Wind River Reservation Loop, 2016
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2019 3:23 pm
TR: South Fork Bull Lake Creek: Loop from St. Lawrence
Aug 1-7, 2016.
The old trip report no longer shows photos (thank Photobucket for that!) so here is a revised one since a question came up recently about the route.
The route is best done at low water and post-black fly hatch, generally after the first week in August. Any driving, walking, hiking, backpacking on the Wind River Indian Reservation requires a fee permit, which is also your fishing license. Map and GPS location of trails on the Reservation are not always accurate. Best to follow the most used tread, keeping track of where you are.
Day 1: St. Lawrence Basin TH to Wilson Creek Lakes.
9.1 miles, 6.2 hours, 2,870 ft. gain
I left Lander just before 6AM, reaching St. Lawrence TH at 7:30. I parked at the end of the 2wd road and walked to the end of the 4wd road, where there is also a few small spaces for parking at the “Roadless Area” boundary. The trail is marked with a sign nailed to a tree. After a short climb the trail drops to cross St. Lawrence Creek, which can be hopped across on rocks after peak flows. I quickly climbed to “The Meadows”, filling water bottles from a small creek, and climbing to Entigo Pass. After dropping out of the wind, I took a break.
I dropped to Entigo Creek, waded across, and continued to the junction with the Heebeecheeche Trail, which is hardly noticeable, since you get on the Wilson Creek Meadow Trail without knowing it. The trail has been slightly re-routed so follow the most used path, not exactly what is shown on the map (or GPS). The creeks were exceptionally low only requiring one wading, instead of the normal three.
Shortly before reaching Enos Lake, I left the trail and aimed for Lake 10,331, the logical camp for the next day. If you want to fish and linger in Wilson Creek Lakes, there are better campsites near the outlet of Enos Lake or at Tigee Lake. I would have loved to stay here and fish, but the agenda on this trip was to find a route over Windy Ridge and quickly get into the South Fork of Bull Lake Creek. I found a nice timbered campsite on the north shores, where a little nearby stream provided good water.
Arriving at 3PM I had time for a little fishing. Having observed fish rising in a pond passed earlier, I returned, and in 15 minutes caught three fish about 12 inches. I cleaned the fish and put them in a gallon zip-lock and headed back to camp. While fishing, two tents popped up on the opposite shoreline of my site, but I never saw the occupants. After cooking dinner and taking a few photos I washed up and jumped into the tent. Getting rid of fish smells is critical as this was grizzly country. Thankfully I saw no bear sign, only that of elk.
Aug 1-7, 2016.
The old trip report no longer shows photos (thank Photobucket for that!) so here is a revised one since a question came up recently about the route.
The route is best done at low water and post-black fly hatch, generally after the first week in August. Any driving, walking, hiking, backpacking on the Wind River Indian Reservation requires a fee permit, which is also your fishing license. Map and GPS location of trails on the Reservation are not always accurate. Best to follow the most used tread, keeping track of where you are.
Day 1: St. Lawrence Basin TH to Wilson Creek Lakes.
9.1 miles, 6.2 hours, 2,870 ft. gain
I left Lander just before 6AM, reaching St. Lawrence TH at 7:30. I parked at the end of the 2wd road and walked to the end of the 4wd road, where there is also a few small spaces for parking at the “Roadless Area” boundary. The trail is marked with a sign nailed to a tree. After a short climb the trail drops to cross St. Lawrence Creek, which can be hopped across on rocks after peak flows. I quickly climbed to “The Meadows”, filling water bottles from a small creek, and climbing to Entigo Pass. After dropping out of the wind, I took a break.
I dropped to Entigo Creek, waded across, and continued to the junction with the Heebeecheeche Trail, which is hardly noticeable, since you get on the Wilson Creek Meadow Trail without knowing it. The trail has been slightly re-routed so follow the most used path, not exactly what is shown on the map (or GPS). The creeks were exceptionally low only requiring one wading, instead of the normal three.
Shortly before reaching Enos Lake, I left the trail and aimed for Lake 10,331, the logical camp for the next day. If you want to fish and linger in Wilson Creek Lakes, there are better campsites near the outlet of Enos Lake or at Tigee Lake. I would have loved to stay here and fish, but the agenda on this trip was to find a route over Windy Ridge and quickly get into the South Fork of Bull Lake Creek. I found a nice timbered campsite on the north shores, where a little nearby stream provided good water.
Arriving at 3PM I had time for a little fishing. Having observed fish rising in a pond passed earlier, I returned, and in 15 minutes caught three fish about 12 inches. I cleaned the fish and put them in a gallon zip-lock and headed back to camp. While fishing, two tents popped up on the opposite shoreline of my site, but I never saw the occupants. After cooking dinner and taking a few photos I washed up and jumped into the tent. Getting rid of fish smells is critical as this was grizzly country. Thankfully I saw no bear sign, only that of elk.