The Wind Rivers are a mountain range that extends for over 100 miles in western Wyoming. Known for its vast areas of rugged wilderness, the Wind River Range contains over 1.2 million acres of federal wilderness, dozens of 13,000+ foot mountain peaks, and enough area covered by glaciers to place Wyoming third amongst US states (behind Alaska and Washington) in total glaciated area. (Source: Bridger-Teton National Forest and Shoshone National Forest)

The limestone cavern where the Popo Agie "sinks" into the canyon.

A sign at the "Rise of the Sinks" explaining the phenomena.

The dark area on the left is where the Popo Agie reappears after several hundred yards of traveling beneath the surface.

Because of the extensive glaciation in the Wind River Range, the area has long been a study area for quaternary landforms. Dr. Eliot Blackwelder pioneered a significant portion of early quaternary study in the Wind Rivers, establishing the type localities for the Pinedale and Bull Lake glaciations. The Wind River Range continues to be a key area for scientific research.

Looking up Sinks Canyon towards Wind River Peak.

Note the prominent lateral moraines along the canyon walls.

Looking from "George" down at Camp Branson.

Our introduction to the Wind River Range came in Lander, a city on the eastern edge of the range. Just beyond Lander was Sinks Canyon, named for a unique formation that allows the Popo Agie River to disappear into the canyon wall in one area and reemerge a quarter mile downstream. We stayed for several nights at the Branson Field Laboratory, the University of Missouri's Geology Field Camp. The highlight of our Sinks Canyon experience was the day hike up onto the ridge. We hiked up to a high rock outcropping known as "George" and then proceeded along the ridge over some beautiful alpine terrain. We descended into the valley below the ridge and hiked our way back to camp, where we cooled off in the "swimmin' hole".

The group on top of "George".

Coming down across high alpine terrain.

From Camp Branson looking back up at "George".

After a few days in the Lander/Sinks Canyon area, we headed north to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. On our way return from the parks we followed the western side of the Wind River Range. After stopping in Pinedale to do laundry and get some food at the local supermarket/hardware store/taxidermy display shop (no kidding), we headed up towards Fremont Lake to do some hiking.

From the west side of the Wind River Range, north of Pinedale, WY

A wide-angle shot of most of the Wind River Range

Fremont Lake, a deep lake created during the last major glaciation.

Fremont Lake is a classic example of a lake created by the damming of water by glacial moraines. It is one of the deepest lakes in the country, and its depth helps give it a vivid blue color, much like Crater Lake in Oregon. Our plans were to hike from near Fremont Lake to points higher in the range, but knee-deep snow kept us from getting very far.

Brett enjoying the views with the Wind Rivers to the horizon.

Two alpine peaks separated by an arête, a glacial landform created by glacial erosion on both sides of the ridge

Believe it or not, it's true - there really is more precipitation on the windward side of the range than the leeward side. The snow was fun for play, but bad for hiking.