Wind River Range - Bridger Wilderness - WY | 6-day Backpacking Trip Report

[@LayneComfort]

Did you catch the furry visitor on Day 2's tent setup timelapse? Don't blink!

[@adamsfly6212]

I heard many years ago that mistake lake got its name when the game and fish "mistakenly" stocked the lake with golden trout. I do love the wind river range and the fishing can be good too! Thanks for sharing. Oh, and I'm a Colorado native, 62 years and still backpacking.

[@LayneComfort]

That’s a funny story on the name, thanks for sharing! You’re the second from CO so far. It’s like Finis Mitchell said, “We don’t stop hiking because we grow old - we grow old because we stop hiking.”

[@jenb.6440]

Absolutely beautiful video; spectacular time lapse, and I really appreciate how you document the trail and conditions and you don't get narcissistic .. thank you so much for sharing!

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks for that Jen, I’ve always thought 2 of my best ever timelapses were from this trip! Mother Nature always keeps me in check out there

[@jenb.6440]

Phenomenal footage, really wonderful trail report; we really appreciate your work! Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Jen, I really appreciate your support! Keep on watching and I’ll keep on sharing 🤝

[@ghewins]

Thank you so much for this video. So many hiking videos on KZbin are about the hiker or hikers “conquering” the trail. In other words, the hike is a challenge to be overcome rather than an opportunity to experience and learn. The quote at the start of the video assured me that the purpose of your hike would be to experience rather than to conquer.

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks for this comment Gregg. Every trek into the wilderness is an opportunity to learn. I think those of us who really spend time out deep know that there is no conquering these areas. They’ve been there long before I was born and will remain long after I’m gone.

[@PopPopTN]

Lol! Yeah, I don't recommend trying any of the "flavored" snows. Awesome time lapses of the storms gathering. Thanks for all the work you put in to these. You've already hiked most of the places we've been. Grayson Highlands and the Smokys. Thanks again from upper east TN (Bristol).

[@LayneComfort]

There were some awesome storms out there! I enjoyed those timelapses quite a bit myself. Shout out to the Volunteer State! There’s some hikes I’d like to do in TN but it’s such a long haul from central NC

[@darrellzelinsky7095]

Great looking trip. I really enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks for the kind words Darrell. Glad you enjoyed, I had a great time out there filming it

[@AbelTravel]

Well done video. I am enjoying your trip report. Although I have not been to the Winds, your video has highlighted some places there that I would love to backpack to some day. Looking forward to your next video. Thanks for sharing.

[@LayneComfort]

Thank you for the kind words Karen. The Winds should be on every backpacker’s list. Top notch scenery with adventurous hiking. Next video will stick in Wyoming but not in the Winds!

[@panhandlejake6200]

Fantastic Trip ! My first backpacking trip was in Bridger - 52 years ago. We left northwest out of Elkhart Park and did a clockwise loop of about 50 miles. I think our last camp was near Cook Lakes. Did not see a soul for 8 days. I was back there in summer of 2022 and this time headed out on the Pole Creek Trail and did part of the loop from 50 years ago. Ran into about 40 people on the first day - many going to Photographer's Point. I hope to go back again in a year or so - many other trails still on my bucket list.........

[@LayneComfort]

Awesome Jake! I'm sure you've seen lots of changes in the Winds over 50 years, especially the number of visitors. I'd imagine the Elkhart Park Trailhead was a little smaller on your first visit. There is a lifetime of exploring to do out there, I hope to make it back myself

[@cjjt66]

Excellent video. Colorado here. The Colorado Trail is wonderful. The San Juan Mountains are magical.

[@LayneComfort]

I’ve heard great things about the San Juans. I’d like to do some exploring in them one day

[@dirtribbonaddiction]

Eggsellent!! I love your deadpan humor, it cracks me up. I'm in WNC. So another follower from your home state.

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks DRA, glad to bring a laugh! WNC is one of the greatest places on earth. Springtime in the mountains is coming soon!

[@michaelwainfeld4292]

Hey-Mike W here, Tim’s buddy. We had an excellent trip also. The first time that I hiked in the Winds, we got to Titcomb from the other direction. So that was Elkhart-Mary’s Lake-CDT to Tommy Lake. Upper Jean Lake, then off-trail over Shannon Pass to Peak Lake. The crux was then over Knapsack Col down to Titcomb. Another great loop. Peak Lake is pretty incredible. Glad to have met you!

[@LayneComfort]

Hey Mike, glad y'all had an excellent trip! It was so funny to run into you 2 and Ed & Gab up there where I wasn't expecting to see anyone. Sounds like your first loop had some fun off trail hiking. Like I mentioned in the video, I was already thinking of how to get back into Titcomb, so maybe Knapsack Col will be that way. Keep up the great hikes!

[@timgardner-PapaG]

Bravo! "Time to hit the off-trail!" Love it!

[@LayneComfort]

It was great to meet you out there Tim, keep up the adventurous hikes!

[@shadetreelife3670]

My Buddies and I horse packed in and spent a week every year for about 5-6 years. Winds are a wonderful place

[@LayneComfort]

Very cool, the Winds are in awesome place to return to year after year. I’m sure you got to see some cool areas over 5-6 visits

[@jamespyle9606]

Excellent video and nice meeting you at Miller Lk. BTW, the rain only got heavier and heavier. I ended up shortening my trip because of all the rain. I Did the Cook Lakes and over Lester Pass. Didn’t make it to Titcomb Basin. Guess I’ll have to go back and finish my trip. What an amazing area.

[@LayneComfort]

Great to run into you out there Jim! The rain & storms can really be a factor in the Winds. I'm sure you still got to see plenty of great sights. Titcomb will be there on your next visit!

[@granolasteeve]

Great footage, Layne! Great job shooting your trip & also it was a nice route you took looping south of the common areas around Island Lake. Btw, Oklahoma....home of the Oauchita Trail. Not quite the Winds, tho Lol

[@LayneComfort]

There were some beautiful areas on this route for sure. Thanks for the info on OK, I’ve only ever driven through the state before. It’s just not fair to compare most places to the Winds!

[@jasonkamm5537]

Colorado. The Four Pass Loop is an essential Colorado backpacking trip. You won't find much solitude, but the beauty of this loop makes it a must do. Permits are required now.

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Jason! I reckon you're the first to make it all the way through the video and share your state. With all the exploring you've done the Four Pass Loop must be something special for sure

[@Hiker33]

North Carolina. Not a lot here you haven’t already done, but I’d like to see you video a thru-hike of the Bartram Trail. Looking toward hiking that one myself.

[@LayneComfort]

North Carolina home sweet home. That's a good one - I have never done the vast majority of the Bartram Trail. Good luck on knocking it out!

[@michaelcrawford9425]

I'm in your homestate. I live in Concord, NC.

[@LayneComfort]

I just drove through Concord on my way out West. NC has been heavily represented so far with Colorado surprisingly right on her heels.

[@steveakersdrums]

You have really taken on the mountain west in earnest. Do you carry an In Reach or some such device? Extra points for the Stealer's Wheel reference. Thanks for taking us along. From South Carolina - be safe.

[@LayneComfort]

The Mountain West captured me. This video took us from July into August so I've still got all of my August & September out there yet to release. I've never carried any device like that but the newer iPhones, which I have for 2024 & beyond, have emergency SOS via satellite. Cheers to the Palmetto State

[@mgarrigan21]

Great video man. Curious... what kind of pants do you use? looking for a good pair. Thanks!

[@LayneComfort]

Thanks Michael! The pants I wear in the evenings are Patagonia Terrebonne. They are pretty lightweight and I don't do too much hiking in them. For hiking I wear Prana Stretch Zion Shorts

[@LMay64]

Beautiful itinerary! When did you do this trip? Were mosquitoes gone or still heavy?

[@LayneComfort]

This trip was late-July/early-August 2023. I had been in the Winds for 2 weeks by this point and didn't have any issues with mosquitos the entire time.

[@ericcomp7032]

lemon>strawberry try the chocolate snow.

[@LayneComfort]

I haven’t tried the chocolate yet!

[@ericcomp7032]

Indian>titcomb imo

[@LayneComfort]

That’s the great thing about the Winds, everywhere you turn is stunning!

[@timgardner-PapaG]

Bravo! "Time to hit the off-trail." Love it!