August 11, 2021 → August 17, 2021 | More photos on Instagram: @ianjones.photo
The Wind River High Route (”WRHR”) is a 100 mile backcountry route in Wyoming’s Wind River Range. It follows the Continental Divide, going over 11 mountain passes and 3 mountain peaks, many alpine lakes, and even some glaciers.
When we were on the PCT in 2019, my hiking partner for the first half (Liam) introduced me to Andrew Skurka and his notorious backcountry routes. I knew that at some point in my life I would have the chance to do the Sierra & Yosemite High Routes (since they’re so accessible from San Francisco), but the WRHR seemed out of reach.
When I started hiking with Grizz & Parker on the second half of the PCT, we chatted about how amazing it would be to do the WRHR together, but finding a 2-week period when all 3 of us could take vacation seemed like a dream that would never materialize.
In the Spring of 2021, when the COVID pandemic seemed to be improving and the world was opening back up, Grizz texted us with tentative dates and we added Danny (another PCT ‘19 hiker that we had all met briefly in the Sierra) to the group. At the time, it felt impossible for me to take off 2 full weeks from my early-stage startup job. But this was really a once-in-a-lifetime trip, especially since Grizz was looking to start a family! So we made it happen...
The following is my trail journal, unfiltered and unedited. There’s even a food log at the end of each day! 😋
August 9, 2021