Pinedale-Dubois Traverse

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Geological Significance · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

The Pinedale - Dubois traverse is a classic Winds adventure route. Although this traverse is much smaller in comparison to the Wind River High Route, the terrain is still complex with a large glacial descent down the Dinwoody Glacier. An ice axe and crampons are necessary to get down the Dinwoody Glacier from Bonney Pass. There is an option to summit Gannett Peak along the way, and is best done via the Gooseneck Glacier Route approached from the base of the Dinwoody Glacier. See route on Mountain Project for more beta.

As per USFS rules:
1) Make sure to camp 200 feet from trails and water.
2) Dogs have to be leashed or under control (i.e. training collar or equivalent) at all times.
3) All food and attractants need to be suspended at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from a post or tree or stored inside a bear-resistant container.
4) Check current fire restrictions. Fire rings must be dismantled after use.

This route takes 4 - 7 days, depending if a summit of Gannett Peak is on your radar. You'll need to shuttle from Dubois to Pinedale. Union Pass, which connects the two is closed as of October 2024 due to a fire. Shuttling over Togwotee Pass through Jackson is the fastest way (~ 3 hours one way).

Start at Elkhart Park, taking the Pole Creek Trail towards Seneca Lake. The trail travels through the forest for the first 5 miles then opens up near Hobbs Lake. After Little Seneca Lake, take the Highline Trail (left) then the Indian Basin Trail (right) towards Island Lakes. Titcomb Lakes (approximately 15 miles from the trailhead) can be reached in day if moving quick. If not, there are plenty of spots to camp between Seneca and Island Lakes.

From the head of Titcomb Lakes, Bonney Pass is located around right of Helen's Peak. Work your way around the right side of the talus, crossing over to the foot of Bonney Pass. Once atop Bonney Pass, Gannett Peak and the Dinwoody Glacier lie in full view ahead. Enjoy the scene!

Work your way down the fall line of Bonney Pass towards Dinwoody Glacier. Take out our ice axe and crampons, and continue on the Dinwoody Glacier continuing to work down the fall line. There are normally some open crevasses on the far right side near the last outcropping. Once off the glacier, work your way down the talus, looking for cairns that will appear close to the Gannett Peak Trail. Good bivy spots and some big enough for a tent are found past the major talus field. This is a good spot to set off for the Gooseneck Route if climbing Gannett.

Follow the Gannett Peak Trail down to the Glacier Trail. The Glacier trail drops off from the Dinwoody Glacier cirque into the long U-shaped Dinwoody glacial valley. Soon the cirque containing Gannett Glacier will be visible with the northeast ridge of the West Sentinel separating the two. You can find good camping anywhere in this valley. Be sure to take a look back at Gannett Peak as it looms over the head of the valley.

The Glacier Trail stretches the Dinwoody glacial valley for about 8 miles before taking a left at Honeymoon Creek to Double Lake Creek cirque, a scenic area to spend the night. The Glacier Trail climbs up to a broad mountain pass that maintains a high elevation above 10,000 feet before dropping down into the Torrey Creek drainage and to Trail Lake Trailhead.