Gannett Peak via the Glacier Trail

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The Glacier Trail takes you through the remote north-eastern part of the Wind River Range, crossing high alpine flats, meandering through beautiful cliques, and following the Dinwoody drainage up mountain meadows and to its source - the Dinwoody Glacier and Gannett Peak. The glaciers surrounding Gannett Peak (Gannet and Dinwoody Glaciers) are among the largest in the Rocky Mountains south of Canada. The trip can have the objective of summitting Gannett Peak which involves some technical alpine climbing such as glacier travel and steep snow, or the trip can reach its high point at the Gannett Peak basecamp. Either way, the Glacier Trail provides wild and remote characteristics far different from the routes experienced in the southern Winds.

This route is very remote. Don't forget to bring bear spray, hang your food, and a satellite phone or transponder if accessible. If you plan on climbing Gannett Peak, refer to Joe Kelsey's Climbing and Hiking in the Wind River Range and Mountain Project for technical beta. Bring the proper gear and know how to use it. The Gooseneck route is not very technical, but climbing the mountain still requires a quiver of alpine climbing experience.

I've climbed Gannett Peak both from the Glacier Trail and via Bonney Pass, and I believe the Glacier Trail offers a better experience for solitude, beauty, and adventure. This is a 3 - 7 day trip, depending on the amount of exploring and relaxing to be done. Start at the Old Glacier Trail at Trail Lake (Lake Louise Trailhead) outside of Dubious, WY. The trail begins with some moderate switch-backing, crosses Torrey Creek by bridge, and then ascends the East Torrey Creek drainage. At the trail junction for Bomber Falls (~3.2 miles) take the Glacier Trail which takes many switch backs to a large alpine flat. You may want to put on a wind breaker and fleece mid-layer at this point, its about to get very windy. The trail crosses the alpine flat for 3 miles, staying just under 11,000 feet above sea level. The alpine windy and cold experience will dig into your bones! The trail descends down into a gorgeous cirque (~11 miles from the trailhead), and its a good place to make camp.

Continue on the Glacier Trail down Honeymoon Creek past many lakes as it looses elevation to a more comfortable climate and finally reaches Dinwoody Creek at its lowest point. You are now in the major drainage of the Dinwoody Glacier. Just a mile up the trail is the junction for Downs Fork. If time is on your side, the Downs Fork Creek drainage is an excellent excursion (~ extra 5 miles round trip) from the normal route, offering great camping and mountain views. If not interested, Gannet Peak basecamp is only 10 miles away, and the mountain will soon become visible in the distance. There is plenty of camping along and within the meadows that open the Dinwoody Creek drainage.

As you reach the head of the valley, you'll notice a major branch in the drainage, split by the West Sentinel's east ridge, Gannet Peak seen above. The right valley contains Gannett Glacier and Gannett Creek, the left Dinwoody Glacier and Dinwoody Creek. This last meadow with these stunning views is a great high point for backpackers seeking a more relaxing trip. From here the basecamp (~11,000 feet) is about 2 miles of steeper, but well maintained trail. You'll find rock shelters, "bivies", which mark base camp.

If you have the objective of climbing Gannett Peak via the Gooseneck route, refer to Joe Kelsey's Climbing and Hiking in the Wind River Range and Mountain Project for technical beta. If not, there is plenty of exploring around the Dinwoody Glacier, but be mindful of crevasses and moving boulders on and around the glacier.

Enjoy these raw alpine moments!