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A beautiful out and back trail passing several lakes and views of one of the most beautiful cirques in the U.S.


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Map Key

16.6

Miles

26.7

KM

Out and Back

10,781' 3,286 m

High

9,100' 2,774 m

Low

2,320' 707 m

Up

2,320' 707 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

38%

Max Grade (21°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fall Colors · Fishing · Geological Significance · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

As per USFS rules:
1) Make sure to camp 200 ft 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) No camping within a 1/4 mile of Lonesome Lake.
5) Check current fire restrictions. Fire rings must be dismantled after use.

Overview

This 2 to 3 day route follows the Big Sandy River until you get to Big Sandy Lake where you can get great views of Haystack Mountain and beautiful wildflowers surrounding the lake. As you start going up the trail to Jackass Pass from Big Sandy Lake, look back and see the impressive Haystack Mountain, Temple Peak, East Temple Peak, and Lost Temple Spire (all granite specimen) in the Deep Creek Drainage.

The highlight of the trail is at its culmination where you ascend to the knoll by Jackass Pass and can see almost the entire Cirque of the Towers and its surrounding peaks and pinnacles.

Need to Know

This is among one of the many popular routes in the southern winds which starts from Big Sandy Trail. In consequence, parking at the trailhead is often very full. Please be mindful about where you park, and do not destroy the vegetation to create "new parking spots". There is overflow parking near the turnoff for Big Sandy Lodge.

Also due to its popularity, traditional backcountry pooping etiquette of burying your poop and toilet paper has degraded the water quality of many pristine alpine streams and lakes, and bathroom litter is often noticed around campsites. Please consider packing it out.

If your hungry after your trip, head a mile down the road to Big Sandy Lodge for a burger and beer. They are open Thursday-Monday & Holidays from Opening Day through Labor Day Weekend from 11am to 8pm or last call.

Description

The initial five and a half miles of this trail are mostly level and only slightly ascending at times as you follow Big Sandy River up to the northern side of Big Sandy Lake. The trail skirts by some beautiful meadows where the Big Sandy River lazily meanders and granite cliffs start to appear as you get closer to Big Sandy Lake where there are some beautiful sunsets to be had if you stick around until sundown. Big Sandy Lake is a great spot to stop for a snack, fish, and spend your first night. Camping is available all around the lake - just be sure to camp at least 200 feet away from the lake. Fresh streams feeding Big Sandy Lake come from in the north-east, east, and south sides of the lake.

From the north side of the lake, you start switch-backing up through some steeper terrain and cross a stream on your way up to North Lake (also known as Lake 10105). The stream crossing is a good place to filter a bottle of water before continuing up to Jackass Pass. The terrain starts to get more difficult as it meanders in rocky terrain on the south side of North Lake, sometimes involving some short sections of scrambling. As you go around North Lake, you'll descend to its head below Mitchell Peak and then ascend again as you go around a rocky ridge. After a short but strenuous ascent, you'll reach a junction in the trail.

Either path you take from this junction will lead to Jackass Pass, but the path you choose should depend on where you want to camp in the Cirque of the Towers and how technical of a trail you can handle. If you take the path to the left (Climber's Trail), you'll end up at the higher bench in the Cirque of the Towers, but the trail involves hopping along boulders along the north edge of Arrowhead Lake, and steep third class involving some scrambling to the base of Warbonnet Peak. This trail is very difficult with a heavy pack. Once at the base of Warbonnet, follow the path east as it gently climbs over Jackass Pass and into the Cirque of the Towers. Great camping and access to water presents itself not too far down from the pass. If you choose the right path at the junction, the trail brings you to the far east side of Jackass Pass which is strategic if headed towards Lonesome Lake or the North Fork of the Popo Agie River. This trail is much smoother, but there is much more elevation gain/loss than the Climber's Trail, climbing up and over a knoll prior to climbing up and over Jackass Pass. It is possible to traverse north to the higher bench in the Cirque of the Towers from this side of Jackass Pass.

If day hiking from Big Sandy Lake, there are better views of the Cirque of Towers from the right (non-climbers) trail.

Great camping exists along the North Fork of the Popo Agie River and near Lonesome Lake. Camping is prohibited within a 1/4 mile of the lake and the water in the lake should not be used for drinking water. Half a century of use has impaired the water quality, resulting from defecation near the lake. Remember to pack it out!

Flora & Fauna

There are large amounts of wildflowers on this route including Fireweed, Columbine, Indian Paintbrush, etc. from late June through August. There are also plenty of squirrels and chipmunks, but not many other animals due of the high amount of traffic in the area.

Contacts

Shared By:

Tomsen Reed with improvements by Justin Bowen

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 28 votes

#336

Overall
  4.8 from 28 votes
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4 Star
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#16

in Wyoming

#336

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Photos

Big Sandy Lake sunset.
Aug 4, 2016 near Lander, WY
Alpine wildflowers below Cirque Of The Towers.
Aug 2, 2021 near Big Sandy, WY
A view of Sundance Pinnacle and North Lake (Lake 10105)
Jul 28, 2015 near Lander, WY
View of the Cirque through the lower pass to the west of Jackass Pass
Jul 28, 2015 near Lander, WY
Another view of the Cirque from along the trail up to the pass
Jul 28, 2015 near Lander, WY
Arrowhead Lake
Sep 25, 2022 near Big Sandy, WY

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 64 days ago
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Check-Ins

Sep 17, 2022
Thomas Kost
Sep 3, 2022
Cynthia Forcade
5 days backpacking Big Sandy Lodge to Big Sandy Lake with stops at Diamond Lake in and out, 2 nights at Big Sandy Lake, and a day hike to Cirque. 18mi
Jul 8, 2022
Ben Kirby
hiked in on 7/8 out on 7/10 16.6mi — 11h 00m
Sep 16, 2021
Private User
Aug 26, 2021
Marc Corona
Aug 25, 2021
Daniel Jenkins
Incredible hike to the Cirque. 17mi — 8h 40m
Aug 25, 2021
Marshall Berndt
Did it with Ryan. Amazing hike, got a gnarly blister 25.5mi — 72h 00m
Sep 2, 2020
James Zhao
4-day backpacking, big sandy TH-big sandy lake-jackass pass-lonesome lake-cirque of towers-texas pass-shadow lake-marms lake-dads lake-big sandy TH
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