Cirque of the Towers
Page Summary: The Cirque of the Towers is a mecca for climbers and backpackers, located in the Wind River Mountains in Wyoming.
The Cirque of the Towers
Cirque of the Towers, located ten miles into the Bridger Wilderness of the southern portion of the Wind River Mountain range, is a mecca for backpackers and climbers. It offers spectacular scenery for hikers and technical rock climbing opportunities for those who want to test their endurance and go vertical. The Cirque is a breathtaking beautiful semi-circle of fifteen, 12,000-foot craggy peaks which form a portion of the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains. The Divide approaches along the ridge line from the southeast, makes a turn to the southwest, and wraps nearly 3/4 of a full circle at the Cirque, before heading northwest on its way to Canada. The season to visit is spring to late summer. Spring brings fewer mosquitoes, but the risk of a snowstorm. Summer brings better weather, dryer conditions, and wildflowers, but more pesky bugs. To fully enjoy this experience, it is suggested visitors plan this as a minimum four-day trip to a week stay.
Backpackers and day hikers love the Cirque because of the dramatic landscape, with granite spire peaks and the high alpine wilderness setting. This is not a destination for the novice hiker. Visitors choosing this as their destination should be experienced hikers in good physical condition, acclimated to high elevations. Come prepared with proper footwear, clothing, and camping gear for a high elevation, rocky alpine experience. Summits in the Cirque are approximately 1,000 feet lower than the towering mountain peaks of the north. Gannet Peak far to the north, the highest peak in the Wind River Range, is 13,804 feet. In contrast, Lizards Head Peak in the Cirque is 12,842 feet in elevation. Be sure to bring current, quality hiking maps and compass. It is recommended that visitors coming here research the available guidebooks, maps, and web for other hiker accounts of their trips to the Cirque and heed their comments about camping location scarcity and preparedness.
Climbing in the Cirque of the Towers
The Cirque attracts technical rock climbers from around the world each year to challenge the sheer granite walls and spires. It is an internationally known climbing area with many quality routes. With names like Shark's Nose, Warbonnet, Warrior One, Wolf's Head, Pingora, and Lizard Head, the Cirque is a unique and special place. Imagine a circle of towering peaks, with a picturesque lake nestled in the bottom. Pingora is the central tower in the Cirque, ratings ranging from 5.2-5.11 on granite rock. While not the highest, it is perhaps the most eye-catching peak in the ring of towering spires. If you camp in the center of the Cirque, Pingora has one of the easiest approaches. The northeast face of Pingora is listed in the 50 classic climbs. Pingora now sports ten routes, of varying lengths and difficulties, all on good rock. The South Buttress has far exceeded the original (5.2) route in popularity. Warbonnet has a knife-like summit and sheer granite faces on three sides, rated 5.6-5.11a in difficulty. The approach is steep and bouldery, and snowy most of the year. The routes themselves are long and involve stiff walk-ins, though most are comfortably doable in a day. All involve multiple pitches (often 12 or more) of technical climbing, combined with long sections of exposed, sometimes unroped scrambling to reach the summits. It is important to begin early, and a wake-up time of 5AM is recommended by seasoned climbers. This allows a good look at the weather and plenty of time to summit and return to the tents before regular afternoon storm cycles lash the towering walls and faces with rain and lightning.
Access, Trails and Camping
Access from the western side of the Wind River Range is via Big Sandy Trailhead, located at 9100 feet approximately 1/2 mile from the Bridger Wilderness boundary. Despite its remote location, this is a high use trailhead. The nearest town is Boulder, a tiny community 44 miles from the trailhead offering lodging, fuel and snacks. The nearest town with substantial services for supplies is Pinedale, 54 miles away to the north. The road into Big Sandy is partly paved, then 27 miles of gravel and rough dirt. Big Sandy Campground has 12 sites and is located at 9,100-foot elevation. Commercial lodging is available close by the campground and trailhead at Big Sandy Lodge. When you begin your hike, be sure to register at the trailhead as you embark into the wilderness. If you go with an organized group, you will need to obtain a free permit from the Pinedale Ranger District office before you go.
Trail users should expect plenty of other company on the trail, including those on foot, horse pack strings, and those with llamas. To get to the Cirque from the western side, hikers must pass over the rugged trail over 10,800 foot Jackass Pass, which is not recommended for livestock. Portions of the trail involve scrambling over boulders and across rock slabs. This area is not recommended for novice hikers. The trail to the Cirque involves a 1500-foot elevation gain, then dropping down the other side into the Cirque. The trail has switchbacks and difficult portions. Be sure to have sturdy footwear and be in good physical condition for this trek. There is plenty of beautiful scenery and places to explore on this route. It is recommended that visitors plan this for a multi-day trip, a couple days for travel in and out and a couple for exploring.
Campsite locations are rather sparse near and in the Cirque, and privacy is minimal due to the alpine nature of the setting. Because of the fragile landscape, visitors are asked to be sensitive to the environment and practice minimal impact camping techniques. Within the Cirque itself, camping is prohibited within a quarter mile of Lonesome Lake. Campers should also be "bear aware" and implement proper food storage methods to avoid attracting black bears, which are plentiful in the area. A four-footed bear visitor is most likely to visit your camp and prowl through your belongings at night. Bear-proof portable food storage containers are available for loan at the Pinedale Ranger District for a small fee. Contact the local Ranger District office or Wyoming Game and Fish Department to get the most recent report of bear activity prior to going into the backcountry for your trip.
Cirque of the Towers Advice
One of the most common complaints for this area is about the mosquitoes, so make sure the mosquito netting on your tent is bug tight since this will be your refuge against the onslaught if you come in July and August. Mosquito repellant with DEET will help, but also bring clothing to cover your exposed body parts. In June and September, come prepared for unexpected snowstorms to camp and hike in on the trail.
The only nearby commercial facilities are Big Sandy Lodge, located near the trailhead, which offers cabins and meals with advanced reservation. The Lodge will also accept mail-ahead packages, but you must make advance arrangements and mail your supplies at least 3 weeks in advance to assure it arrives in time.
Keep in mind regulations for the Bridger Wilderness permit campfires only below timberline. Above timberline, campers must use gas stoves for cooking. The rule for refuse is "Pack out what you pack in". Do not bury garbage. What frost action does not bring garbage to the surface, animals will likely dig up and spread around. If you choose to bring your pet, you must be able to keep it under control, including barking, and away from other camps and hikers. Pets should be kept on a leash if you cannot keep it from chasing wildlife, and they must be properly vaccinated and have ID tags in case they get lost.
Be aware that this is very remote country, and potential dangers are part of the wilderness experience. You must be prepared to take care of yourself in case of an accident. Help is a long ways away, and you cannot count on your cell phone being able to have reception out to call for help. It is wise to ravel with at least one other person and log a travel plan with a friend on where you are going and when you will return. Know basic first aid and carry a first aid kit. The most common dangers in the high reaches of the Bridger Wilderness are high altitude sickness, hypothermia, and dehydration.
Comments From Visitors to the Cirque of the Towers
"The Wind River Range is the most amazing place I have backpacked in the USA."
"We loved the solitude, the scenery, and the rugged character of the place."
"The Cirque presents some of the best alpine granite rock climbing in the USA. Comparable to Yosemite."
More Information
For more information:
Pinedale Ranger District
Bridger-Teton National Forest
PO Box 220
29 East Fremont Lake Road
Pinedale, WY 82941
(307) 367-4326
