Wind Rivers Fire

[ScottyS]

So,

I had everything planned for my backpacking adventure back to the Winds again, and planned on hiking the Spring Creek trailhead... However, today I learned (I'm a little slow I guess), that there is a massive fire in that area. The following trailheads are closed: New Fork Lakes, Long Lakes, SPRING CREEK, and Willow Creek....

Needless to say, that hampers my planned hike somewhat... I wanted to know if anyone had any last minute suggestions as to another trailhead to hit out of Pinedale... I've considered Elkhart, and heading up to the Elbow lake area. We'll only be there for four days, so something within 10 to 15 miles of the trailhead for our base camp would be useful... Any suggestions?

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/1440/

That is the link for the Wind Rivers incident information. Any help is appreciated, and feel free to PM or email if you prefer...

[Threshershark]

Green River Lakes is always a good choice, with a variety of destinations both close and far.

Nice view from the kickoff point:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t181/threshershrk/LowerGRToon-1.jpg

[spotter]

through his profile on the site. He just returned from the Winds and would have up-to-date information.

[ScottyS]

Thanks for the advice... Thresher, I saw that picture once before (you probably posted it), and it looks like it is worth the trip. As for the advice to contact Lewis, he shot me his email address, and I sent him an email awhile back regarding a previous post on the Winds, and I didn't hear back from him (he might have just been fairly busy or something)...

I think we're just going to stick to the edge of the fire closure area and hike Elkhart up the Pole Creek trail... It will be fairly crowded I'm sure, but I'm itching to hit up a lake about 14 miles in that has some "expensive" trout...

[spotter]

...As for the advice to contact Lewis, he shot me his email address, and I sent him an email awhile back regarding a previous post on the Winds, and I didn't hear back from him (he might have just been fairly busy or something)...

He is recently engaged so the "fairly busy" is a fair assessment although "fairly randy" might be more accurate. ;) Testosterone overload can fry more than a few synapses. Drop him a line again.

[spotter]

You have an old visitor message from Lewiskm3 dated 6/13/2008 that says: "Scott, email me about the Winds at kevdoggl@hotmail.com." He has been transitioning to a gmail account as well so maybe your message never got through?

[ScottyS]

Yep, he may just never have gotten it... I've checked in with a few other friends that go up at least once every two years, and got some input from them... I've got a pretty good idea of where we're headed. Hell, worst case scenario, I cruise back down and fish the Green below Fontenelle and try and nail myself some big browns...

[cmondra23]

Just wondering if you guys ended up hitting the Elkhart trailhead. My brothers and I are going there this coming weekend. Would like an update if you have one. I hope we don't freeze our A**es off.... it's supposed to start getting cold this week.

Anyway, any info would be helpful.

Thanks!
Corey