WYOMING • WIND RIVER RANGE • MOTIVATION

Wyoming's Wild Heart

Finding motivation among moose trails, mosquito swarms, and majestic peaks.

My Day Trips into the Wind Rivers

⚡ The Quick Scoop

The Vibe: Raw, rugged, and profoundly inspiring.

Must See: Square Top Mountain from the Upper Green River Lake inlet.

The Challenge: Brutal hikes, high altitude, and legendary mosquitoes.

Recommended Time: 1 full day for Green River Lakes; 1 very long day for the Cirque.

Shauna's Rating: 💎💎💎💎💎 (Worth Every Step)

I headed to the Wind Rivers for one main reason: my Dad. He always told me that Pinedale, Wyoming was one of his favorite places in the world, and I wanted to see the Green River Lakes and Square Top Mountain that he loved so much.

Honestly, I had never considered actually hiking deep into the Wind Rivers. In my mind, this rugged range was exclusively for hardcore, multi-day backpackers. When I first arrived in Pinedale, I just poked around at the overlooks, admiring the peaks from afar. But a chance encounter with a kind man at an overlook gave me the confidence I needed. He convinced me I could push further in and brave it as a day hiker.

What followed was a true adventure that was both deliriously beautiful and brutally difficult. It was a journey that demanded everything—bushwhacking in sandals, begging strangers for water, and battling fierce mountain winds—but gave back even more in breathtaking beauty and a profoundly renewed spirit.

Views from the Wind River Range

Part I: Off the Beaten Path

The Beautiful Bushwhack

The adventure starts long before the trailhead, with a 2-hour drive on a rough, washboard dirt road north from Pinedale.

I arrived early, and the moment I saw the sunrise hitting the water, I jumped out of my car so fast I completely forgot to verify my pack had all the essentials. I was wearing my hiking sandals and just started walking, mesmerized by the dawn. I noticed the main trail stayed high on a hill, far from the water and the flowers. I wanted to be closer, so I followed a moose trail along the shoreline.

📖 Traveler's Tale: Swampy Messes & Sandals

I spent the first mile bushwhacking along the shore in my sandals. It was brutal. I was navigating swampy messes and thick brush.

"I have to admit that a few times I wondered my level of stupidity here, for walking through some of the swampy messes in sandals was a recipe for a twisted ankle. But the shots were so very beautiful that I was loving soaking it in..."

Before I knew it, I was at the end of the lower lake heading towards the upper lakes, my feet already sore from the rough terrain.

Part II: The Payoff

The Pull of Square Top Mountain

When you reach the end of the lower lake, the magnetic pull of Square Top Mountain is too strong to ignore. The views along the river connecting the two lakes are simply phenomenal. But as I reached the Upper Green River Lake, the reality of my hasty morning departure set in.

⚠️ The Unprepared Hiker & The Trail Angels

I cursed myself. It was so beautiful, but I realized I had to turn back because I wasn't stocked up for a longer hike. I had been rationing my water, and the mosquitos were eating me alive.

Just then, I noticed two overnight backpackers. I swallowed my pride, embarrassed myself, and begged for help, letting them see just how unprepared I was.

Trail Angels: They were amazing! They happily filtered some water for me. Let me tell you, that water—filtered through ancient mountain rocks—had such a clear, refreshing flavor. It tasted like pure heaven. I drank a full bottle on the spot, and they generously filtered more so I had plenty for the day. They definitely laughed at my hiking sandals, but I still didn't regret my footwear choice (yet!), because it allowed me to navigate those amazing fields of shoreline flowers.

(Funny side note: A viewer on my channel watched the VR video of this hike and commented that they spotted a bear in the distance! I completely freaked out, scrubbing through my footage to see what he noticed... only to realize the "bear" was just my trail angels walking away! LOL!)

With newfound energy and a fresh spray of their mosquito repellent, they told me I must push forward and gave me a landmark river to look for at the top of the upper lake. (Though, note to self: next time I'm just bringing my paddleboard so I don't have to navigate that crazy shoreline!)

The Golden Nugget: Keep Going 🌟

Don't Stop Too Soon: Thanks to those backpackers, I kept going. I detoured down to where the river feeds the upper lake. They were right. The view of Square Top Mountain from the inlet was absolutely stunning and worth every sore step in my sandals.

Part III: The Ultimate Test

The Grueling Gauntlet to the Cirque

Pumped up from my success, I decided to tackle the legendary Cirque of the Towers (Big Sandy Trailhead) the very next day.

What I didn't realize until my Google Maps started feeding me hours of step-by-step directions was that Green River Lakes and Big Sandy are on the extreme top and bottom edges of the Wind River Range! I hadn't refilled my tank when driving through Pinedale, and I arrived at the remote trailhead with my gas much lower than expected. I took a deep breath, hoped for the best, and went to sleep in my car.

⚠️ The Dark Trail Scare

I woke up super early, determined to cover ground before sunrise. It was pitch black, but I threw on my headlamp and started down the trail.

I was only a quarter of a mile in when I heard the unmistakable, massive splash of a very large animal in the river right next to me! I completely freaked out. It was too dark to see what it was, so I turned around and speed-walked straight back to the parking lot!

I found two other hikers prepping their gear and kindly asked if I could start the trail with them so I'd have a buddy. They agreed, noting they were waiting for the sun to come up so they could actually see. (Smart folks... LOL!)

The first few miles are a slog, but things get truly beautiful at Sandy Lake. As I visited with overnight backpackers along the way, they kept looking at me in shock. A few asked, "Is that really your WHOLE backpack?"

I smiled and said, "Yes, I am seeing how far I can go in one day." Their encouragement fueled me to push further than I ever intended, climbing the brutal boulder fields toward the Cirque.

🏔️ Jackass Pass & The Monster's Mouth

I made it to the amazing views of the Cirque via the high mountain goat trail (aptly named Jackass Pass, which definitely makes you feel a little stupid for hiking it!).

I found a great spot to hang my 360 camera off the cliff edge, but looking down into the Cirque was incredibly intimidating. It literally felt like a gaping monster opening its mouth, ready to eat anyone daring to enter its presence.

The Turning Point: Even though I tried so hard to hold my camera steady, the 60 mph winds were whipping it around. To keep going, I had to heave myself up a 4-foot high step along a narrow ledge while the gusts threatened to tumble me off. Combine the terrifying wind, the view into the monster's mouth, and the fact that I am highly allergic to mosquitos (they were biting relentlessly and I was terrified my face would swell up!), I looked at the clock and made the tough call. It was turnaround time.

If I had a buddy to watch my back and get help if I fell, I might have pushed a tiny bit farther. But solo? The risks are just too nerve-wracking.

It was a good thing I turned around. Because of my brutal sandal hike the day before, I was absolutely dragging—almost crawling—those last few miles back to the car. And as the ultimate finale to this gauntlet? My car was running purely on fumes before I finally rolled into a gas station. ALWAYS FILL UP IN PINEDALE!

☁️ Snack Time Chats with Dad

My Pap was from Wyoming, so being here felt like walking through my own family history. I kept wishing my Dad was there with me so I could hear his stories about hiking or horseback riding into this very area.

Multiple times along the trail, I would stop to rest and enjoy a snack. In those quiet moments, I would look up at the sky and have a little chat with him. I told him how glad I was that he encouraged me to see this amazing place... and I definitely asked him if he had as hard of a time conquering these brutal distances and boulder fields as I was having! LOL. It made the solo journey feel a lot less lonely.

Part IV: Virtual Reality

Transport Yourself to the Winds

Feeling low and unmotivated? These immersive 360° experiences were made for you. I felt like nature came out in abundance to lift my spirits, and I want to share that with you. Put on your VR headset and use the sounds of nature to find the motivation to conquer your own "Square Top Mountain."

🔎 VR Treasure Hunt

Sounds of Nature: In the Green River Lakes video, close your eyes. Can you hear all the distinct sounds of nature I captured?
Winding River Views: Find the shot where you can see the river winding through the valley between the two lakes.
The Boulder Fields: In the Cirque video, can you appreciate the scale of the huge boulders you have to navigate to get to the final viewpoints?
A Moment of Peace: Look for the shot at the Upper Green River Lake where the water is calm, and the reflection of Square Top Mountain is nearly perfect.

Green River Lakes & Square Top Mountain

The Cirque of the Towers

Part V: Interactive Guide

✨ Ask the AI Mountain Ranger

Got a question about planning your own trip to the Wind River Range? Need advice on the dirt road from Pinedale or how to deal with the mosquitos? Ask our AI Ranger!

Part VI: Know Before You Go

Shauna's Survival Guide

⛽ Fuel Up in Pinedale: This is critical! Green River Lakes is 2 hours north on a bumpy dirt road. Big Sandy is hours away in the other direction. If you don't fill up in Pinedale in between, you will be sweating over your gas gauge like I did!
🎒 Check Your Pack: Don't let a pretty sunrise distract you. Verify you have a water filter, a headlamp, proper shoes, and heavy mosquito repellent before you leave your car.
🥾 Green River Strategy: For the best views, you have to get off the main trail. Be prepared for some bushwhacking along the lower lake's shore.
🐻 Stay Safe: The wildlife (moose, bears) is very active at dawn and dusk. Be aware of your surroundings, carry bear spray, and if it's dark... use the buddy system!

The Pride of the Day Hiker

The Wind Rivers will make you work for it. This is not an easy destination. The drives are long, the hikes are tough, and the mosquitos are relentless. Doing these two massive hikes back-to-back without a recoup day was brutally hard, especially for someone who admits they aren't in "terrific shape."

But as I drove away, I was overwhelmed with a sense of pride. I never planned on trying to conquer the deep, inner sanctuaries of the Wind Rivers. I thought it was only for the hardcore backpackers. Yet, I did it. I pushed my limits, I asked for help when I needed it, and I conquered it as a day hiker.

If you're looking for a challenge that will test your grit and give back tenfold in beauty and motivation, the Winds are calling. (And Dad, you were right. You definitely knew the good stuff.)

Happy Hiking Friends!
Shauna from VRGetaway