet Peak (12,369 ft.) on the way to Jackass Pass. Photo looks NW.
North Lake and War Bonnet Peak. Photo looks NW.
Lupe at North Lake. This lake was not named on SPHP's maps, but they did show North Creek going through it. Photo looks S.
Lupe at North Lake. This lake was not named on SPHP’s maps, but they did show North Creek going through it.  Sundance Pinnacle (11,054 ft.) is seen at R.  Photo looks S.

The trail to Jackass Pass went past two lakes.  In both cases, the trail gained a couple hundred feet of elevation to go around the E side of the lake, only to drop clear back down to lake level before continuing on to regain the lost elevation and more.  In some places it was possible to lose the trail among the rocks, but it wasn’t too hard to find it again.  Usually a Carolina Dog appeared on it before the search was even begun.

The first lake the trail came to was unnamed on SPHP’s maps, but a backpacker said it was North Lake.  This made sense, since the map did show North Creek heading down to Big Sandy Lake from it.  The second lake Lupe came to was Arrowhead Lake.

Lupe up high on the rocks E of Arrowhead Lake. Photo looks S back in the direction Lupe has been coming from. From left to right: Haystack Mountain, East Temple Peak, Temple Peak, Schiestler Peak.
Lupe up high on the rocks E of Arrowhead Lake. Photo looks S back in the direction Lupe has been coming from. From left to right: Haystack Mountain, East Temple Peak (12,600 ft.), Temple Peak (12,972 ft.), Schiestler Peak.

SPHP isn’t exactly sure where Jackass Pass is officially located.  Lupe got her first view of the Cirque of the Towers from the high point on the trail as it passed to the E of Arrowhead Lake.  Not too far ahead was another ridge of about the same elevation, which is probably technically Jackass Pass.

It was windy up high near Arrowhead Lake and Jackass Pass. Lupe took shelter near these big rocks and had a little rest.
It was windy up high near Arrowhead Lake and Jackass Pass. Lupe took shelter near these big rocks and had a little rest.
From the first high ridge E of Arrowhead Lake, Lupe gets her first view of the mighty Cirque of the Towers. Photo looks NW.
From the high ridge E of Arrowhead Lake, Lupe gets her first view of the mighty Cirque of the Towers. Photo looks NW.
The 2nd high ridge, which is probably the official location of Jackass Pass is seen ahead in the foreground. Photo looks N.
The 2nd high ridge, which SPHP believes is the official location of Jackass Pass, is seen ahead in the foreground. Photo looks N.
Jackass Pass dead ahead.
Jackass Pass dead ahead.
Lupe and the Cirque of the Towers. Two days later as Lupe headed back to the G6, SPHP met a backpacker on the way to Jackass Pass. The backpacker asked if it was worth the climb. SPHP's response was, "If you don't like what you see up there, you just don't like mountains. Try the ocean on your next vacation."
Lupe and the Cirque of the Towers. Two days later as Lupe headed back to the G6, SPHP met a backpacker on the way to Jackass Pass for the 1st time. The backpacker asked if it was worth the effort. SPHP’s response was, “If you don’t like what you see up there, you just don’t like mountains. Try the ocean on your next vacation.”

SPHP believes the 2nd ridge is really Jackass Pass.  To get to it, the trail dropped clear down almost to the level of Arrowhead Lake and then went back up again.  From the second ridge, there was a huge panoramic view encompassing the Cirque of the Towers, Pingora Peak (11,884 ft.), Lonesome Lake, Texas Pass and Lizard Head Peak (12,842 ft.).  Lupe and SPHP headed for the highest part of the ridge at Jackass Pass to take in the amazing scene.

Looking back at Arrowhead Lake just before Lupe climbed up to Jackass Pass. The main trail passes Arrowhead Lake over high ground to the L of this photo. There is an alternate route around the other side of the lake seen on the R. When Lupe left the Cirque of the Towers two days later, she took the route around the far (W) side of the lake. Lupe had no problem using it, but the area of large boulders seen at the far R side of the lake as shown in this photo slowed SPHP down tremendously. It would have been easier to just stick to the main trail.
Looking back at Arrowhead Lake just before Lupe climbed up to Jackass Pass. The main trail passes Arrowhead Lake to the E over high ground to the L of this photo. There is an alternate route around the other side of the lake seen on the R. When Lupe left the Cirque of the Towers two days later, she took the route around the W side of the lake. Lupe had no problems, but the area of large boulders (seen in this photo at the far R side of the lake) slowed SPHP down tremendously. It would have been easier to just stick to the main trail.
Lupe at Jackass Pass where she gets her first view of Lonesome Lake. Texas Pass is the low point in bright sunlight on the far ridge near the center of this photo. Photo looks N.
Lupe at Jackass Pass where she gets her first view of Lonesome Lake. Texas Pass is the low point in bright sunlight on the far ridge near the center of this photo. Photo looks N.
Pingora Peak and Lonesome Lake from Jackass Pass. Pingora Peak is the distinctive tall column of rock on the L.
Pingora Peak (L), Lonesome Lake, and Texas Pass (R center) from Jackass Pass.
Pingora Peak (L), Lonesome Lake, and Texas Pass (R center) from Jackass Pass.  Photo looks N.
Warbonnet Peak from Jackass Pass. Lupe tries to take shelter from the wind. Photo looks SW.
Lupe looks S from Jackass Pass in the direction she came to get here. East Temple Peak is in the sunlight on the L. Temple Peak is the highest mountain in the distance. The lake is Arrowhead Lake. The trail to get to Jackass Pass came over the big rocky ridge shown L of Arrowhead Lake.
Cirque of the Towers from Jackass Pass. Near the center of this photo is a brown grassy area just below some big smooth light gray rock. SPHP pitched Lupe's "tiny house" (the tent) in this brown grassy area. Lupe spent the next two evenings and nights there. She loved it!
Cirque of the Towers from Jackass Pass. Near the center of this photo is a brown grassy area just below some big smooth light gray rock. SPHP pitched Lupe’s “tiny house” (the tent) in this brown grassy area. Lupe spent two evenings and nights there. She loved it!  Photo looks NW.

The views were tremendous, but it was really windy up at Jackass Pass.  Lupe tolerated SPHP hanging around up there looking at the scenery only so long.  She was ready to get out of the wind.  It was time to go pitch Lupe’s “tiny house” (the tent).  Lupe and SPHP crossed over the pass, and headed down into the glorious Cirque of the Towers.

Lupe exploring the Cirque of the Towers in the Wind River Range, WY. Wolf’s Head (12,160 ft.) (L) and Pingora Peak (R). Photo looks NNW.
Wolf's Head (Center) and Pingora Peak (R). Cirque Lake is out of sight to the L of the base of Wolf's Head. Lupe would go up to see Cirque Lake the next day.
Wolf’s Head (Center) and Pingora Peak (R). Cirque Lake is out of sight to the L of the base of Wolf’s Head. Lupe would go up to see Cirque Lake the next day.
Lupe near Pingora Peak in the Cirque of the Towers.
Just as Squaretop Mountain is SPHP’s favorite at the NW end of the Wind River Range, Pingora Peak is SPHP’s favorite mountain at the SE end of the range. Both Mountains have distinctive shapes and are in outstanding settings.
Lizard Head Peak from the Cirque of the Towers.
Lizard Head Peak (12,842 ft.) from the Cirque of the Towers.  Photo looks NE.

Down in the Cirque of the Towers there was a little breeze, but nothing like the wind up at Jackass Pass.  Lupe and SPHP traversed much of the Cirque of the Towers to get to a grassy area close to the side valley up to Cirque Lake.  There SPHP pitched Lupe’s tiny house.

Years ago, SPHP had been to the Cirque of the Towers once before.  On that previous trip, which had been in early August, SPHP would have traded all of the food in the pack for a single can of bug spray.  The mosquitoes had been horrendous.  On this first day of September, though, there were none at all.  It was going to be a spectacular evening without any bugs.

Once the tiny house was up, Lupe and SPHP poked around exploring here and there near by, surrounded by magnificence in every direction.  Lupe was having a blast!  The evening couldn’t have been better or more fun, or could it?

Lupe by her tiny house in the Cirque of the Towers. Pingora Peak in the background.

When the light faded and the stars came out, SPHP went into the tiny house.  Lupe came into the tiny house, too, and laid down on her sleeping bag.  It had been a long day’s journey up to the Cirque of the Towers, and she was tired.  As she rested, though, it began to dawn on her – there wasn’t going to be any long trek back to the G6 this evening.  SPHP intended for her to stay right here in the Cirque of the Towers all night.

The American Dingo lifted her head up.  There was a sparkle in her eyes.  Lupe was gone.  The Wild Dingo of the Night was here.  It was going to be a long night!

War Bonnet Peak from Lupe’s Tiny House in the Cirque of the Towers.

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