Titcomb Basin Details (Map, Weather, Etc)
Please see Backpacking Program Feature - Reducing weight, and much more
Water Purification How to and Care/Maintenance
Cooking Program Feature - See Trail Food Hiking/Backpacking section
Overview of the trip (Video Flyover)
Schedule (Rigedly flexible as always)
Wed, Aug 10th
Meet at school at 6:30 AM
4-hour drive time to Pinedale
11:00 Stop at Ranger Office, get lunch, etc
30-minute drive to Pole Creek Trailhead (Elkhart Park)
Hike To Sapphire Lake (6 1/2 miles)
Thu, Aug 11th
Hike to Island lake (5 miles)
Setup Camp, eat lunch. Secure smellables. Trees at Island Lake are described as stunted.
Hike Titcomb Basin (out-and-back total 8.8 miles)
You could probably just take snacks and eat dinner on our way back, kind of up to you.
Fri, Aug 12th
We leave the crowds today.
Soon after leaving Island lake, take the CDT over Lester Pass.
We will be passing the Cook Lakes, If everyone is looking for additional adventure, could take a loop through them.
The final destination is Pole Creek Lakes (7 Miles)
Sat, Aug 13th
Hike out (8.6 Miles)
We should be out around lunchtime. Get lunch.
4-hour drive home. Probably arrive around 6:00
Pack List
See the Summer Pack List
Meals (3 dinners, 3 breakfasts, 2 lunches)
Money for Lunches before and after the trail.
Will need to carry food (dinner), water, and 10 essentials on Thursday for out-and-back into the Titcomb basin.
Bear Canister (You can borrow free from the Pinedale Ranger District office, make sure you leave room for it or bring a way to strap it to your pack.)
If you are going to hang food the first night, bring cord (40 feet or so) and bag.
Bear Spray if desired
A bag with clean clothes, snacks, etc. to leave in the car.
Example Menu (what I am bringing) Mountain House(MH)
Breakfasts: MH Biscuits and Sausage(620 Cals), 2XInstant Oatmeal(4 packets 600cals) put in Ziplock
Lunches: MH Chili Mac (575 Cals)., MH Beef Stroganoff (625 Cals)
Dinner: MH Lasagna with Meat Sause (600 Cals), Kraft Mac-n-Cheese(750 Cals) box emptied into Ziplock. 4 Tortialls and 2 Tuna Creations (440 Cals) I have low carb Tortialls - Might switch to regular which would help get my calories up.
Snacks: Dried Fruit, Fruit Pie, Jerky, Energy Drink Mixes, Bone Broth, Cheese
Food Thoughts:
Probably burning 3000+ calories per day so don't think 1000 calories is going to be enough. You also don't want to overdo it because there is nothing worse than carrying unnecessary weight. For the MH meals above, I show the calories if I eat all 2 or 2.5 servings.
You should be able to hang food the first night but probably not at Island Lake. If you do hang the first night, your bear canister will only need to hold 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 1 dinner.
It does take up less space to put MH into Ziplocks. The MH bags are bulky and heavier. Even opening them (throwing away the top - useless garbage) and squeezing out any air inside them can reduce size and weight. Opening them does increase the scents though.
I am using the BV450 Bear Vault canister. It is 7 liters. It is tight but I am sure after taking dinner and snacks out from the first day, I will be able to fit everything.
Ranger Communications
2/22/2022 The itinerary looks appropriate. You will be granted a permit for the dates you have submitted (Aug. 10- 13, 2022), so go ahead and make your preparations. I don’t start plotting itineraries until after April 1, so I won’t be able to provide you the exact campsite locations until I begin that process. But, you are one of the first I have received for the 2022 season, and I would be very surprised if I had to alter any of the locations. If necessary, I will find an appropriate location within a mile of your first choice, and be in touch with you prior to moving your group.
6/1/2022 Attached is your permit to bring your group into the Bridger Wilderness.
7/25/2022 Glad you are thinking about canisters for Island Lake. We have the Garcia model available for folks to borrow. They are 12 inches tall and 8 inches in diameter and weigh 2.7 pounds. We typically do not run out. But if for some reason we do run out, The Great Outdoor Shop here in Pinedale also has them available for rent. Here at the Forest Service we just require a credit card for deposit. We do not charge your card unless you don’t bring the canisters back. (SMC - Note: the Garcia holds 10 liters)
8/1/2022 There is a big brown bin the back NE corner of the building for after-hours return.