Backpacking Wyoming’s Wind River Range (Wyoming Road Trip Pt I)
Wyoming – it’s more than a cowboy state.
Filled with dense forests, vast valleys, enormous lakes, rugged mountains, steep canyons, lofty hills, and so much more, there are breathtaking views waiting beyond every turn.
In July of 2022, we set out to explore this diverse region. Like most places we visit, it’s hard to put our feelings into words. As we took time to reflect, we’ve considered that maybe our intense feelings from this trip stem from months of not being on the road or maybe it’s that we are more experienced, making it more enjoyable. Maybe it’s the region and what it delivered.
Whatever the reason, what we experienced in Wyoming was captivating.
Read on to hear our stories, experiences, lessons learned, and more.
Lowering tire pressures to make the drive in a little more enjoyable on the stock F-350 suspension. Airing down can also help reduce degradation of dirt and gravel roads when compared to fully inflated tires.
Day 1
A lot of driving, a cool camp spot, and a ton of mosquitos
If you know us personally, you know that Wyoming is far from home.
Day one consisted mostly of the cross-country trek from Omaha through western Nebraska and up into Wyoming where we rolling into camp just before sunset.
Wyoming welcomed us with stunning views from the car window earlier that day, just after crossing over the state line from the east. Had you asked us in the moment, we would have excitedly told you that the drive in was stunning and our many videos are proof of our awe. If you ask us now, we will tell you that the views across the state were beautiful but nothing compared to what was waiting on the other side.
A perfect example of how quickly your perception of a place or an experience can change right along with the change in landscape.
That evening was fairly quiet for us – aside from the mosquitos!
We had read about the bugs but no amount of preparation could have prepared us. We set up camp, showered as quickly as possible to avoid being eaten alive, then hopped inside to make dinner and called it a night. The sunset you see below would only be enjoyed for a brief moment outside before admiring the final glow from the other side of the window.
Day 2
First wildlife encounter, backpacking, a huge thunderstorm, and what we thought to be a wildfire
Our mornings on the road start in one of two ways.
One – we enjoy coffee with a beautiful view followed by breakfast while we casually pack up camp and prepare for our day’s plans.
Two – we wake up early, get dressed in a rush, quickly pack up camp, and get on with the day before coffee or breakfast ever hits our stomachs.
This morning we were fortunate enough to enjoy scenario one but with an unexpected guest.
A moose!
It ran straight through camp just a few yards away from our door. It didn’t have plans to stick around and it was gone as quickly as it appeared. But still, a great start to our trip.
We packed up camp – this time packing our packs in the process. We were backpacking!
We had been working to gather the essential backpacking gear for the greater part of the year at this point. We finally had the chance to put it all to the test.
Trip plans included 3 days and 2 nights of backpacking, completing a 30 mile loop, and averaging 10 miles per day.
While we’re both experienced day hikers, and Seth even completing a 25 mile hike in a single day previously, we weren’t too worried about the mileage on this trip. Things don’t always go as planned however, and backpacking with a 30lb pack is an entirely different ballgame.
We set out on the trek which was absolutely stunning. “One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve ever been on.” – Seth
We also spent the night at one of the most picturesque lakes either of us have ever seen, but *spoiler alert* we did not complete the 30 mile loop nor did we spend 3 days in the backcountry.
Instead, we hiked in 7 miles only to be presented with a few realities. One, backpacking is a lot harder than either of us anticipated. Two, 30 miles was a bit ambitious for first-timers. And three, we were breaking a cardinal rule by putting in a lot of mileage with new gear, and, even though we did some testing of our gear at home, and hoped we could defy the odds, we were not invincible.
Seth was not a fan of us his pack and the way it distributed the weight of the gear, digging into his hips and causing pretty significant pain and wear. His shoe choice, while comfortable and well broken in on numerous other hikes, were not suitable for the added weight we would be carrying.
At mile 7, we called it a day and decided to set up camp near a stunning lake, just in time for the afternoon thunderstorm to roll in. We were already exhausted, but now, we were soaked and exhausted. We spent the afternoon hanging out in the tent away from the thunder, lightning, rain, and HAIL.
We made dinner during a window of no rain (dehydrated chili that was not good), dried out our gear as best we could (which was not much), Seth rinsed off in the lake (that was freezing cold), and we went to sleep (or at least we tried).
It was cold, wet, and our first time sleeping in the backcountry. Not to mention, we spotted smoke across the lake that we thought might have been the start of a wildfire from a lightning strike.
Turns out sleeping in the backcountry takes some getting used to and the smoke was just somebody’s campfire.
We’d like to clarify that we aren’t describing a horrible trip. Overall, it was a great experience and one we don’t regret for one second. But, we are giving our honest feelings in those moments.
The hike was stunning and we consider it to be one of the best we’ve ever done. The breathtaking views from the meadow with a perfect backdrop of the mountains was the cherry on top. We took our time here to really take it in.
Day 3
More hiking, a cooler camp spot, and more wildlife
Even though we didn’t sleep much of our first night backpacking, we enjoyed coffee and breakfast with a perfect view of the lake the next morning.
At this point we had both joked about calling it quits and hiking out instead of continuing on as originally planned. The joke quickly turned into a silent agreement. We took our time with breakfast and packing before making the 7-mile trek back to the trailhead.
We both agree that it was the right decision. Had we pushed ourselves to complete the loop, we wouldn’t have enjoyed the rest of our trip nearly as much as we did. It’s important to know your limits and this was ours.
We found a camp spot not far from the hike. We got lucky with this one, settling on a hill next to a river overlooking the valley. It was stunning and just what we needed that evening.
We spent most of that night spotting wildlife. Just off in the distance we could see a handful of deer and as night rolled in, so did a moose. It stuck around for a while grazing on the grass and we stuck around for a while watching it from the hill and then our “bedroom” window.
To summarize part one of this trip, approach new hobbies or activities with an open mind and don’t expect them to go flawlessly the first time out. Learn from the things that went wrong and adjust for the next go ‘round. We’ve personally swapped out several pieces of gear and lightened up our kit for the next time out and can’t wait to go backpacking again.
Check out Part Two of our trip where we explore more of the Wind River Range and enjoy even more stunning views!
That’s it for now!
Catch ya in the next one.
Taylor and Seth
Hi, we’re Seth and Taylor and we love sharing all things related to outdoor adventure!
We love anything that gets us outside — hiking, biking, backpack, road tripping, and so much more! We love sharing our adventures and hope it helps YOU get out to see more.
Newsletter:
Be the first to know when we release something new and sign up for our Newsletter!
Other Reads:
This photo journal invites you to explore the vibrant heart of San Francisco, a city renowned for its iconic landmarks, diverse neighborhoods, and breathtaking vistas. From the majestic Golden Gate Bridge to the charming streets of Chinatown, each image captures the essence of a city that is both timeless and ever-evolving. As you wander through these images, let the unique character and beauty of San Francisco unfold before your eyes, offering a glimpse into the spirit and stories that make this city truly unforgettable.