Backpack: Big Sandy to Elkhart Park via Fremont and Highline Trails
Segment 10: Island Lake to Elkhart Park

Distance: 12.1 miles (one way)

Bridger Wilderness, Bridger-Teton National Forest, near Big Sandy in Wyoming's Wind River Range

Mount Helen, Fremont Peak and Jackson Peak

Mount Helen, Fremont Peak and Jackson Peak

 

  • Distance: 12.1 miles
  • Elevation: 10,410-ft. at Island Lake
    10,640-ft. at High point above Island Lake
    10,490-ft. at Stream crossing
    10,625-ft. at Top of hill above Little Seneca Lake
    10,410-ft. at Junction Highline/Continental Divide Trails
    10,375-ft. at High point above Seneca Lake
    9,995-ft. at Low point west of Seneca Lake
    10,300-ft. at Junction Pole creek Trail
    10,350-ft. at Photographers Point
    10,090-ft. at Junction Miller Lake Trail
    9,340-ft. at Elkhart Park Trailhead
    Note: There is a lot of up and down along this trail. Based on GPS measurements, the trail gains almost 1,600-ft and loses over 2,600-ft. on its way to Elkhart Park
  • Difficulty: strenuous
  • Basecamp: Elkhart Park / Big Sandy
  • Region: Wyoming's Wind River Range

 

Island Lake to Elkhart Park Description

From the unmarked junction above Island Lake’s (10,346-ft.) eastern shore, the Indian Pass trail climbs steeply though meadows and then rocky slopes to a viewpoint at 0.2 miles. At the overlook turn around for a memorable panorama. Here the high peaks towering above Titcomb and Indian Basins form a breathtaking backdrop for Island Lake. The jagged summits of Twin Peaks (13,185-ft.), Mt. Woodrow Wilson (13,502-ft.), the Sphinx (13,258-ft.), Bob’s Tower (13,040-ft.) and Miriam Peak (13,080-ft.) rise above the head of Titcomb Basin. Mount Helen (13,620-ft.), Mount Sacagawea (13, 569-ft.) and Fremont Peak (13,745-ft.) rim the basin’s eastern wall while American Legion Peak (13,205-ft.), the Titcomb Needles and Peak 12450, to name a few, form the western wall. Jackson Peak (13,517-ft.) and Ellingwood Peak (13,052-ft.), along with a number of unnamed summits, tower above Indian Basin to the northeast. Closer at hand Island Lake is set amid granite knolls with Elephant Head Peak rising to the east.

Beyond the viewpoint the grade eases a bit as the trail climbs to a saddle (10,640-ft.) on the ridge above Island Lake at 0.3 miles. As you climb you gradually lose the great views of Island Lake.

Descend a draw down the west side of the ridge on easy to moderate grades, passing a pretty pond at 0.5 miles where the peaks to the northwest offer a lovely backdrop. At the bottom of the draw the path climbs over a low rise and then crosses a creek at 0.9 miles. Past the creek traverse a small basin with views of Mount Helen, Mount Sacagawea and Fremont Peak towering above Titcomb Basin to the north/northeast.

The trail now climbs a second ridge on moderately steep grades, reaching the junction with the Continental Divide/Highline trails at 1.0 mile. The junction marks the end of the Indian Pass Trail. Here the northbound Continental Divide/Highline trails branching right (northwest), heading toward Fremont Crossing and the Jean Lakes. We continue straight ahead (uphill) toward Little Seneca Lake on the southbound Continental Divide/Highline trails.

At the top of the ridge turn around for views of Fremont Peak and Jackson Peak (13,517-ft.). Descend the hill down a rocky draw on steep switchbacks to the junction with the Seneca Lake Trail at 1.4 miles. Here the south bound Highline/Continental Divide trails branch left (southeast), climbing to Lester Pass. We turn right (northwest) on the Seneca Lake Trail.

Follow the Seneca Lake trail as it descend rocky slopes on easy grades above Little Seneca Lake’s northeastern shore and then curves left (south) around the head of the lake. The trail now travels south, skirting the lake’s western shoreline to the foot of the lake at 1.9 miles. Beyond the lake the trail heads southwest as it descends on easy grades to the head of Seneca Lake at 2.4 miles. Along the way pass the junction with the trail to Lost Lake branching right (north). There are well-used campsites around the head of Seneca Lake as well as in the area between Seneca and Little Seneca Lakes.

Follow the trail as it heads south on an undulating course along the west side of Seneca Lake. At 3.0 miles the trail climbs 100-ft. to an overlook above Seneca Lake with fine views of Fremont and Jackson Peaks rising to the north. Mount Lester (12,342-ft.) towers above the lake to the northeast.

From the overlook the trail curves to the right (west) and descends a wooded hillside to a pond at 3.8 miles, losing over 400-ft. in 0.75 miles. Here the trail turns left (south) and climbs a rocky hillside.

Soon the grade eases as the path ascends along a west side of a meadow, skirting the shore of a small pond along the way. Beyond the meadow the trail climbs switchbacks to the top of wooded saddle on a ridge.

Cross the saddle and drops down a meadow clad draw on the south side of the ridge, skirting a small pond along the way. Beyond the meadow the path descends a timbered hillside on steep switchbacks to Seneca Lake’s outlet stream, gushing down a rocky gully at 4.5 miles. Either rock-hop or wade the creek, depending on the time of year.

Climb out of the gully and follow the undulating path that wanders between small ponds and knolls as it ascends on gentle grades to the northwestern shore of Hobbs Lake at 4.9 miles. The pretty lake is ringed by small meadows and rocky knolls clad with scattered trees. Peak 11,550 rises to the northeast. Good campsites are found above the lake’s southwestern and eastern shores.

Follow the trail as it heads south along the lake’s western shore. At 5.2 miles the trail curves to the right (west) away from the lake. Soon the path curves to the left (southwest) and descends a rocky hill along the west side of a draw. Below views open to a small pond set at the north end of a meadow.

Reach the meadows at 5.6 miles where the trail crosses a stream to the south of the pond and traverses the meadow. At the south end of the meadow the path climbs switchbacks to the top of the wooded rise and then descends the hillside to a crossing of Barbara Lake’s outlet stream.

Reach the north end of Barbara Lake at 6.1 miles. Follow the trail as it skirts the lake’s western shore, reaching the south end of the lake at 6.3 miles. As you travel along the lake turn around for views of the high peaks rising to the north/northwest. Campsites are located along the south and east sides of the lake.

Beyond the lake, the path climbs a wooded hillside, reaching a junction with the Pole Creek trail at 6.5 miles. The junction marks the end of the Seneca Lake Trail. The Pole Creek trail to the left (south) drops down to Eklund Lake and then heads east toward the Pole Creek Lakes. We bear right (west) on the Pole Creek trail headed toward the Elkhart Park trailhead.

Past the junction the Pole Creek trail climbs over two low rises separated by a meadow. In the meadow pass the junction with the Sweeny Creek trail branching left (south) at 6.8 miles. At 7.2 miles the trail curves to the right (northwest) and ascends to Photographer’s Point at 7.5 miles. From the aptly named viewpoint a stunning panorama of high peaks fills the skyline to the north. Visible summits towering above the area between Island Lake and the upper Fremont Creek Valley include Bow Mountain, American Legion Peak, Mt. Woodrow Wilson, Mount Helen, Mount Sacagawea, Fremont Peak and Jackson Peak. Below the viewpoint is the deep canyon carved by Fremont Creek. Look carefully and you will see the south end of Gorge Lake on the canyon floor. In the mid-distance are a sea of granite knobs and low peaks.

At Photographer’s Point the trail turns left (south), passes a few ponds nestled in boggy meadows and then starts descending on moderate grades through forests and small meadows set amid rock outcroppings and granite knobs. At 8.0 miles the path turns to the right (southwest) and soon reaches a pretty meadow with nice views to the north of Mount Helen, Mount Sacagawea and Fremont Peak.

Cross the meadow and then continue the descent through trees to the meadows of Miller Park where the grade abates as the trail curves to the right (southwest), passing the junction with the Miller Lake trail at 8.8 miles. From the park enjoy distant views of the high peaks in the northern portion of the Wind River Range.

At 9.0 miles the trail re-enter the trees and soon resumes its descent on easy grades. At 9.4 miles the trail curves to the left (south), passing the boundary of the Bridger Wilderness at 9.8 miles. Past the wilderness boundary the descent steepens as the trail drops through spruce-pine forest on moderate grades.

At 10.4 miles the trail curves to the right (northwest). As you descend the grade varies from moderate to easy. You are not on the home stretch, traveling along the southwest side of the Faler Creek Valley. Soon occasional views open to the willow-choked meadows along the valley floor. Twice I have seen Moose grazing among the willows in the afternoon.

At 11.9 miles the trail turns to the south and descends on easy grade to the Elkhart Park trailhead at 12.1 miles. Here you will find an outhouse, information kiosk and large car park. The Trails End Campground is located a short distance to the northwest. (When exiting the car park, turn right to reach the campground. Otherwise turn left to reach Pinedale, WY.)

Return to Segment 9: Little Seneca Lake to Island Lake

Go Back to Introduction: Big Sandy to Elkhart Park via Fremont and Highline Trails

Elevation Profile

Elevation Profile Island Lake to Elkhart Park

Backpack Segments

 

Driving Directions to Elkhart Park Trailhead

Big Sandy Trailhead: This popular trailhead is located in the southern Wind River Range next to the Big Sandy River.

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. After 15.5 miles you will notice signs referring to the road as the Big Sandy-Elkhorn Road and after 18 miles the paved road will change to a good packed dirt/gravel surface.

Shortly after the pavement ends go straight through a junction, and drive south crossing the Big Sandy River (Buckskin Crossing). Follow the road for a total of 27.3 miles. Shortly after crossing the Big Sandy River you will reach a junction with the Lander Cutoff Road (the next junction). Turn left on the Lander Cutoff Road. There is a wood sign at the intersection pointing toward the Big Sandy trailhead.

Drive 7.0 miles on the Lander Cutoff Road and then turn left on the Big Sandy Opening Road. Here you will see a sign for the Big Sandy Campground and trailhead. The road now deteriorates and narrows. Blind corners and lush foliage along the road make it hard to see ahead. Drive carefully, following the rocky, rutted road for 9.8 miles to a "Y" intersection. Bear right at the intersection to continue along the Big Sandy Opening Road (Forest Service Road 850). (The road branching to the left leads to the Big Sandy Lodge and Mud Lake.) Follow the road for 0.8 miles to the trailhead parking area, equipped with an outhouse.

Allow an hour and a half to reach the trailhead from Pinedale. The parking area is too small for the number of backpackers visiting the area during the height of the summer. If the parking area is full, find a safe place to park off the access road.

I recommend a high clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead. Passenger cars can make it OK if driven carefully. Check at the Pinedale ranger station before starting your trip to learn about current road and trail conditions. The Ranger Station is located to the east of the Ridleys Grocery Store on US 191 (Pine Street in Pinedale). The entrance to the ranger station is on the Fremont Lake Road. (You can also reach the parking area for the ranger station by driving east through the Ridley’s parking lot.)

This trailhead is remote, so be sure to have a full tank of gas. The dirt road become slippery when wet. The campground at the parking area is tiny, with only 4 sites. I would not plan on camping at the trailhead before starting your backpack.

Elkhart Park Trailhead: 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 east on Highway 191 (East Pine Street) for 0.3 miles and bear left onto Fremont Lake Road. Follow this road for 14.3 miles and turn right into the large parking area for the Elkhart Park/Pole Creek Trailhead. After the first 3.0 miles the road will turn into Skyline Drive/Forest Service Road 370740. The trailhead is located at the northeast end of the parking lot between the outhouse and the trailhead kiosk. It should take about 25 minutes to drive the trailhead. The last section of the road has some holes and uneven spots.

 

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