Wind River Mountains, Popo Agie Wilderness, WY
DatesJul 18th - Jul 24th 2010 Service ProjectTrail tread maintenance, rock moving Free DaysPeak-bagging, fishing, day hiking, photography, wildlife viewing, swimming AccommodationsBackpack Camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 6 mile backpack at altitude. Trail maintenance, rock moving. Pack animal supported LeadersJohn McLean Equipment |
The Popo Agie (pronounced "po-po-zsha") in western Wyoming is one of the loveliest pieces of land in the country. Rich in wildlife, jagged peaks and vast forests, this portion of the Shoshone National Forest leaves visitors breathless, and not just due to the high elevations! Designated as Wilderness by Congress in 1984, the Popo Agie totals almost 102,000 acres. The Popo Agie Wilderness is surrounded by large tracks of wild lands including the Wind River Indian Reservation on the north, the Bridger Wilderness to the west and the Fitzpatrick Wilderness to the northwest. The western boundary is the Continental Divide boasting Wind River Peak, at 13,255' the highest point in the area. More than 20 other summits spanning the divide rise above 12,000'. Many alpine and subalpine lakes and ponds, filled with trout, send their waters down streams and over waterfalls to the Middle Fork and North Fork of the Popo Agie River and the South Fork of the Little Wind River. This rough land features high peaks, deep canyons, sheer granite walls, cirque basins, talus slopes and glacial snowfields along its eastern side. The area encompasses about 25 miles of the southern Wind River Mountain Range, with forests of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir, Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir. Our service project is primarily conducting trail tread reconstruction, building retaining walls and check steps, as well as conducting general trail maintenance including brushing and installation of drainage structures. We'll backpack 6 miles with 600' elevation gain up the Pinto Park Trail to our base camp. The Forest Service will provide pack support for group food, commissary and tools. On our day off we can day hike to further explore this vividly rich area; fishing, swimming, taking photos or just relaxing in our beautiful alpine wilderness setting where mountain men once traversed.
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