The Winds: Big Sandy - Texas Pass Loop

[@maryjbelle]

The filming is extraordinary. Very impressive.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you maryjbelle! Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@bigzach322]

Beautiful scenery, especially around Texas Pass. Has been on my bucket list for years.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Zach! It's a fabulous loop. You should definitely check out the Wind River Range sometime. My first trip there was in 2001 and I've now done 10 trips there. In the last few years it has been discovered by the masses and some areas are very crowded, but still some of the best backpacking in the country.

[@bigzach322]

Crowded is relative though right? I've backpacked in what was supposed to be one of the most crowded loops in the Sawtooths in mid-August. We probably saw 15 people over 3 days.

[@BryanDeLay]

To put it in more absolute terms there was at least 150 cars at the Big Sandy trail head and it's about 40 miles of dirt road to get to the trail head. Also we probably saw 60 plus backpackers in 7 days on this loop. In 2015 when I did the loop out of Elkhart Park to Titcomb Basin I saw at least 50 backpacker in 6 days. Of course Elkhart Park and Big Sandy are the two most popular trail heads, but anymore you almost have to go off trail to not see anyone. Amazingly though on my 8 day, 65 mile Yellowstone trip we saw very few people and most of those were on the first and last day. The six days in between we only saw 4 people.

[@bigzach322]

Damn that's pretty insane

[@JohndaCantrell]

Awesome!!!!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks!

[@nurse28707]

Another beautiful video of my favorite location. Whenever I get restless or homesick, I watch your Wind River vids!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you so much nurse28707! I really appreciate that you enjoy my Wind River videos.

[@cq7415]

Nice. Tall, rugged mountains. Thanks

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks C Q!

[@wyopobo5339]

Hey Bryan, great video. you guys look right at home up on Jackass Pass. on the other hand looks like you didn't want to hang around much on Texas Pass. The does blow in the high country. Nice looking trails. take care..

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Martin! Yea, a little windy at Texas Pass and a really steep descent after leaving the pass.

[@dansarette101]

Hey Brian, The wife and I are gonna try a day hike In the Winds and would like your best trail recommendations for a couple O flat-landers like us. will will be spending few days in the Tetons first, getting acclimated on some of the trails there. We are renting a class"B" motor-home type van, and would like to spend the night at or nearest to a trailhead. Thinking Big Sandy may be the best suited for this, would like to know of other options as well. we would like the best scenic trail available within a days time.I know you've been hear more than most people, so could certainly be the best to advise. Also, I sure would love to see a video on your Logistics for doing these far from home excursions. Like, the air travel. gear brought with you or stored locally somewhere and so forth. I only assume you just bring your trusty pack with you on the plane every time and that's all? where do you like to fly in at. rent a car, Uber? and all these minute details.. Thanks man!

[@BryanDeLay]

There is a campground and dispersed camping near the Big Sandy TH, but it's about a 25 mile drive down a gravel road to the TH. Although one short section is a little rough, it's doable with a van. Also Big Sandy is in the southern Winds and the TH is about 8,500 feet, Elkhart Park is the easiest TH access with a paved road from Pinedale to the TH. There is a campground at the TH, which is at 9,500 feet. Green River Lakes is in the northern Winds. Again it's about a 25 mile drive down a gravel road with a lot of washboard, so it can be slow going. There is a campground at the TH and some dispersed camping along the gravel road. The TH is about 8,000 feet. The first 8 miles or so of the Highline Trail along Green River is relatively flat. Since my trips are about 6 to 7 weeks I drive out to the Winds. I car camp while traveling and between backpacking trips. I generally take about 5 days to get out there and traveling back home - no rush whatsoever. Also I take all of my backpacking food with me. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[@defcoord]

Hey Bryan, Really enjoyed the video! Awesome route that I hope to have opportunity to trace in the future... Best regards.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks defcoord! Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you get a chance to do this trip.

[@jempenn]

Thanks, Bryan for the amazing video! I took my teenage boys and a few friends to WRR end of August. The backpacking trip was a first backpacking trip for all of us, except for our guild/friend. It was a unique experinece as we foundly talk about WRR. That beautiful landscape really touches a deeper part of you, and I find myself thinking about backpacking again - somewhere...anywhere, right? My boys keep talking about backpacking again this winter down south in some heat. Great times, great memories, thanks for the well put together video. - Jeremiah

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks jempenn! Backpacking can be amazing with the right skills, equipment and attitude.

[@whshome]

Great video Bryan. Did this exact trip in the 1990's (except one day we did a day hike from Big Sandy Lake up to a pass to the southwest) and not much has changed except some new trail signs, especially that one at Jackass Pass. We had no snow at Jackass Pass but like you snow at Texas Pass. I'd consider this one of the very best backpacking loops anywhere. Any problem with mosquitoes, would think early July there would be a good possibility of such. And like you we had thunderstorms but only one afternoon after getting to camp.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Will! There is another difference since the 1990's, Wind River Range is much more crowded now. It has been discovered by the masses. Yes I agree that this is one of the best loops anywhere and with your backpacking experience that says a lot. I arrived in Wyoming the end of July and did a trip the week before this one and the mosquitoes were pretty bad and had to wear a head net one evening. The mosquitoes were not as bad on this trip and became less of an issue each week thereafter.

[@RobertPatterson-h5b]

Planning a trip in mid September ! How bad are the crowds during that time ?

[@BryanDeLay]

Actually August is the busiest time. The mosquitos will not be an issue in mid-September, but the weather could be sketchy.

[@RobertPatterson-h5b]

@@BryanDeLay yea we are planning for it. Not going far. Big sandy lake area for a couple days

[@draisvh5942]

Absolutely incredible! Awesome pictures and videos! I would love to do this loop one day.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Drais VH! Really glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you get a chance to do this loop.

[@draisvh5942]

Bryan DeLay Nice meeting you on the trail this past weekend. And I look forward to trying out the bear bag 2cr method!

[@BryanDeLay]

Drais, I didn't recognize your name. It was nice meeting you also. Thanks for watching my videos. Let me know if you have any questions about my bear bag method. Hope to see you out backpacking again.

[@OneEyeHikes]

Great video Bryan! I touched base with you several months back for WRR info. Anyway, I completed a 5 day trip into Titcom Basin from Elkhart Park late Aug/early Sep. it was beautiful! Love this range!

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Tim! Glad you enjoyed the video. Titcom Basin is a beautiful trip. The Winds is my favorite place to backpack in the west, but it's been discovered by the masses in the last few years.

[@CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Awesome Bryan! Great to see a new video from you. Beautiful trip, but looked tough. Glad the weather held out for you for the most part. Really pretty shots in there. I know you did a trip with Joey. Looking forward to seeing that trip, as well. How many miles did you two cover on this trip?

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you Catherine for watching and commenting on my video. Glad you enjoyed it. This was only a 26 mile loop, with only two hard days; the climb to Jackass Pass and the climb to Texas Pass. The other days were pretty easy. Yes I did an eight day, 63 mile backpacking trip with Joey in Yellowstone the middle of August and had a great time. Hopefully I'll be doing some backpacking with him in the Smoky Mountains this winter. Started working on the Yellowstone video last night. This Thursday I'm going backpacking for four days, so maybe next week I can finish the Yellowstone video and get it uploaded. Again thanks for watching and commenting.

[@dominicknehemiah9231]

i guess Im randomly asking but does anyone know of a method to log back into an Instagram account?? I was dumb lost the login password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me.

[@gerardoromeo6745]

@Dominick Nehemiah instablaster :)

[@dominicknehemiah9231]

@Gerardo Romeo Thanks for your reply. I found the site through google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@dominicknehemiah9231]

@Gerardo Romeo it worked and I finally got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much, you saved my ass :D

[@DavidWilliams-zs1bz]

What kind of bags did you to hang your food?

[@BryanDeLay]

Well I had to go back and check the video. The green bag is a Zpacks DCF and the other three bags are Sea -to -Summit silnylon.

[@princesswearshikingboots4479]

Wow! What spectacular scenery, and beautifully filmed. Makes you want to drop everything and head out there:) You guys sure chewed up some elevation!! Any probs with altitude sickness? Did you have crampons for retreating snow? Looks better than the famous W-Trek, lol! You should have way more subscribers (you do great videos). Happy Hiking:)

[@BryanDeLay]

Thank you very much Princess! We didn't have any real issues with the altitude, but I had been in Wyoming for 2 weeks and did two prior trips as a warm up. My friend lives at 4,600 feet in the mountains of western North Carolina, so he adjusted quickly. No we did not have any crampons and really did not need them. This was my 10th backpacking trip in the Winds during the month of August and this was the most snow I've seen at that time of the year.

[@princesswearshikingboots4479]

Thanks Bryan. That's useful to know about acclimatizing:)

[@jeanniebaker9929]

Wait! There’s mountains in Texas?

[@BryanDeLay]

That's pretty good!:) I've wondered why it's called Texas Pass. But actually there are some mountains in Texas: Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

[@bradsgonebackpackin9069]

Hey Bryan, heading to WRR in a couple weeks. Never hiked this area before and was wondering did you have any trouble hanging a bag or would you recommend a bear canister or ursack?

[@BryanDeLay]

Sorry to be so long in getting back with you, but I've been backpacking in the Winds and a trip to Jasper Nat'l Park for the last 7 weeks with very little internet access. Just in case you haven't been to the Winds yet, I've been able to hang a bear bag in all my trips to the Winds, but I mostly camp in the sub-alpine zone. Although one time I remember being able to get my food bag only about 6 feet above the ground.

[@vibefrequencyable]

bryan.... did you download the all trails map...? is there one for texas pass?...i heard its not an official trail.. ?

[@BryanDeLay]

I don't know if All Trails shows the Texas Pass trail. I use Beartooth Publishing maps for the Winds and it doesn't show a trail over Texas Pass. However there is a well worn unofficial trail from Lonesome Lake over Texas Pass to Shadow Lake, especially now that it is an option for the CDT.

[@vibefrequencyable]

@@BryanDeLay ty ...tackling on thursday

[@vibefrequencyable]

@@BryanDeLay as your 1st foray to the winds... would you go to titcomb or the cirque? if sheer beauty is the main goal?

[@BryanDeLay]

Personally I think the Cirque of Towers/Texas Pass is more beautiful overall. Also this loop is a little less crowded than Titcomb Basin.

[@nathandolenc554]

How many miles is this loop?

[@BryanDeLay]

As I recall it's about 28 miles.

[@AdamDeWitt]

I love all of your videos. I'm heading to Big Sandy next week. What locations along the trail did you pitch your tarp?

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Adam! The 1st night we camped along Big Sandy River in a flat area off the trail. The 2nd night we camped on the southeast side of Big Sandy Lake. On night 3 we dropped down from Jackass Pass and continued past Lonesome Lake to camp. Camping is not allowed within 1/4 mile of the lake. On the 4th night we camped near Shadow Lake, which is on the northwest side of Texas Pass. The 5th night we camped at Dad's Lake and on the 6th night we camped near Meeks Lake so we would have a short hike out on the final day. Hope this heips.

[@rhyndman]

Hi Bryan - loving your videos. They've helped me to pick the Wind River range for a July trip. I live in Toronto and would be flying out or riding out on my moto - you've done several trips in the Winds - what is your favourite week-ish long route - ideally a loop?

[@BryanDeLay]

Rob, thanks for watching and commenting. Glad you are enjoying the videos. First if you are going in July make sure you take a head net. The mosquitoes can be really bad in July, but start dying off in August. This loop, Big Sandy- Texas Pass Loop, and the Green River - Porcupine Pass Loop are two of my favorites. To me backpacking is more than just hiking, eating and sleeping. I enjoy time a camp so you may want to do more miles than me. I would suggest that you get the Wind River Range maps published by Beartooth Publishing located in Bozeman, Montana. They make three that I know of: northern section, southern section and the entire area. I bought them at an outfitter in Pinedale, WY. I would suggest that you order one or all of them to plan your trip. If you get the maps in advance and have any questions, I'll be glad to assist if I can. Hope this helps.

[@rhyndman]

Good advice. I think I would go a little bonkers. Perhaps the fall is a better idea.

[@rhyndman]

(and thanks so much for the tips - much appreciated)

[@jacobfoster7726]

Looks like it was an exciting hike! Out of curiosity, what temperature were your sleeping bags rated at? I'm trying to decide between the Kelly Cosmic Down 0° and 20° for three season backpacking in Wyoming and Texas. I'm excited to get out there - I live about three hours away but haven't spent nearly any time in the Winds yet! (I know, shame on me 😜)

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks for watching and commenting Jacob. I used a 10 degree Enlightened Equipment quilt. All of my trips in the Winds have been in August or early September. The coldest temperature I've experienced is 19. Hope this helps!

[@jacobfoster7726]

Bryan DeLay Awesome! Thanks so much, I appreciate you sharing that; it definitely is a big help!

[@chip-arkansashillbilly2900]

Great video could you do a gear list video thank you

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks Arkansas Hillbilly for watching my video. I'll try to put together a gear list in the near future.

[@OneEyeHikes]

Yes indeed! However, I spent Labor Day in Teton National Park and that was a total zoo with the crowds!

[@vibefrequencyable]

can it be done in 5 days by a 50 year old?

[@BryanDeLay]

If your in good shape 5 days is very doable. I did this loop again last year and I was 67 then.

[@equusspringsfarm]

WOW. this is awesome !!! I am planning this same loop this August, but clockwise, in 4 days, solo. What camera did you shoot this video with ???

[@josephdedominicis887]

What a dump.

[@BryanDeLay]

Thanks!