Hailey Pass Loop - The Winds

A six day backpacking trip starting at the Big Sandy Trail Head, hiking the Highline Trail and then off trail up East Fork River. Then continuing off trail up to the Pyramid Trail and taking Hailey Pass Trail over the pass and dropping down to Grave Lake. From Grave Lake we hike the Bear Ears Trail and Washakie Trail over Washakie Pass and down to Dad's Lake. On our last day we take the CDT back to the Big Sandy Trail Head.
David Kanus joins me on this trip and his KZbin channel is:
/ defcoord
Thanks for watching!
Backpacking With Bryan DeLay webpage: bryandelay.com/...
• Hailey Pass Loop - The...

[@defcoord]

Another, "Oh Wow!" video Bryan! Thanks so much for allowing Buddy and I to tag along... I learn something new from you on every trip and thank you for that as well! Hope you're having a great fall season!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you so much David! It was a fantastic trip. Fall has been great in east Tennessee and hopefully great in Texas too.

[@tangenttrails]

Ah the beautiful Winds! Looked as though y’all had a wonderful time and it was good to see Coach and Buddy again.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Tangent Trails! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@richbrindley8944]

Another wonderful hike. I do enjoy your videos Brian especially all the camping sites that you choose. Thank You for all the hardwork with editing etc. Really appreciate the views.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Rich! Glad you enjoy my videos.

[@copycatcarlton]

Great video Bryan, enjoyed it very much! Thanks!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Copycat Carlton!

[@LifeIsBetterByTheBrook]

Great video! Every time I watch one of your videos from the Winds, I long to go. I just need to convince my hubby that the drive is worth it. Maybe next year I can convince him to go.

[@johnnyrussell8729]

Unreal country. Glad you enjoyed it all including the wind.

[@BryanDeLay]

The scenery is stunning in the Winds. It was a great trip even with the wind.

[@ChrisfromFL]

Both of your Wind River videos were very enjoyable. Again, a big Thanks for sharing your trip with us!

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed both videos Chris! And thank you for watching.

[@CarlMonin]

Looks like another great Winds trip, Bryan. And you got to enjoy it with Coach and Buddy. All adds up to what had to be a great one. Thanks for posting.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Carl! It was a great trip and I always enjoy Coach's and Buddy's company.

[@gunnyd2008]

As always thanks for taking us along, good to see coach..

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Gunny D! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@BackpackingWithJason]

Love that scenery around the lake!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Absolutely!

[@larrycarroll7371]

What a beautiful landscape. Thanks for catching such views and sharing them. Thanks and congratulations on another successful adventure.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Larry Carroll! Really glad you enjoyed the video.

[@CitaLoo]

Thank You for taking me along!

[@BryanDeLay]

Glad you enjoyed the video RC!

[@vonniek347]

Thank you for sharing your adventures! So beautiful.

[@BryanDeLay]

Your welcome Vonnie K. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@brookeshaffer4377]

Excellent video Bryan.Just love the Winds.Magical place🌟

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Brooke! The Winds has some amazing scenery.

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

Thanks Bryan, for posting this video of your trip. Enjoyed it very much.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks for watching BlackOak PM and glad you enjoyed the video.

[@NicoleHikesalot]

that was simply amazing, some really strong winds for you on this hike but man, those views...gorgeous. I love the last campsite on day 5 and the one where you were behind that huge boulder to be protected from the wind.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Nicole! It's an fantastic loop with some amazing scenery. The wind was something else. After about three days it starts to wear on you. We were very lucky to find the large boulder to camp next to.

[@toddgrant7190]

Of all the videos of your I have seen, this is the one I believe you put together the best. I appreciate your addition of the maps showing the trails your took (although I have my own set of the Earthwalk Press maps of the Winds). Again, thank kind you for posting this.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Todd! Really glad you enjoyed the video.

[@OneEyeHikes]

Really nice route! Good to see the two of you back in the Winds!

[@BryanDeLay]

It's a beautiful loop Timothy and we had a great time.

[@lorinett9205]

Really enjoy your videos in the Wind River Range, which is my favorite place. This year will be my fifth year backpacking. Always visit there at the end of August into September. Thanks for sharing your adventures!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you very much Lori! The Winds are fantastic and I've been backpacking there each August for the last eight years.

[@johnbarns548]

Great looking hike we are looking forward to trying a few your hikes

[@BryanDeLay]

This is a great loop! Hope you get to do some hikes in the Winds.

[@whshome]

Great video and that is certainly a good loop to backpack. You just crossed our route at Mae's Lake where we spent two nights camped just to the left as you came from the East Fork to Makes Lake and the Hailey Pass Trail (as viewing you walking in the video). And of course from Dads Lake on where we also camped. You definitively had a lot better air than we did, much less smoke. Maybe colder for us, we had two under 25 degrees nights, but days were fine, sunny and wind wasn't bad.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Will, it is a great loop. Yes Mae's Lake was just in front of us as we reached the Pyramid Trail coming up from East Fork River. The wind certainly cleared out all of the smoke for us.

[@mark-ib7sz]

Thank you again for another great video!!!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Mark! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@jeremiahr4271]

Great video. I enjoy watching you, Coach, Catherine and Joey from My own Frontier. I haven't seen Joey for sometime hope he's well. I look forward to 2022 lineup.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Jerimiah! I'm looking forward to creating more videos in 2022.

[@tomjones2202]

Omg I can't believe you've been to many places I've been.. the Cohutta in Georgia and here in the Winds. Grave Lake and on up to the lakes above tree line are amazing! We did 7 or 8 days in the Winds. That was back in 1988 and gosh it seems like only yesterday! We took 3 students and one dad. :)We started at Moccasin or Mary's Lake,,,I can't remember. Hiked on Bears Ear Trail.. went thru Onion Meadow. Fished in Gaylord Lake, Valentine lake, and of course Grave Lake. Ended the hike in Dickinson Park. Fun fun and NOT ONE day of bad weather til we drove out the very last day then the sky opened up! haha Thanks for sharing your video!

[@BryanDeLay]

The Winds are my favorite place to backpack in the west. I've only done one trip out of Dickinson Park, because I didn't like having to pay $55 to drive across the Indian reservation.

[@JenniferLupine]

Awesome trip - amazing views! I think those strong winds might knock me over too! Unfortunate that you didn’t have great weather the whole time- it looked like the bugs and mosquitoes were gone though. The views of the lakes and mountains are wonderful- I hope I’ll be able to backpack there someday! Thanks for the great video Brian! 👍👍😄

[@BryanDeLay]

Hey Jennifer! Even with the wind it was a great backpacking trip. Almost no bugs or mosquitoes. I didn't even use a bug net under my tarp. You definitely should put the Winds on your bucket list.

[@JenniferLupine]

@@BryanDeLay It’s on my list for sure!

[@DrJohn493]

Another nice video of the Winds this summer Bryan. Mid-50s as the daytime temps and ice in the morning, what a difference a week or two makes in the Winds. As much as I like Colorado, gotta say the Winds deliver on the scenery and the experience, rain, shine....or ice.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks John! Yes, the Winds are awesome.

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Bryan, I have watched backpacking vids from a lot of different folks and yours are second to none. Just the right amount of length, music, narration, and trail information. Obviously you’ve covered many a mile and your kit is very dialed in. My son and I did Titcomb this summer and we will be back and this loop looks like a second trip in the making This may seem a bit silly but I would like to here a Lil bit more about what you eat. Do you cold soak? You appear to be a bare bones guy. Thx again for the GREAT content. FBD

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you very much farbeyonddriven! No cold soaking for me, but I am pretty basic with food. The same thing for breakfast everyday: dry granola, trail mix with almonds, walnuts, dried fruit, and an RX bar. Lunch is usually a tortilla wrap with peanut butter and dried pineapple or some other dried fruit, or summer sausage or packaged salmon with mustard, or beef or chicken jerky with a protein bar. Then after I get to camp and set up I'll eat a large snack like dried mangoes, peanuts or shelled pistachios and another protein bar. Finally for dinner it's half of a freeze dried meal (hot).

[@farbeyonddriven2876]

@@BryanDeLay One more question Bryan, why did you choose to go of trail near the start the hike. FYI I'm following along on a map of the area. THX FBD

[@BryanDeLay]

Actually we didn't go off trail until the 2nd day when we went up East Fork River. We started the trip at the Big Sandy TH on the CDT for about 0.3 mile and then took Trail 105 to Boulter Lake. On day 2 when we got to Poston Meadows we took the Highline Trail (094) to the CDT and then off trail up East Fork River. Hope this answers your question.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Thank you Bryan for the video! Yours are so good!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you so much Chris!

[@mountainwanderer]

Well, I loved this one too! That turned into quite the trip to Wyoming for you. Looks like you caught some of the weather we were getting as we came out. I'm not sure if this is the exact route they did, but the group I was with went into to Grave Lake and I think hit both passes you did last year. Now I need to go there too! Great video, bud!

[@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981]

👍

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Travis, this is a great loop. I remember watching the video of your friend's trip to the Grave Lake area, but I don't remember the exact route they did. Although not exact, but it's very similar to a route I did on my first trip to the Winds in 2001.

[@SalineScott]

That is a beautiful area. Love it!! Because of Nathan…. Lol… I got a couple of the CNOC bags. I love them. It’s so much easier to collect water with them.

[@BryanDeLay]

The Winds are absolutely beautiful Scott. The CNOC bags are great!

[@kylep6194]

Another great video, Bryan. Two passes in one trip. I’ve been to Grave Lake via Moccasin Lake trailhead twice. I’ve never climbed Hailey Pass. You have my respect. I love to see how you pitch your dyneema Trailstar. I bought the sylnylon version but haven’t taken it into the Winds for fear of mosquitoes. You passed up some awesome fishing lakes.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Kyle! Here is a video of how I pitched an older sylnylon version of the tarp: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nV6cZqRnoZeAopo

[@petermartin9335]

Great video as usual. I'm just wondering why you prefer the open tent to the closed kind ? You're obviously a tough guy ! Good luck and keep them coming !

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Peter! I've been using a tarp since 1998. I like the amount of space and being able to see out during the rain, especially when I'm stuck under shelter for hours before bedtime. Once you get accustomed to a tarp it's really not a big deal.

[@SeniorHiker77]

That pretty cold for October. Not quite there yet her in Georgia. Awesome scenery 👌

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks for watching Senior Hiker 77. Actually this trip was in mid August.

[@waterfallmadman]

An incredibly beautiful area. You sure had some crazy wind on this trip though.

[@BryanDeLay]

It's a very beautiful area Leon. It's amazing how non stop wind for 3 or 4 days can begin to wear on you.

[@kdarnell12]

I hiked with David in the Gila earlier this spring, and he told me about trips with you. I was surprised to learn that you're also from my hometown!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks for commenting RockyMtnHiker! David told me about the Gila trip, but he didn't mention I live in your hometown.

[@kdarnell12]

@@BryanDeLay I love your videos. I'll be retiring at the end of the year, and I'm looking forward to spending all my time back on the trail. If you're ever looking for a hiking partner, drop me a line!

[@chadroberts44]

Great video; Looks like the Winds can get windy. :)

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Chad! Maybe that's why they are named the Wind River Range.

[@HowestheHike]

Awesome!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Stewart! Glad you enjoyed the video. If I ever get caught up from being out west so long, I'll check out some of your backpacking videos from this past summer. Hope you are doing well.

[@dansarette101]

So how many trips have you made to the winds Brian? It is a place worth doing over and over for sure! Wife and I drove through the area back in May 2021 on our Motorcycle from Seattle to south Florida. Loved, it loved it, loved it!! Want to go back and walk it for sure!!

[@BryanDeLay]

My first trip to the Winds was in early September 2001. For the last 8 years I've spent 4 to 6 weeks in the Winds. So a total of 9 times, but I'd have to check my backpacking log to figure out how many backpacking trips I've done in the Winds. Seattle to south Florida on a motorcycle, wow!

[@cjjt66]

Hi Bryan, Your videos are so wonderful. It is difficult to put into words how inspiring your videos have been for me since Covid started. They really helped me a lot. I will be traveling with a friend up to the Winds in a month. We will be doing a counter-clockwise loop over Jackass Pass & Hailey Pass. Couple of questions: in this video you camped west of Grave Lake. We were hoping to do the same thing--camp somewhere near the intersection of the trail that goes up to Baptiste Lake. Are there plenty of spots in that area or are they few & far between? I have not gotten a good sense of the area. Overly rocky? Or uneven? Also, how insanely difficult would it be to, once on top of Hailey Pass, go west up the ridge toward Pyramid Peak and then down to Pyramid Lake. Other than steep & bit of loose rock, is the route passable? Or too many cliffs? Are we better of just going down Hailey Pass and then double backing to Pyramid Lake? Many thanks, A Big Fan

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you so much Christopher! We camped west of Grave Lake and a little east of the trail up Baptiste Lake. It was very windy and we found a site in the trees. South of the trail to Baptiste Lake it's open and some potential campsites. In fact someone was camped about half way between Baptiste Lake Trail and Hailey Pass. I've never tried going from Hailey Pass straight to Pyramid Lake. Looking at the topos it might be doable, but I don't recall seeing any access going west from Hailey Pass. The east side of Pyramid Peak along Twin Lakes is very steep. Sorry I can't be of more help. Hope you have a great trip.

[@BlackBuzzzard]

I backpacked the Winds twice this year. My fear is putting my tent in the range of dead trees what with the high winds. So many dead trees standing due to the pine beetle. So I camp above tree line mostly which means even higher wind exposure. But i luv the area!

[@BryanDeLay]

I'm always checking out for dead trees where I camp. But the Winds are not as bad as the Southern Appalachians right now with millions of dead Hemlocks that are often hard to see in the dense forest.

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

Hello Bryan, great video! I think I asked you this before. Did you drive out there from Tennessee. I “hopefully” will be taking my Van out there next year. Beautiful place! 👍✌️😎🚐

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Tom! Yes I drove out there. Hope you can make it next year.

[@jenamcgowan2868]

Love the scenery, Bryan!! Have you ever encountered a bear?

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Jena! I've only seen one bear in the Wind River Range. Based on information from an outfitter and a ranger there is not a big bear population in the Winds.

[@TimIrvin]

Outstanding. No wildlife at all?

[@BryanDeLay]

Sorry to say about all we saw were squirrels, chipmonks and small birds.

[@tomsumma1660]

Coach!

[@BryanDeLay]

That'd be right Tom!

[@bolleolympus]

👌👌👍👍

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks!

[@RicG.]

👍 😎

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Ric G!