With the world still in COVID chaos we thought our best option was a road trip out west. We discussed and decided a return trip to Wind River would be a good one. This trip was going to be a combination of day hikes and a backpack trip. The backpack trip would be in the Southern Winds returning (hopefully) to the camp site by the waterfall.
We really enjoyed our drive through Western Nebraska. A little bit of history, great views, blue skies and one quirky stop made for a great couple of days. Courthouse & Jail Rock south of Bridgeport, NEChimney rock west of Bridgeport, NEThe bluffs are 800 feet high and served as a landmark for travelers before GPS.Saddle Rock TrailGo west old manLeann at the top of the bluffsWANDERING WHYTES are going green! We are selling BLAZE and ordering one of these. Look at the size of those wheels!Good view of the bluffs from the Oregon Trail.Leann on the Oregon Trail, who knew it was paved?Daemonelix or Devil’s Corkscrew, great article below
More sunflowers than I have ever seen.This is why I love road trips, Leann saw CARHENGE on the map and we decided to go. Guy collected old cars and trucks from local farmers and built this in memory of his father. This place made me smile.Register Cliff State Historic Site. This was the first stop for most travelers on the Oregon Trail after leaving Fort Laramie, many carved their names into the rock.
Ayres Natural Bridge, this place was packedHell’s Half acre, we were hungry when we drove past, so we turned around and had lunch here. Name says half acre but actually it is 320 acres.
Sinks Canyon State ParkSinks had great trails with views of multiple waterfalls, heading back from the top I decided to catch my toe on a rock and did a face plant. I am so graceful
Backpacking part of the trip
Not an ideal place to get a flat. We got it changed and headed back to town for a spare, they didn’t have it so off we went to another town for the tire. Then back to get it mounted and finally made it back to the access road to find a place to camp. The manager of the tire store said the state put on crappy gravel from iron ore. During the last month he had 50 customers in with flat tires. He knew without me saying it where we got the flat. We did make it back to the access trail and was able to spend some time with our friend Aaron. We met him through a backpack club he started, he is now living his camper van dream. We had to park our car in a field about 1/4 mile from the trailhead. I could not believe how many people were there. We usually go later in the season to avoid the crowds so maybe this is typical for the area but I doubt it. The lot was packed but the trail was quiet.nice spot for lunchWe walked by a few people set up at camp and thought the one we wanted would be taken, nope. It pays to go off trail, what a great place to spend 3 relaxing nights.Waterfall by campEd and Anita enjoying the water
DAY HIKE # 1
Big Sandy LakeClear LakeEnd of Clear LakeHeading over the granite with running creek to Deep LakeAlmost to Deep LakeDeep LakeCliffs across the lake from our campsite, the lake is not named but Big Sandy River flows in one side and out the other
DAY HIKE #2
We are headed up to Jackass Pass for the dayMarmot, love to hear them whistle, we did not get a video but I found one on YouTube
Warrior PeaksLeann just below the pass, trail crapped out so we headed back to find a place for lunchEasy to see why the Winds are so popularThis is the boulder field we hiked down during our last visitArrows are pointing to climbers strung along the rock face, no thanks. We saw a lot of climbers headed into the cirqueHeading back to campLast view of Big Sandy as we were hiking back to the cars on the last day.
We had another great trip to the Winds, now all we had to do was drive home. No problem, it was only 1638 miles.
