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Cirque of the Towers 3-Day Backpacking Loop – Wind River, WY

Last Updated: September 12, 2025
Dave Collins, a hiker standing in front of huge snowy mountain peaks with a big valley and a turquoise lake in the background in Nepal. By Dave Collins

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alpenglow on a granite craggy ridgeline reflecting over a lake

The Wind River Range in Wyoming is a place you truly have to see to believe. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true. Immense glacier-carved granite spires tower over crystal-clear lakes, rolling meadows, and fields blanketed by high-alpine wildflowers. It’s one of the most stunningly beautiful places we’ve ever seen. If you haven’t been to Wyoming’s Wind River Range, start planning a trip there now.

The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most iconic and easily accessible stretches of the Wind River Range and this 3-day itinerary is just barely enough to get a taste but fits well into an (extra) long weekend.

fall meadow with mountains in the distance in the wind river range
The VIEW NORTH TOWARDS PYRAMID LAKE & PYRAMID PEAK. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Highlights

  • No permits
  • Jaw-dropping Views
  • Easily Accessible
  • Seasonal Wildflowers
  • Immense Glacial-Carved Granite
  • Pristine Lakes & Rivers
  • Excellent Backcountry Fishing

Lowlights

  • Some Extremely Steep Climbs & Descents
  • Some “Off-trail” Navigation
  • No Campfires
  • Seasonal Bugs & Snow
a stormy snowy mountain scene in the cirque of the towers in the wind river range
this september trip into the cirque included a surprise wind and snow storm. – photo credit: meghan allsopp (cleverhiker.com)

Best Time To Travel

In general July-September is the best time to travel to this area. Snowpack is a key factor for trip planning in the Winds. Some years a heavy winter snowpack and early season storms will keep trails covered in snow well into July. In warmer years with lighter snowpack, June backcountry trips are possible. The same is true for autumn hiking – some years early snowstorms make this area inaccessible and other years it’s passable (but perhaps cold) into October.

July and August are usually great for wildflowers. That’s also the time when mosquitoes and biting flies will be the worst, though. So use a combination of permethrin on your clothing and a small amount of 30% DEET on exposed areas for full protection. Mid-August to mid-September is generally a great window for this area as well because crowds will be minimal and bugs will be gone.

Afternoon showers are common during the summer months in the Winds and thunder and hailstorms are also not out of the ordinary. There is a year-round possibility of snow here, so pay close attention to the weather and be prepared for any change in conditions.

a woman posing next to a sign on a trail that says texas pass in the bridger teton wilderness
Try to time your day so that you aren’t on top of a pass in the afternoon when lightning and thunderstorms typically roll through. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Difficulty

Difficulty depends on your experience, physical fitness, pack weight, & weather conditions. This is not a technically demanding hike, but there are a few good climbs and some basic off-trail navigation along the way. For most people, this loop is moderately difficult. Some sections are quite easy, and some sections are a little tricky and physically demanding.

As always, the heavier your backpack is, the harder your hike will be. So do yourself a favor and pack light. For lightweight hiking tips and gear recommendations, check out our Lightweight Basics Video Series and Gear Guides.

sunset clouds over a granite ridge in wyoming
Sunset on the bACK SIDE OF THE CIRQUE FROM SHADOW LAKE. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Route Summary

This loop starts and ends at the Big Sandy Trailhead. A very small portion of this loop requires backtracking, so you’re on a new trail for the majority of your trip, which is ideal.

The total distance of the loop is about 24 miles, making it a great 2-4 day trip depending on your hiking style and fitness. Part of this loop (the section over Texas Pass) is technically “off trail,” so the exact distance of the loop is tough to pin down. The “off-trail” section is not marked on the map, but there is a trail and rock cairns to follow. The route along the off-trail section is not always as easy to follow as the official trail, but it is still well defined. That said, I’d definitely carry a good map and compass and know how to use them.

Big Sandy Trailhead (9,100 Ft) To Shadow Lake (10,300 Ft) – 10.9 Miles

Gradually gain 1,200ft of elevation through gentle and picturesque terrain. Pass by Mirror Lake, Dad’s Lake, and Marm’s Lake before making the turn-off to Shadow Lake. There are ample opportunities for camping and side trips along this less-traveled side of the loop.

a backpacker looking out at a large grassy alpine meadow on the cirque of the towers backpacking loop
the views keep us coming back to the winds as often as we can. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Shadow Lake (10,300 Ft) To Texas Pass (11,500 Ft) – About 2 Miles

After Shadow Lake, the official trail ends, and you’ll travel “off trail.” There is still a faint “goat” trail to follow, but keep your wits about you. Travel along the North side of Shadow Lake and make a short climb to Billy’s Lake (unnamed on the map). Travel along the northwest side of this lake and continue up the valley. Continue your gradual climb to Barren Lake (also unnamed on the map). Pass along the southern edge of this lake to find the fourth lake in this series, Texas Lake (unnamed as well). From Texas Lake (10,750 ft) you’ll have a short but steep climb south to the top of Texas Pass (11,500 ft).

backpacker posing on a pass above two lakes in a rocky granite area
The approach to Texas Pass is stunning and a little slow-going over rubble/scree slopes. -photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Texas Pass (11,500 Ft) To Lonesome Lake (10,200 FT) – About 1 mile

From the top of Texas Pass, you’ll get your first view of the Cirque of the Towers. Pingora Peak, a popular climb, is the large spire set in front of the Cirque. Descend along the loosely marked trail towards the western shore of Lonesome Lake. There is no camping allowed within ¼ mile of Lonesome Lake.

The main camping area for the Cirque is located a short climb above Lonesome Lake to the southwest. There are lots of little loose unmarked trails throughout this picturesque area where campsites (and campers) are common. For a short sidetrip, head east along the official trail to Lizard Head Meadows (about 2 miles).

a backpacker looking at the wind river range in montana
It’s easy to see why this area is so loved. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Lonesome Lake (10,200 FT) To Jackass Pass (10,750 Ft) – About 1 Mile

The official trail can be found to the east of Lonesome Lake and makes a moderate ascent to Jackass Pass. If you camp in the area above Lonesome Lake to the southwest, there is an alternate route that goes to a lower unmarked pass to the southwest of Jackass Pass. This is the most common route for those camping in the Cirque. After crossing the unmarked pass, the trail boulder hops along the west side of Arrowhead Lake (the official trail is on the east side) and meets up with the official trail south of Arrowhead Lake.

mountains during alpenglow reflected in lonesome lake in the cirque of the towers
lonesome lake is a bit of a misnomer because of how popular this stunning area is. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Jackass Pass (10,750 Ft) To Big Sandy Lake (9,700 Ft) – About 2.4 Miles

From Jackass Pass (or the lower unmarked pass to the southwest) the well-marked trail descends and eventually hits a series of switchbacks that lead down to Big Sandy Lake. Big Sandy is a picturesque and easily accessible lake, making it a popular choice for camping. It is a good spot for setting up a basecamp for day trips in the surrounding area, but it is far from secluded.

a big lake with sandy shores sits in front of large granit peaks in the distance make up part of the wind river range
big sandy lake. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Big Sandy Lake (9,700 Ft) To Big Sandy Trailhead (9,100 Ft) – 5.6 Miles

The walk from Big Sandy Lake is well-traveled and gentle. For a less traveled and more picturesque route, take the trail that goes to Diamond Lake and V Lake. This route will add .4 miles and no elevation gain to your trek. There are a couple of decent camping opportunities along this route as well.

a backpacker looking at the cirque of the towers
this is a stunning loop in all directions. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Getting There

The Big Sandy Trailhead is where this loop hike starts and ends. This is a popular trailhead because it’s the best access point for the Cirque of the Towers and Pyramid Lake. Getting to this trailhead will require 27 miles of dirt road driving. The last 10 miles are pretty rough with lots of potholes. Our low-riding sedan made it to the trailhead, but it was slow going.

Be sure to have maps downloaded on your phone to use in airplane mode or take screenshots and write down the directions to the Big Sandy Trailhead. Although there are signs to the trailhead/campsite, it can still be confusing, and you won’t have any phone signal once you get out there.

a trail goes through a meadow that a backpacking walks on heading toward granite towers of the wind river range
the road to start this trek is slow going but well worth the climb to quickly get into the alpine. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Solitude

The Cirque of the Towers is one of the most popular destinations in the Wind River Range. You won’t be alone on this route. It is also a popular climbing area.

While the traffic in the Cirque can be heavy at times (summer weekends in particular), the terrain is good for tucking away a tent in a hidden camp spot, so you won’t feel like you’re camping on top of other hikers.

In addition, the first section of this loop (Big Sandy to Shadow Lake) sees a lot less traffic. Many other routes are accessed through Big Sandy. We didn’t feel overwhelmed by the number of other hikers and climbers, and the scenery is well worth it. If you’re looking for complete solitude, there are less popular trails out there, but on the whole, there are many, many moments of quiet to be found.

backpackers setting up camp in the rocks of the wind river range
while some areas are busiers than others, the rock boulders do a good job of hiding campsites. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Elevation

The Wind River Range runs along the Continental Divide and boasts some high elevations. The highest point on this loop is Texas Pass at 11,500 feet above sea level. Even the low point along this trip (Big Sandy Trailhead) is at 9,100 feet, so you’ll be at high elevation for the duration of the trip.

Know the symptoms of altitude sickness and know what to do if you encounter it. It’s never a good idea to travel from a low elevation to a high elevation like this without a few days to acclimate. Check out our high elevation hiking and lightning storms guide for more info.

a backpacker posing in front of a clear turquoise lake and big granite mountain on the cirque of the towers backpacking loop
no shortage of “can you take my picture” vistas. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Regulations

  • Groups of 15 or fewer
  • No camping within ¼ mile of Lonesome Lake (the lake is contaminated according to the EPA, please pack out your poop and drink water from sources other than Lonesome Lake and its outlet)
  • No camping within 200ft of lakes and trails
  • No campfires
  • No biking
  • No motor vehicles or motor tools
  • No damaging live vegetation
  • LNT – If you pack it in, pack it out
signs saying to camp away from trails and rivers in the wind river range
Please respect the rules and help preserve this beautiful area. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Maps & Guidebooks

  • Hiking Wyoming’s Wind River Range – This is an excellent book with pictures, highlights, and detailed descriptions of hiking trails throughout the Winds. It’s not specifically designed for backpacking trips, but it does reference good multi-day trips and tells you how to string together hiking trails for longer trips. This is a very useful book that I highly recommend for this trip and others.
  • Wind River South Range Map – We chose this map over the Southern Wind River Range Hiking Map because it was made more recently, is more durable, has shaded topo relief, and is easier to read. It’s an excellent map that I highly recommend.
  • FarOut App – Continental Divide Trail Wyoming – Cirque of the Towers is a recognized alternate route along the Continental Divide Trail so it appears in the FarOut CDT guide. Though the entire Wyoming section of this app covers far more than you need for this particular trip, you benefit from all of the waypoints and comments left by CDT thru-hikers from earlier in the season.
a trail cut in on an alpine meadow hillside with a glittery lake below and granite towers in the background
this loop is just a sliver of the wind river range and we recommend getting a guide book and exploring more of its beauty. – photo credit: dave collins (Cleverhiker.com)

Water

Water is plentiful along this trail and is easily accessible from lakes and streams. Carry enough water to get from one source to the next, as well as a lightweight water purifier (see guide to the best water filters).

a river running down from granite mountains on the cirque of the towers backpacking loop
no shortage of water on this loop, but please be sure to treat your water because the area is contaminated from all the human doo doo. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Bear Spray & Food Storage

There are bears in the Wind River Range – both grizzly bears and black bears. So protection and food storage are critical. Other people can be a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, the voices and sounds of passing backpackers may keep bears away from the immediate trail corridor. However, more people equals more food and increases the likelihood that someone near you will be storing it improperly. It’s better to take the correct precautions just in case.

We carried bear spray when hiking in the Winds because there are grizzly bears in the area. We knew it was highly unlikely that we would see any, but if we did, we wanted to be prepared to protect ourselves. Bear spray is an essential item when hiking in grizzly country. The chances of a negative encounter are rare, but it can save your life if you have it and know how to use it.

Food storage is another important consideration. Make sure you know how to hang a bear bag properly or carry a food storage container. Bear canisters and Ursacks are the most effective storage methods and the easiest to use. There are no food storage requirements for this area, but you should always store your food properly. That will protect against bears and keep small critters from chewing through your spendy backpacking gear.

reflections of a mountain on a lake near the cirque of the towers in the wind river range
Pre-dawn view over V Lake. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

Gear List

Make sure to check out our Ultimate Backpacking Checklist so you don’t forget something important.

Below you’ll find our current favorite backpacking gear. If you want to see additional options, our curated gear guides are the result of many years of extensive research and hands-on testing by our team of outdoor experts.

BACKPACK

TENT

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT

SLEEPING PAD

CAMP KITCHEN

WATER & FILTRATION

CLOTHING

FOOTWEAR & TRACTION

NAVIGATION

FOOD

FIRST-AID & TOOLS

MISCELLANEOUS

Additional Resources

01
/04
lake below granite peaks in the cirque of the towers on a sunny day

the granite and glittery lakes is favorite of ours. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

a backpacker hikes through a meadow next to a lake in the wind river range on a partly sunny day

even the gradual approach is at 9000 ft. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

the outlet of lonesome lake in the morning

lonesome lake is stunning and no camping is allowed. We also suggest packing out your #2 because of the contamination problems the area is having. – photo credit: dave collins (cleverhiker.com)

a large blue and green lake below a massive granite peak

stunning granite and lakes are a dime a dozen in the winds. – photo credit: dave collins (Cleverhiker.com)

Why trust us?

We understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously.

  • Our recommendations are completely independent and based on hands-on experience.
  • We test outdoor gear for a living – we’ve logged over 20,000 trail miles and 1,000 nights in the wilderness.
  • Our team has thru-hiked some of the most iconic long trails, including the Continental Divide Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, Colorado Trail, Long Trail, Oregon Coast Trail, Arizona Trail, Pinhoti Trail, Superior Hiking Trail, as well as extensive peak bagging, and international treks.
  • We field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.
  • We travel to industry trade shows to stay up-to-date on product innovations.
  • We continuously update our guides throughout the year and when new products launch.
  • We treat recommendations to our readers as if they were for our family and friends.
  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to feedback. If you think we’ve missed a worthy product or got something wrong, we’d love to know about it.

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