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drmevans

Island Lake, deep in the Wind River mountains of Wyoming [OC] [3831 × 2292]

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drmevans

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• Edited

Fun fact: Fremont Peak (13,745 ft) in the immediate background was at first thought to be the highest mountain in the United States. Now its "only" the third highest in Wyoming, and barely known compared to the Grand Teton.

Its summit was also the point where the solar eclipse crossed the continental divide.

Edit: The summit panorama from Fremont Peak

AMediocreVillain

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I can hear the mosquitos now...

Medicinebow

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Love the Wind River Range, but man I have never ever had a more terrible experience with mosquitoes in my life. We were slathering 100% DEET all over our faces and still have them assaulting. Swing your arms through the air and probably hit 50 in one swing. The solace in the tent was shaken as you could hear the collective of their buzzing laying cozy in your bag. Beautiful area, heck of a lot of blood suckers.

drmevans

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The trick to the mosquitoes is to camp above 10,000 ft elevation, where they suddenly seem to stop. Titcomb basin has tons because its around 9800, but Indian Basin at 10,400 ft didn't have any.

Dragging your gear up one of those huge smooth rocks is worth it.

Medicinebow

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I hear ya. The first trip was on a big route we planned through the Winds, Tetons, Yellowstone, Beartooth, then Wind Cave, NP. It was in August and the temp was pretty warm and I didn't even have a headnet. Needless to say the next time I was there I came prepared.

[deleted]

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Comment deleted by user

r0botdevil

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Not here. I camped at Lonesome Lake (very close to this spot) late last August, and the mosquitoes were still unbelievably bad.

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EveningBrownie

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Sshhhh... keep the Wind Rivers a secret.

r0botdevil

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I was there the same time as OP. Probably saw around a hundred other people in two days on the trail. Definitely not a secret anymore.

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EclecticallyMe

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Highly recommend, this place is incredibly peaceful.

canudoa

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shhhhhh don't tell anyone about the wwinds!

fdemmer

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needs more koala...

drmevans

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Here's the full uncropped photo

fdemmer

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perfect! 😁

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petsydaisy

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Man I missed Wyoming on my cross country road trip and I sorely regret it now.

Bruce_Banner621

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This is great OC. Thanks for posting.

M4her

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Happy little trees...

Amnial556

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So if one was planning a road trip to here where would you suggest set up camp if we were gonna be there a few days?

HaryNutz

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Dubois

ledooc

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This lake is about thirteen miles or so from the nearest trailhead, so you have to hike in quite a ways (which is true for much of the wind river range). Most of the best scenery in the winds isn’t accessible from the road. But the Tetons are a few hours and you can drive to the top of shadow mountain to camp for one of the best Mountain Views in the world imo.