[Day 75] Cirque of the Towers

I awoke to my camp about half a mile south of Jackass Pass; the Cirque of the Towers was in view, and I was headed for the heart of the glacial carving. Pingora Peak towers over Lake Lonesome, the start of the North Popo Agie River, in the bottom of basin. Jackass Pass was a clean walk, and I dropped down into the basin lakeside. The Cirque is a stunning place. As one might imagine, it is a hub for climbers.

After the heart of the Cirque, I began my climb up to Texas Pass, some 1,500 feet of vertical over a little more than a mile. Snowfields covered the last half mile to the pass, but they were firm and supportive. The top of Texas Pass was melted out. The descent was steep. Loose pulverized and pebbly granite covered granite slaps and jutting rocks. The steepness and slippery ground covering were not a great combination, and I found myself rock hopping down to the long snowfield that cover most of the southside of Texas Pass. The snow, however, was firm and cupped, not particularly a surface to slide down (unless you are looking for third-degree burns). I threw on my spikes and kicked steps as best I could until I made it down to Texas Lake.

Texas Lake back to the CDT was slight downhill as the trail skirted lakes along Washakie Creek. I hit the CDT, took a brief break, and the mosquitos swarmed like a cloud. I rolled on.

The CDT flanks west of the highline of the Wind Rivers, rolling through more foothill-type terrain abundant with lakes, ponds, and wide stream crossings. The day rolled through the land in a green, semi-forested, lake-filled montony with occasional views east of the high country. This certainly made me wish I taken the high route, but it would have required quite a bit more planning. Undoubtedly, the Wind River High Route has been put on my to-do list. At the end of the day, I made the climb to Hats Pass where I pitched camped. Surprisingly, even with the exposure and wind, the mosquitos found me. I was planning to eat dinner away from my tent (as good practice is in bear country), but I sheltered from the bugs.

I found a small, but sturdy tree about 20 yards from my camp to tie my bear bag to. Tomorrow, I will head for Pinedale for resupply. I burned through my food supply this stretch, as I’ve been trying to carry the right amount instead of a couple extra days worth.

Signing off,

Zeppelin / fReaK (ON a leash)