Hiking 80 Miles across the Wind River Range in Wyoming

In the state of Wyoming and along the Continental Divide lies the incredible, and at the same time not very well-known nor easily accessible mountain called The Wind River Range. Yet this mountain range is filled with panoramic vistas, glacier-carved cirques, rugged terrain and un abundant wildlife.
This video documents my 5-day backpacking experience, with all the beauty and challenges I faced along the way, hiking for 125 km or 80 miles across the Wind River Range from North to South.
Sit back, relax and let me take you along this journey into nature!
Timestamps:
00:00 About the Wind River Range
01:15 Getting to the Green River Lakes trailhead
03:05 Day 1 Green River Lakes to Vista Pass
06:09 Day 2 Vista Pass - Knapsack Col - Titcomb Basin - Island Lake
10:42 Day 3 Island Lake - Lester Pass - Reine - Little Fall Creek
13:21 Day 4 Little Fall Creek - North Fork Lake - East Fork River
16:28 Day 5 East Fork River - Texas Pass - Cirque of Towers - Big Sandy Lake trailhead
21:49 Outro and Credits
Story, filming and editing: Lyubo Yanev
Instagram: / bubo_yanev
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#solohiking #windriverrange #backpacking #hiking #wyoming #windriver #thewinds #greenriverlakes #knapsackcol #cirqueoftowers #cdt

[@mudhens4ever]

I’m 75, and due to peripheral neuropathy, and a needed knee replacement, I’m unable to hike anymore. But from my mid-20s to just a few years ago, I hiked and backpacked often and everywhere in the US, Canada, and Switzerland. I had a hike planned for the Wind River Range in 2013, but had to postpone it because of an injury to 2014, when I then had to postpone it again due to another injury. I never made it to the Winds, but thanks to stumbling upon your video, I feel like I did make it even if only only as an armchair traveler. Thank you so much for sharing such a Scenic Wonderland with us. Your trip brought a smile to my face!

[@tomsmith7742]

This brought back some wonderful memories from my youth hiking the Winds (I am almost 73, and I am really slowing down now). I always enjoyed running into Europeans on our western trails, since Europeans were always so kind to me on my three hiking trips in the Alps. You made a great choice visiting the Winds- pound for pound, the finest backpacking range in the Rockies. I guess you're not into trout fishing- most of the lakes you passed have excellent fishing for large trout, including the famous Golden Trout, which are native to the High Sierra in California, and were transplanted in the Winds back in the early 1900's, where they grew to world record size (over 5 kilos). If you go back there, definitely bring a fly fishing road and lots of small mosquito flies. You can pretty much count on catching plenty of fish, to supplement your food supply and carry less of it. Also, be sure to visit nearby Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons, the most "alpine" of all of America's ranges, and then head north through Yellowstone to the Beartooth Range on the Wyoming-Montana border. It's a lot like the Winds- but even wilder- and the fishing is just as good! Looking forward to more of your videos! Have fun and keep trekking!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you for your comment, and I must agree, for such a relatively short length, the Winds delivered so much of natural beauty! And I'm glad to hear you had positive experience in the Alps as well, it's somewhat of a difference experience in Europe as we typically have towns, villages and huts regularly throughout the trails, yet still manage to allow solitude. And thank you for the recommendations, I had heard of the Tetons, Jackson Hole and Yellowstone and didn't get to visit them on this trip. Glacier national park is also a place I'll be curious to hike in, let's see when will that happen.. I hope you will also manage to get out there and have a good time in nature this summer. Cheers!

[@tomsmith7742]

@@luboyanev Thanks again Lubo- yes, Glacier is fantastic- you should see grizzles up there for sure. The western half of Montana is my favorite place in all the world. The last of the "Old West." Glacier is pretty crowded, being a national park- I advise also hitting some of the lesser known mountain ranges- the Beartooths, as I mentioned, are terrific backpacking country, with lots of great off-trail routes. Happy Trails! Tom

[@DAHAKAW]

The picturesque scenery is intoxicating！

[@LazyBushcrafters]

great video! definitely going to have to look into this one day.

[@frankd4875]

Such a pleasure to see your hike through the Wind River Range, especially while I'm laid up with a pinched nerve in my back and having to take pain meds and muscle relaxers to try and recover. It seems like yesterday when I was hiking in the mountains as you're doing, but I'm 75 now and just can't any more. So, enjoy it while you are able, as the years go by so fast. Thanks for sharing your journey!!

[@MartinHervy]

Great video again. I'm not particularly into hiking but I like the pace and your story telling/voice over.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoy watching them! In the edit I would usually try to keep the viewer engaged and the story progressing, but with hiking films it can be more on the chill side :) Enjoy your summer!

[@PEDALSnPROJECTS]

Beautiful!

[@robertmckean1929]

Nicely done!

[@227oldtrees]

I like your comment about enjoying the day instead of worrying about bad weather. I’ll keep that in mind on my next trip.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! And yes, not always easy, but a good reminder not to worry about something that might not even be the case.. Happy hiking!

[@bubastis9]

CAUTION My wife and I did some parts of this same hike thirty years ago and many of the beautiful locations were familiar. I know from personal experience that the mosquitos can be viscous. Bring a headnet and or mosquito net jacket and eat on a breezy ridge away from camp and I know it sucks, but you may need to quickly stuff food under the neck hole of your headnet to eat miserably and survive the flying bloodsuckers…but NEVER, ever, under ANY god damned circumstances eat inside your tent!!!!!!!You are asking for a late night visit from a grizzly. Once it catches the food scent and investigates and starts peeling apart your tent the surprise you both have is likely to trigger extreme aggression from the bear. You do not want to end up like a zebra on a wildlife show that is still alive while the lion is pulling out its guts! Don’t eat don’t brush your teeth or do anything that will leave a scent in your tent. All even vaguely odiferous things should be packed away with all your food in a bear canister, locker or hung from a tree properly. Always eat 100-200’ away from your camp and if at all possible downwind from your tent. A bear following the scent to food will then stop well short of your camp location. Once while doing laundry at Yellowstone I read through the wall of years of clipping of bear attacks …most of the fatalities were not from surprising a bear on the trail, which could easily get you a charge, aggressive swatting and and sometimes mutilating, severe attacks -most of the fatalities involved eating in or near one’s tent as it can trigger predatory behavior. Save the bears, save yourself or even save somebody who comes after you by not leaving behind a smelly campsite with a habituated bear. Do not invite trouble! Ps-don’t use smelly soaps or antiperspirants in bear country stinking like a human is of benefit in this case. FWIW Old timers lore used to say that if a woman was menstruating, it might be best not to stay overnight in grizzly country.

[@marteanderson7963]

Thanks for the well worded reply. I was going to advise the same in bear country. I might add that one needs to be cautious around moose and their calves as well.

[@LiftHeavyWalkMiles]

fantastic video sir.

[@toddwood5190]

Fantastic video! I was just planning a much shorter hike in the Green River Lakes area this June, when your video popped up. Thank you for taking the time and effort to make these awesome films.

[@luboyanev]

The area around the Green River lakes was so beautiful! It's a bumpy read to get there, but it's totally worth it!

[@nasos_zovoilis]

Your hiking adventure looks absolutely breathtaking! Reminds me of my recent trek through the mountains. Nature truly is our greatest playground.Liked!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you, and I'm glad it brought back good memories!

[@farbeyonddriven8173]

Nice job!!

[@westpacificmarketanalytics2384]

Subscribed great video and a kind heart!

[@NicoColluOfficial]

Excellent video Lyubo! Thanks for sharing this gem - loved getting a preview beforehand, you finished it suuppeeeerrrr!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you Nico! You are the first person that had a little premiere of it :) Cheers Nico, I hope Arizona is treating you well 🏔️

[@NicoColluOfficial]

@@luboyanev Thanks bro - hope to see you here again in the future!

[@luboyanev]

​@@NicoColluOfficial I hope so too Nico! I'll keep you posted ☀️

[@magdalinayankova2024]

The hiking King of wilderness 🙂 Congrats on yet another great adventure! I am every time amazed by the motivation you have for doing these trails. Thanks for sharing, it is always a pleasure watching. ❤

[@luboyanev]

Thank you for the kind words and for the continuous support! Always nice to see that the effort is appreciated :)

[@ervinslens]

Brilliant filming man, this is breathtaking! Panoramic views are incredible! 👏 Bravo

[@luboyanev]

Thank you, I'm glad it was enjoyable to watch!

[@adrianbell4597]

Fantastic as usual Lyubo. Keep the inspiration coming. Thanks for sharing your adventures again.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you for watching! Another video from the Alps is also in the works :) Happy hiking!

[@travisalejandro6690]

great scenery, very serene to see, wish I could have this much time in nature. thanks. stay safe.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! I hope you do manage to get the chance to spend some time in nature somewhere near you. Happy hiking!

[@peggynewman7159]

Thanks for sharing the beautiful hike! Wonderful video.

[@luboyanev]

My pleasure! Thank you for watching!

[@waltersive6313]

What a very fine piece of filming and narration. I need to get back to the Winds!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! Totally agree, the Winds are incredible! Happy hiking!

[@relaxingvideosnorthwest3646]

Beautiful video! Thanks for sharing

[@luboyanev]

My pleasure, thank you for watching!

[@TrekkingTheRockies]

Love your adventures! Fantastic filming, editing and narration. Thanks for taking us along.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! I am glad it read enjoyable to watch!

[@tsvetomirnikolov1901]

Really inspiring video. Great work

[@luboyanev]

Thank you, I'm glad to hear it was inspiring!

[@SkillCollectors]

Great film, thank you for sharing this with us.

[@luboyanev]

My pleasure, I'm glad you liked it! And thank you for your comment!

[@TheSilentHiker]

Thanks for taking us with you again! Stunningly beautiful as always!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! And happy hiking this coming summer!

[@dansarette101]

Excellent work!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you!

[@anon1258]

Beautiful nature

[@luboyanev]

Thank you, and I agree the Wind river range is so beautiful!

[@hikesome]

can't get enough of these breathtaking views! Kudos to you for this masterpiece and for capturing nature's beauty so brilliantly!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you for the kind words! The nature in the Winds was the masterpiece :) Happy hiking!

[@kristinegoodman7534]

Wow! You covered in one trip what I've done in the Winds in 2 trips. Beautiful!

[@luboyanev]

I would say the Winds are definitely worth more than one visit :) I hope you had a great time out there as well!

[@bluedreamer1941]

Thank you!!

[@Buffenmeyer]

Wow! I could only dream of doing such a thing and I even live in America! Where’s that courage I’ve been looking for? Nicely filmed and great narration! 😸

[@luboyanev]

Thank you so much! Slowly, slowly the courage comes to go on such adventures :) I was lucky enough to grow up by the mountains and be introduced to them from a young age.. I hope you get a chance to get out there, happy hiking!

[@joaoveganvisirlbo5320]

Tak for, endnu en gang, en virkelig absolut fantastisk vandrefilm, kære Lyubo! ❣️✨🙃💫❣️ Love you, man! 🌱😃👍

[@luboyanev]

Obrigado, Thank you for the continuous support Joao! 🏔️

[@whistlepig]

You picked a great place to hike. The Winds are incredible!!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you, I couldn't agree more!

[@Xl_Fenrir_lX]

What trail hiking app were you using? I go here every year and I’m visiting the same location in a few months again and would love to know what you used for navigation. Great video btw, Wind River Range is truly amazing and I’m glad it brings people from around the world to enjoy it!

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! And for this trail I used the Farout app (used to be called Gut hooks) and downloaded the CDT section for Wyoming. It is pretty useful, it has lots of information like river crossing, alternate routes, junctions, as well as comments from other hikers, so you can know the current condoms. Note that not all trails in the US or in the world are on the app, but many of the major trails are already there. Best of luck and happy hiking!

[@bensutton5790]

Love it!

[@luboyanev]

🏔️🙌😎

[@rockygray8848]

What brand of tent and sleeping pad are you using? The pad looks very comfortable! Great video!!

[@panhandlejake6200]

LOVE .the Tetons ! Your route was epic (like most in that area) !! My first backpacking trip was 40 mi partially on the Highline 52 years ago. I hope to hike there again in a year or two - after I complete some other hikes. Haven't considered the Green River area - but it looks fantastic.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you for the comment! Unfortunately I didn't get the chance to visit the Tetons nor Yellow stone, another reason to come back to the area! And the Green River lakes were definitely worth the visit, happy hiking!

[@svilenaradeva1628]

Благодаря, че ни показваш тези красоти!

[@luboyanev]

Благодаря! Радвам се че ги оценявате!

[@Ivaylo_P_Hristov]

Поздравления за прехода и филма! Ще ми е интересно да видя списъка с екипировката.

[@luboyanev]

Благодаря! От доста време се каня да кача видео с екипировката която използвам, даже го бях снимал на 2 пъти, но не съм ги качвал. Имам един лист от предишен поход като доста от нещата са подобни, само дето на този поход използвах по голямата ми раница, и 2-местна палатка, и 2-те са от Zpacks. А ето го листа от предишен подход по GR20 в Корсика: lighterpack.com/r/a6ymqg

[@stephenbuckley9940]

I thought the area around the Green River Lakes was beautiful. This video shows me I was barely scratching the surface of how beautiful the Wind River Range is.

[@luboyanev]

Oh the Green River lakes area was incredible, but the mountains continued to deliver and deliver every day :) Happy hiking!

[@TheDam1776]

Great job on this video. The scenery is beautiful and looks like something in Europe, I wouldn't have guessed it was Wyoming. I'd love to do this trek someday. How did you keep your phone charged the entire time? And how did you carry enough water? Thank you for doing this video, I really enjoyed watching it.

[@luboyanev]

Thank you! And yes it was surprising to see how much beauty there was in a relatively short hike. And for keeping my phone and camera batteries charged I brought two power banks of 10 000mah, and for most of the day I would keep my phone in airplane mode and turn it off completely during the night. If I didn't bring camera gear just one power bank would have probably been plenty for the 5 day hike. And regarding water, there were plenty of sources to fill up every day. I was only carrying a single 1L bottle and my water filter also had a 1L capacity, and that worked out well for me. I made sure to fill up on water before going up the ridges where there would be less water, and when down in the valleys I wouldn't carry more than half of litter as there would be many sources to fill up. I hope that's helpful. Happy hiking!

[@markstanton2362]

What brand is your backpack?

[@ProXxXify]

Anaother great hike, Lyubo! I have a little recommendation. The narrative audio have a little bit too much low frequencies and have too weak middle and high frequencies. This makes it hard to understand, because human voice lives mostly in the middle frequencies. The audio from the camera during the hike for example is much easier to understand. You can try lowering the low frequencies and boosting the mids a little bit (for the narrative audio). Keep up the good work! 🙌

[@luboyanev]

Hey, thank you for the feedback! May I ask what device you're watching it on? I apply a multiband compressor to the voiceover and use monitoring headphones, and it sounds ok, but I'm no expert. I might have to look into it to make it more balanced.

[@ProXxXify]

I watched it on my PC, using M-Audio BX5 monitors. They have pretty neutral frequency curve and I don't apply any EQs. I'm no expert too, so it might be something in my setup (or ears :)). If nobody else is telling you this, probably it's not a big problem. :)

[@LorDDemoniC]

Поредното прекрасно приключение :)

[@luboyanev]

Благодаря Иво! Поздрави и весело лято!

[@LorDDemoniC]

И на теб братле@@luboyanev

[@switchbackboy]

Mandatory bear safe food canisters. Ive completed the same traverse.

[@luboyanev]

Yes, Ursacks or hard bear canister are both great options. Though the bulkiness and the weight of the canister is making many people use other options.

[@markstanton2362]

Is that Outdoor Vitals backpack?

[@AustenSummers]

Zpacks

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Wow!! What an amazing video. Thanks for sharing. sub & 👍290

[@luboyanev]

I'm glad you liked it and thank you for the support!

[@Aryan-qt6pu]

thought i was watching a harmen hoek vid🤣

[@luboyanev]

I had to Google his name, from a quick glance to me it seems like he does silent style films without narration, but if mine or his connect inspires people to go out and appreciate nature, that's all that matters to me. Happy hiking!

[@RunningPhotographer]

Пускам с кафето :)

[@luboyanev]

Хехе да ви е сладко и приятно гледане!

[@AustenSummers]

This Is a Certified Hood Classic

[@luboyanev]

Wyoming was stunning! Definitely recommend the visit! :)