This Hidden Destination In Wyoming Is A Secret Only Locals Know About
Wyomingites like to stay away from the tourist attractions and enjoy the untouched beauty of the land. Some get lost in the Wind River Mountain Range to get away from it all. Here, there is a beautiful lake that the locals like to keep a secret. And yes, I know it isn’t much of a secret now. Remember to respect the land if you visit.
Island Lake is hidden away in the Wind River Mountain Range in the Bridger Wilderness nestled in the shadow of Fremont Peak. And oh, what a gorgeous destination!
The reason it's such a secret is because it's not easily accessible. The hike to the lake is approximately 10 miles. The best way to access the trail is from the Elkhart Park trailhead which is north of Pinedale.
The first 4 miles of the trail leads hikers through a relatively dense forest. Photographer's Point is at mile 5 and offers great views of the surrounding landscape. Then the trail descends past lakes and a small pass.
Island Lake is a great place to use as a base. From there you can enjoy other hikes, camping, fishing and climbing in a quiet and peaceful environment, unless, there are other locals there too!
There are several other hiking opportunities from Island Lake. Titcomb Basin is an extremely scenic 30-minute hike. Head off towards the east shore of the lake, pass a small beach area and waterfalls. When you reach a fork, left will lead to Titcomb Basin and right will lead to Indian Basin.
Fishing is another popular activity here. Species of fish that you are likely to find in these high altitude lakes are cutthroat trout, brook trout and golden trout.
If you are really the adventurous type, this is a great area for climbing and when I say climbing I mean tackling Fremont Peak. Hike to Indian Basin, leave the trail and head northwest. Go for 2 miles and ascend the saddle. From here, there is a steep climb to the summit.
This is a hidden spot where you can get away and really enjoy the peace and quiet. When you live in a state that attracts around 4 million tourists a year, thank goodness these 'secret' spots still exist.
Do you know of any other ‘secret’ spots in Wyoming that locals enjoy?
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