This year we're heading to the Wind River Range in Wyoming, starting from the Elkhart Park trailhead. The Winds are widely considered one of the best wilderness backpacking destinations in the US, and it's an area I've wanted us to visit for a long time.
We will base out of Kevin's house for the trip. From there, we drive to the trailhead at Elkhart Park.
We'll have three nights on the trail. The route takes us to Cook Lakes and then either Island Lake or Indian Basin. For a zero day option, we can hike into Titcomb Basin itself, which is supposed to be one of the highlights of the range. Fishing in the area is supposed to be excellent.
The crest to our immediate east throughout the trip will be the continental divide. Water from all the lakes and streams we'll encounter flows into the Pole Creek/Green River system, down into the Colorado River, and ultimately toward the Pacific Ocean / Gulf of California. Water east of the crest feeds into the Wind River, Bighorn River, Yellowstone River, Missouri River, Mississippi River, and ultimately the Gulf of Mexico / Atlantic Ocean. Another zero day option is to hike up to Indian Pass, which puts us on the divide, which would be really cool.
We'll also be right at the base of Fremont Peak, which at 13,743 ft is the third highest peak in Wyoming. Apparently the route from where we're camping is non-technical, so we could potentially climb it. The views into Titcomb Basin and the surrounding mountains are supposed to be incredible.
- Trailhead
- Elkhart Park, WY
- Dates
- Aug 12–16, 2026
- Days on Trail
- 4 days / 3 nights
- Route High
- ~11,100 ft (Wall-Island Pass)
- Distance
- 17.3 mi out · 28.5 mi RT
- Elev Range
- 9,340–11,100 ft
- Outbound Gain
- ~2,100 ft
Wind River summers throw late-afternoon T-storms with some regularity. Plan to be off exposed passes and basins by early afternoon — move early, camp early, and keep an eye on the sky over lunch. Pack liners are a good call.
This is the forecast for where we'll be camping (at elevation). Late-afternoon thunderstorms are typical in the Winds this time of year. Plan to be over exposed terrain by midday, and have a rain plan for camp.
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Should be excellent around Cook Lakes, Island Lake, and Indian Basin.