For screen reader problems with this website, please call 888-610-2449 8 8 8 6 1 0 2 4 4 9 Standard carrier rates apply to texts. In the summer, expect the parking lot to be full, crowds on the trail, and crowds at Big Sandy Lake and the Cirque. Reading Time: 12 minutes This hike covered both the Cirque of the Towers and Temple Basin. Lucas Necessary. There are 12 sites with pit toilets, no water and no showers. No fees or permits are required to climb, hike, or camp in the area. Trailhead Start: Elkhart Park. The reason is because it is the easiest access point to the Cirque of the Towers, and Big Sandy Lake is an easy trek for day hikers, backpackers, and fishermen. It stays fairly close to the river most of the way. In the summer, expect the parking lot to be full, crowds on the trail, and crowds at Big S… It’s worth sharing the trail with more hikers, though, as the dramatic peaks surrounding the Big Sandy Lake Trail will not disappoint! The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from June until October. This is located in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. This route follows the Big Sandy River until you get to Big Sandy Lake where you can get great views of golden trout, beautiful wildflowers, and beautiful rock formations. Dogs and horses are also able to use this trail. There are alpine lakes, with glorious photography, fishing and world class rock climbing. You'll turn at Boulder, WY … The walk from Big Sandy Lake is well-traveled and gentle. Legal route to access AZ State Trust lands and the Honeybee trail network. 340 N. Cache / P.O. Bridger Teton National ForestPinedale Ranger District 29 East Fremont Lake Road PO Box 220 Pinedale, WY 82941 (307) 367-4326There is a Forest Service campground at the trailhead and a fairly large parking area. With more than 8 trails covering 28 miles you’re bound to … The Big Sandy Trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. From Boulder: Drive approximately 18.0 miles southeast on highway 353 on a paved road. Big Sandy Opening in the Bridger Wilderness of the Pinedale Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Directions from Pinedale: From the intersection of Pine Street (US 191) and North Tyler Ave (the Pinedale Tourism office is located on the northeast corner) in Pinedale, WY, drive south on Highway 191 for 11.7 miles and then turn left (east) on WY-353. Big Sandy Lake is beautiful. Stop by today! We were headed into Big Sandy Lake to spend two nights and climb up to Cirque of the Towers on our middle day. The reason is because it is the easiest access point to the Cirque of the Towers, and Big Sandy Lake is an easy trek for day hikers, backpackers, and fishermen. There is no try." Which do you think is a better place to visit? Please go to my trail blogging site (opens a new window) for a full description of the trip. Description From the trailhead, start hiking down slightly and then along an almost level path through forests and following the Big Sandy River. Big Sandy Big Sandy road is still posted as closed about 4 miles from the top as of Saturday. It is the only trail in the preserve that is open to horseback riding and bicycling as well as hiking. Big Sandy trailhead may be approached from the northwest starting at Boulder along US 191, from the south at Farson, close to the US 191/Hwy 28 junction, and from the southeast, beginning along Hwy 28 at South Pass, the distances being 44, … When you begin your hike, be sure to register at the trailhead as you embark into the wilderness. After 7.5 miles you will find another signed intersection (B) where you turn left (north) to Big Sandy. Note: E-Bikes ARE NOT allowed on the Big Wash trail. I get on the trail by 6:30 and rush to the beginning of Indian Trail Ridge. Slide Creek Falls Via Slide Lake Trail Box 220 Pinedale, WY 82941 307-367-4326 Fax: 307-367-5750 Peaks the are available through the Big Sandy Opening are: Wolf’s Head, Pingora, Warbonnet Peak, Pylon Peak, Mitchell Peak, Lizard Head, Overhanging Tower, Sharks Nose, Warrior I, Camels Hump, Skunk Knob, Bollinger Peak, Block Tower, Elizabeth Peak, and the Watchtower. Big Sandy Campground is located at the trailhead and has 12 sites. Big Sandy Trailhead - Popular hiking and backpacking trailhead located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River. Continue for another 12 miles and then make a left turn onto Lander Cutoff Road/County Road 132 (CR-132). Box 1888 Jackson,WY 83001 (307) 739-5500. Both parking areas provide vault toilets and the stock parking area has corrals for your convenience. Follow for CR-132 for 7 miles, then turn left onto Big Sandy Opening Road/Forest Service Road 370850(FS-370850) and drive for 9.7 miles and then make a right at the fork and Big Sandy Trailhead is on the left at the end of the road. Follow this road and signs for approximately 10.5 miles until reaching Big Sandy campground and trailhead (9080 ft).If coming from the south near Rock Springs, Wyoming: Drive north on U.S. 191 to the town of Farson. --Yoda, Images Camping is available for $8.00/night from June 20 to September 10. Upon reaching a junction, shortly after the pavement ends, bear left (southeast) for 2.9 miles. After approximately 6 miles, you will come to a signed intersection (A). Note: The Stock Trailhead is off to the left on 850B Stock Trailhead Road located just before the parking lot. The trailhead is on the Sunflower Road, 3 miles west of FM 1276 near Dallardsville. The Classic: Titcomb Basin. Big Sandy Trail Bicycle riding is permitted on all park roads, parking areas, and on the Big Sandy Trail. A few yards south of these markers, a modern bridge crosses the Big Sandy. Travel 32 miles on route 353, which is paved for the first 18 miles and is then unpaved, rough and has sections of washboard. Day 3: Big Bend Trailhead to Junction Creek: 22 miles + 2-mile detour. All Rights Reserved. If you have a little more oomph, start up Jackass Pass. The Sandy Ridge Full Tour is comprised of three different downhill runs and is an excellent way to see most of the trail system. "Do or do not. Eventually, you'll break out of the forest into a beautiful meadow where the river meanders lazily. Elevation profile of the Day 1 (turquoise) hike along the Cirque of the Towers Loop in the Wind River Range from the Big Sandy Trailhead to Lonesome Lake View from the Big Sandy Trailhead where you start off on the Cirque of the Towers backpacking Loop in the Wind River Range (credit: Daniel Weber) The Big Sandy Trail starts off with a ~3 mile hike along the Big Sandy River. Review: Cirque of the Towers vs Temple Basin Review: Cirque of the Towers vs Temple Basin. From the Town of Pinedale, Wyoming, head south on United States Highway 191 (US-191) for about 12 miles, then turn left on Wyoming State Highway 353 (WY-353) and drive approximately 15.5 miles where WY-353 transitions into Big Sandy-Elkhorn Road/Country Road 118. Turn left (east), following the sign to Big Sandy. There is not much of a vista, but it is a nice hike along the Big Sandy River. The drive can be a daunting task for the directionally impaired. Approximate travel details from the Town of Pinedale: 57 miles, 1 hour and 25 minutes. There is no easy way to get to the trailhead and many consider the drive to the main trailhead to be the first crux of a southern Wind Rivers expedition. Big Sandy Trailhead One of the more popular trailheads on the Pinedale Ranger District, Big Sandy Trailhead provides access the Bridger Wilderness, the Continental Divide Trail and the picturesque Cirque of The Towers. AllTrails / Alan Hall The whole trip is just over 10 miles out and back, and the lake makes for a great spot to take a rest for a picnic before heading back to the trailhead. Here you'll begin to see the large peaks that make up the area around Big Sandy Lake. There are several trail networks that can provide access into the Cirque from varying locations, so a map is an excellent resource and highly recommended to all visitors.