Gannett Peak, WY

Gannett Peak: Cold Springs approach

Dates: June – September
Start: Crowheart – Cold Springs, ~9,500’
End: Crowheart – Cold Springs
Distance and Gain: ~25 miles,
Altitude gain and loss: ~5,000’ each way
Trip Duration: We suggest 5 days, with an optional 6^th day for bad weather or rest.

Approach and Ascent Route:
The Gannet Peak guided climb with MAG begins in the tiny town of Crowheart, Wyoming (pop. 141) on the Wind River Reservation (Shoshone and Arapaho tribes). The only establishment is a small general store that has the basic grocery amenities as well as native crafts, fishing tackle, ceramics, etc. We begin our journey at this store in order to arrange permission and transport across the reservation.

DAY 1: Crowheart – Cold Springs – Scenic Pass – Echo Lake
Meet at 7:00 am with your bags fully packed and ready to go. After a gear check and food assortment we meet with our local Shoshone or Arapaho contacts to purchase permits and transport. We load up for a ride across the reservation on rugged dirt roads. This ride gains us roughly 1,000’ to our starting point at Cold Springs trailhead (~9500’). We bid farewell to our driver until the day we exit this remote corner of the Wind River Range. Our approach to Gannett begins by way of faint to non-existent trails that meander in and out of coniferous forests and high alpine meadows. At times the trail disappears entirely only to reappear, providing testament to the lack of foot traffic that takes this route. Elk herds are often seen as we approach the aptly named “Scenic Pass” at 11,400’, our high point for the day. Once at the pass we get commanding views of the Winds River Mountains and soon our first glimpse of our objective – Gannett Peak. From this point our hike is mostly a contoured traverse to arrive at camp one near Echo Lake. (6 miles, 2,000’ of gain)

Day Two: Echo Lake – Dinwoody Glacier
After a delicious breakfast we start our morning with a descent down the Ink Wells trail passing Echo Lake to join the Dinwoody Trail. As we drop down to Dinwoody we are rewarded with commanding views of Gannett Peaks north face and the post-card-worthy vibrant green meadows and aqua blue meandering waterways below (see photo). Once in the meadows, we follow the trail for several miles fording streams to make our way toward Gannett Peak. The meadows soon close out and we are back in the forest connecting insipient trails with stream crossings. We slowly gain altitude leaving the forests and tree line below in exchange for the alpine arena that contains Gannett Peak. Here we establish camp two amidst exposed granite walls, jutting alpine ridges, glacially polished streambeds, and alpine flowers on the border of the terminal moraine of Gannett Peak’s Dinwoody Glacier. (5 miles, 1,000’ of gain)

Day Three: Dinwoody Glacier – Gannett Peak – Dinwoody Glacier
An alpine start and hiking by headlamp allows us to arrive at the east face of Gannett Peak around sunrise. With clear skies this entire face glows a gorgeous orange (see photos). From here we see our ascent route up the infamous “Goose Neck” and the snow fields above. We rope up as the slopes steepen and travel as a rope team crossing the bergschrund then continue up steep snow slopes to gain the southeast/south ridge. We continue scrambling on exposed rock then eventually regain the snowy south ridge with magnificent exposure on both sides. From here it is a steady climb to to Gannett Peak’s lofty summit. This route involves technical snow climbing, a bergschrund crossing, rock scrambling over exposed terrain and steep snow travel as a rope team. Your guide will utilize ropes, pickets, rock protection, and belays whenever necessary. With good fitness, determination, and weather we arrive at the summit of Gannett Peak, which offers incredible views of the Wind River Range, The Tetons, and Granite Peak among other mountains. We enjoy the summit briefly prior to embarking on the other half of our climb, the descent. Back in camp we enjoy a well-earned meal and rest. (1–2 miles (depending camp location, 2,000’)

Day Four: Dinwoody Glacier – Echo Lake
No alpine start today! We enjoy a slow morning eagerly awaiting the rising sun to hit camp as we sip our hot morning beverages. Our descent trek back to the Echo Lake area follows the same route as our ascent. Typically we stop for a lunch in the meadows and a quick dip in the glacier run off for the brave. Once again we will camp near Echo Lake.

Day Five: Echo Lake – Cold Springs – Crowheart
We will rise with the sun then head up and over Scenic Pass taking one last glimpse back at Gannett Peak. We meet our native transport driver at the Cold Springs trailhead. We typically stash some water and snacks to enjoy on our slow ride back down to civilization and its fast pace.

Day Six: Optional Weather/Rest Day
If you have the time we recommend adding another day for weather, rest day, or to attempt other summits in the area. As Gannett more than 20 miles back many people choose to add on one more day in case of bad weather on the proposed summit day.

TRAVEL
One way or another you will need to drive to Crowheart, WY.  This is where you will meet your guides and leave your vehicle for the duration of our trip.  Flying in to Riverton, Lander, or Jackson Hole are the closest airports. Other larger airports include those in Bozeman and Billings MT or Denver, CO. Plan on having your own local transportation; it’s a good idea to reserve rental cars as early as possible.

Transport from Crowheart, WY (where you meet your guides) to the Cold Springs Trailhead is provided by Ramona Oneal of Crow Heart.

ACCOMMODATIONS
There are both camping and motel options for the nights before and after trips in near by Dubois and Riverton. There are numerous places to camp, in the Shoshone National Forest and the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Visit the National Forest Service websites to locate sites nearest to Crowheart.

AMENITIES
We will provide all meals other than drink mixes and lunches/snacks. Plan your own snacks ahead of time, and consider doubling that ration for our summit day. All supplies should be purchased before the trip as supplies are limited in Crowheart. If you have dietary restrictions, allergies or preferences please let us know well in advance of your trip’s starting date. Porters are available upon request please inquire for details. Cell phones have patchy if any coverage up high. Most drinking water needs to be treated, either with iodine pills or filters. We practice Leave No Trace camping, hiking, and climbing techniques to leave the Shoshone National Forest as pristine as we found it, and we expect the same from all those who climb with us.

BATHROOM in the WILDERNESS: LNT (Leave No Trace)
Bring at least two zip lock bags to pack out all toilet paper used. There is nothing more disgusting and or a quicker way to ruin a great wilderness experience than a pile of someone’s used toilet paper. Don’t be that person, pack it in and pack it out.

WEATHER & CLIMATE
Staying extremely well hydrated is key to one’s success with exertion at altitude. If possible plan to arrive a few days early, and do some hiking above 8-9000’ in many of the beautiful near by mountain ranges. If you have had problems at altitude before please let us know prior to your trip and consult with your physician before you come.

The weather is variable at best; nights are cool while the days can warm up substantially even in the alpine environment. Wind, sleet, rain, hail, even summer snow showers may be encountered; afternoon thunderstorms are fairly predictable.

EQUIPMENT
See our summer equipment list for your clothing and equipment lists. Gear should be light and in good repair, everything we bring will be on our backs. Minimize luxury items — which saves a pound on your back! The best luxury is a light pack!  Many climbers take the option to hire a porter. Porters can carry 20-30lbs each.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & CONDITIONING:
You should physically able to travel up to 8 miles a day with up to 2,500′ of gain for 5 days in a row with a 40-60 pound pack.  Basic snow travel skills are helpful but not necessary for an ascent of Gannett Peak. We can cover theses skill sets as needed during our trip. Participants will become familiar with rope handling, traveling as a rope team, and technical gear use.

It is worth training! Ask us about our training programs. The better shape you are in the more you will enjoy your time in the mountains. Gannett is a big peak that packs a big punch. Heavy packs, altitude, and the uneven terrain will fatigue us all. Adequate time with a pack and hiking for many hours is the ideal training for this trip.

EQUIPMENT: see our multi-day gear list

PORTERS and The Road to Success:
Be prepared to carry a pack between 40-60 lbs. depending on the weight of your personal gear Porters are strongly recommended and cost an additional $225/day. This allows participants to save energy on the way in and the way out so they can focus on the climb. A solid guide can show you the way, keep things safe, and make it fun. However there are several variables that can lead to failure for our climb. The most common are bad weather, inadequate training, and lack of fitness for the climb. To compensate for weather we can add on an extra “weather day”, for technical skills we offer our “Training Day”, and we offer porters to save you energy but the training is all on the participant. Success in the mountains begins with the first plan, and Gannett Peak is no exception.

Included:

• Experienced climbing guides
• tents
• group cookware, fuel, and all meals
• water purification
• all group and personal technical climbing gear (ropes, harnesses, crampons, helmets)

Not Included:

• Transport to and from Crowheart (location where you meet your guides)
• Everything on our “Equipment List”
• Day food (lunches/snacks)
• Transport and reservation fees for Wind River Reservation ($345/participant). This is paid the day we meet up directly to the reservation.
• Transport and reservation fees for your guide (divided among the group).

NOTE:  This is still the cheapest option as the trip from the reservation is 1-2 days shorter than other approaches, saving participants money for guide fees (~$370-$550/day), drive time, missed work, etc..