Indian Pass and the Divide
Jackson, WY
5.0 (13 reviews)Trip Highlights
- High Peaks & Cirques
- Alpine Lakes
- Stunning Views
- Mountain Solitude
- Pristine Campsites
- Demanding, Adventurous Trekking
- Dramatic Night Skies
Description
This trip is for the adventurer who wants to experience incredible country, see as much as they can, and do it over a thoroughly exciting 5 days. Despite being only five days in length, this trip feels more like a seven day trip because of the amount of country we see and breadth of experiences. Be ready to hike big, eat big, and enjoy big on this one!
Our adventure begins in Jackson Hole, where we pick you up at your hotel for a shuttle to the trailhead (about 2 hours). Our route takes us along creeks, past towering cliffs, and then into the high country. We reach the alpine quickly on this trip and stay high for most of the trip (above 10,000 feet). We’ll set up camp the first night on the shores of an alpine lake, and the second night deep in the wilderness with fantastic views of the towering summits of the Continental Divide. On Day 3 we’ll leave camp set hike up to Indian Pass for unbelievable views from the spine of the Rocky Mountains. We’ll be staring up at 13,000+ foot peaks like Jackson Peak and Fremont Peak, and we’ll be looking down onto a series of glaciers that include Knife Point Glacier and Bull Lake Glacier.
The Wildland Trekking Company operates under a permit issued by the Bridger-Teton National Forest, and is an equal opportunity service provider.
$1895 Per Person
DIFFICULTY LEVEL 4
Scale of 1-5. 1 is least difficult; 5 is most difficult
This trip has generally moderate distances and elevation gains/losses, but the high altitude, rocky terrain, and constant up and down on our trails make this trip strenuous. Also as a 5-day trip, backpack weights are significant.
Hiking Distances:
7-9 mi
Backpack Weight:
35-45 lbs
Terrain:
Moderately Rugged
Max Daily Elev. ↑↓:
2000 ft
Heights Exposure:
Moderate
PHYSICAL DEMANDS OF THIS TRIP
- Hiking uphill or downhill with a 35-45 lb backpack for 5-7 hours
- Maintaining balance and footing on moderately rugged terrain
- Hiking with occasional, moderate heights exposure
SOLITUDE LEVEL 2
1 least solitude, 5 most solitude
We rate this Wind River backpacking trip a solitude 3. You can expect to have hours of solitude at a time, and to see several other groups of hikers per day.
MINIMUM OF 2 GUESTS
If a trip does not reach the minimum number of guests, you may choose to transfer to another trip date or another trip, be refunded your payments in full, or you may have the choice to pay a supplemental fee to run the trip with fewer guests. We make the final determination for these trips 4-6 weeks before the departure date, and notify guests of changes and options immediately.
Private Trips
Travel in perfect company by booking a private trip exclusively for your group!
Our sliding scale for private trips is based on the final number of guests in your group. Rates are per person and do not include sales tax, national park fees or guide gratuity. The final rate is based on the actual number of guests on the trip and may adjust based on cancellations or additions.
Please Note: you can also enjoy a private trip at our normal scheduled rates by filling any empty tour to capacity. However, if group members drop from the tour those spots will automatically become available on our website for instant booking. By purchasing a private trip at the rates listed below, your trip will remain exclusive to your group regardless of cancellations.
Private Rates FOr This Trip
- 2 People: Rate x 2.5
- 3 People: Rate x 1.75
- 4 People: Rate x 1.25
- 5+ People: Rate x 1.15
*all rates are per person
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ITINERARY
Day 1
- Shuttle to Trailhead: 2 hours
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1300 feet
For this Wind River Range backpacking trip pick you up at your hotel in Jackson Hole for an early start on Day 1. It’s a beautiful 2-hour drive to our trailhead at Elkhart Park. Our hike takes us along a beautiful mountain stream (Faler Creek), below towering cliffs at the top of which is Photographers Point (10,095 feet), and then up to near treeline. We rise above 10,000 feet and for the last 2 hours of our hike have constant, fantastic views of the Continental Divide. We’ll camp tonight at one of the Wind River Range’s beautiful high country lakes, Hobbs Lake, where we’ll set up camp and enjoy a hearty dinner before turning in for a peaceful night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1500 feet
On Day 2 we’ll have a relatively relaxed morning and big breakfast as we break camp. Although not the pinnacle of this trip, today could easily be the highlight of nearly any other mountain trip in Wyoming. We stay over 10,000 feet for the duration of the day, passing multiple alpine lakes including Seneca Lake, Little Seneca Lake, and Island Lake. The soaring peaks of the Continental Divide beckon us throughout the day, foreshadowing the adventure that awaits us on Day 3. We’ll set up camp at one of several options, all of which are on the shores of alpine lakes or streams with stunning views of the Divide.
Day 3
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
Today is an absolutely incredible day! We’ll leave our camp set up and hike with only day packs. Our destination is Indian Pass (12,120 feet), a low point on the Continental Divide that offers phenomenal views of the Wind River Range and mountains to the north. Our route takes us past more alpine lakes into a basin below the Divide. We’ll head up toward the pass, with Jackson Peak (13,517 feet) and Fremont Peak (13,745 feet) towering over us. Eventually we’ll make it to Indian Pass.
The pass is an extraordinary vantage point to look down both sides of the Divide. We’ll have a bird’s eye view of the lakes, creeks and meadows we hiked through to reach the pass, and we’ll be looking down the east side into incredible mountain cirques, some with glaciers. Although they’re receding and much smaller than a century ago, we’ll have views of Knife Point Glacier, Bull Lake Glacier, Lower Fremont Glacier and Harrower Glacier. We’ll also have an amazing view of a razor-edge alpine ridge called Knife Point.
We’ll relax, snap pictures, eat lunch and eventually head back toward camp, knowing that this day is one we’ll never forget.
Day 4
- Hiking Mileage: 8.5 miles
- Elevation Gain/Loss: 1600 feet
Day 3 we’ll get an early start and head back the way we came in on Day 2. Again, we’ll stay high for the duration of the day, above 10,000 feet, and soak up views of the Continental Divide behind us and the western Wyoming plains in front of us. We’ll make camp at one of several pristine lakes.
Day 5
- Hiking Mileage: 7 miles
- Elevation Loss: 1200 feet
- Shuttle to Jackson Hole: 2 hours
Day 3 we’ll get an early start and head back the way we came in on Day 1. However, we’ll take a detour through Sweeney Lakes, which offer some fantastic new scenery for us without adding any mileage. Once back at the trailhead, we’ll shuttle back to Jackson Hole and the conclusion of our amazing 5-day trek.
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
TRIP DATES & BOOKING
AVAILABLE TO BOOK
This trip is available and bookable online! Click on the date to register now or contact us online to book through our award-winning customer service team!
GOING FAST
This trip has 1 or 2 spots remaining and is bookable online! Click on the date to book now or contact us online to book through customer service.
REQUEST A RESERVATION
This trip is exclusively booked through customer service due to logistics with lodging, permits, staffing, availability, or something else. Please contact us online or call us at 800-715-HIKE (4453) to request a reservation.
Don't see your dates? Call us! We may be able to add new trip dates.
800-715-HIKE (4453)Trip Details
What's Included
- Top-of-the-line tent, backcountry sleeping pad and multi-day backpack
- High quality, synthetic sleeping bag (professionally laundered after every use) – or bring your own.
- Use of trekking poles
- All meals are included from breakfast the first day through lunch on the last day
- Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel in Jackson Hole, WY; Victor, ID or Driggs, ID
- Bear safety equipment including bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device (InReach Explorer or satellite phone)
What's Not Included
- Clothes, raingear, and footwear (see recommendations)
- Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
- Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
- Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about what to pack.
Meals: What To Expect
All of our hiking and backpacking tours include a diversity of tasty meals packed full of critical carbohydrates, proteins and fats. We carry foods that travel well in the backcountry – rice, pastas, lentils, beans, couscous, packaged meats, nuts, breads, oatmeal, granola, and more.
For optimal taste and energy, we supplement all our meals with spices, herbs, oils, cheeses, butter, sugar, and fruits and vegetables (fresh and dried). In addition, we provide you with with an assortment of trail mix, snacks, and dried fruits to eat at your own discretion.
We regularly accommodate vegan, vegetarian, kosher and non-gluten diets and will make adjustments for food allergies. These and other special dietary requests may require an additional fee.
Gear We Provide
We provide all group gear which includes the following:
- Deuter or Osprey backpacks
- Sierra Designs, Kelty or Big Agnes tents
- Sierra Designs, Big Agnes and Mountain Hardware synthetic-fill sleeping bags (or bring your own)
- Thermarest or Big Agnes sleeping pads
- Leki trekking poles
- Cooking stoves and cookware
- Bear spray cannisters and food-hanging gear
- Company-issued first-aid kit
- Emergency communication device(s)
Guest Packing List
When you register for this tour you’ll receive access to a printable, downloadable trip information packet with a detailed packing list specific to this trip (click here to see it now.) All trips require a sturdy pair of hiking shoes or hiking boots, rain gear, a recommended clothing system, a headlamp or flashlight, a hydration system (water bottles and/or bladder) and other items specific to each trip.
Additionally, some guests choose to bring their own sleeping bag. We supply high quality, synthetic fill bags that are professionally laundered after every trip. Synthetic fill is non-allergenic, insulates when damp and stands up well to repeated washings, but is heavier and bulkier than down. If you’re able to bring your own down sleeping bag, there are multiple benefits. If not, we’ve got you covered!
Trip Logistics
How do I Register?
Reserve your spot today! In the Trip Dates & Booking section of this page, the green and red dates are bookable online by simply clicking on the date, and blue dates must be booked through our customer service team for a variety of possible reasons. To email our customer service team, you can click here to get the ball rolling. Our adventure consultants will confirm availability, and if you’re ready to register we’ll email you a link to a registration profile. You’ll have 72 hours to complete your profile (and that of any dependents) and pay the deposit.
Feel free to call us for more info – we’re here 7 days a week!
Where Do We Meet?
At 5:00 PM the evening before Day 1, your guide will conduct a virtual orientation meeting (via conference call) at 5:00 PM to review the packing list, communicate the first day’s logistics and answer any last minute questions you have. Your guide will give you the phone number for this call during the pre-trip contact, approximately 10 days before your trip start date.
Early on the morning of Day 1 your guide will pick you up from your accommodations in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Driggs, Idaho; or Victor, Idaho.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel Details
This trip begins and ends in Jackson, WY, with pick-up also available in Driggs and Victor, ID.
You can fly into:
- Jackson Hole – some hotels and several transportation companies provide airport shuttles.
- Idaho Falls – small, more affordable airport; Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) offers 2 daily shuttles between Idaho Falls and Jackson.
- Salt Lake City – Salt Lake Express (208-656-8824) and Alltrans (800-652-9510) offer daily shuttles (4.5 hours). Advance reservations required.
Pre and Post-trip On Request Lodging
We secure limited amounts of pre and post trip lodging in Jackson, Wyoming as an optional add-on for guests of this trip. This lodging is on request, and is available on a first come, first serve basis. If interested, please reach out directly to our team to check availability.
Start/End Times
You can expect the first day’s pick-up time to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day no later than 7 PM.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Essential Eligibility Criteria (“EEC”) have been specifically identified to help you understand the skills and abilities necessary to participate on each Wildland trip, and they apply uniformly to all potential trip participants, irrespective of the presence or absence of any disability.
Once you identify a trip in which you may be interested, please carefully review the EEC and itinerary details. If after reviewing the EEC that apply to your desired trip, you determine you need an accommodation in order to meet the EEC, please contact us prior to registering to discuss your requested accommodation.
The EEC exist for your own safety and the safety and enjoyment of all participants. If you are unable to meet the EEC for the trip, with or without an accommodation, you are not eligible for that trip. If you register and arrive for a trip for which you do not meet the EEC, you will be disqualified from participation on the trip and will be dismissed or evacuated from the trip without a refund.
Guide Working Parameters
Guides are required to take 8 hours off each 24-hour period to sleep, recuperate, take personal/down time…etc. In addition, as part of the 8 hours off they must sleep/rest or be in their tents/rooms uninterrupted for a minimum of 5 hours each night. We ask guests to respect these requirements and to not interrupt guides’ off time and sleep time unless there is a true emergency.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 10 and older to join private tours, with final approval on a case by case basis
- specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Weather Around Yellowstone
Being a Northern mountain environment, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is prone to sudden temperature and weather shifts. This is an exciting aspect of being in Wyoming’s mountains. On trips in June, snow is a slight possibility, and the rest of the summer you’re likely to get rained on at least once during your trip. To be fully prepared, please follow the recommended clothing list closely (this list comes as part of your trip packet when you register). See below for average summer temperatures around Yellowstone:
Average Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
| Month | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| June | 70° | 42° |
| July | 80° | 47° |
| August | 78° | 45° |
| September | 68° | 37° |
Accommodations
BACKCOUNTRY SLEEPING
Tent Camping
Sleeping on backpacking trips is in premier 1-person, 2-person or 4-person backcountry tents. Solo travelers, and anyone else who requests it, are issued single tents. Top-of-the-line self-inflating sleeping pads and synthetic-fill sleeping bags (professionally laundered after every trip) are also provided.
BACKCOUNTRY CUISINE
Fresh & Delicious
Meals from breakfast Day 1 through lunch the last day are fully included and prepared by your guide. We never use dehydrated backpacking meals, instead serving freshly prepared, delicious backcountry cuisine made with a variety of common and specialty ingredients that travel well in the wilderness.
AMAZING CAMPSITES
In the Action
Campsites vary by destination, trip and even by the individual day of a trip. However, you can expect to camp in beautiful areas that put you right in the action to make the most of your trekking adventure. We carefully design our itineraries with campsites in mind.
Trip Reviews
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Terese C
Would love to hike again!
Highly recommended.
Michael C
Had a Great Trip
Recommend it highly!
Kim J
Unforgettable Adventure
This was my fifth trip with Wildland Trekking, and once again, it was an amazing experience. The professionalism of the staff is consistently outstanding. Noah and Sam were exceptional guides, providing expert knowledge and support throughout the hike. The Indian Pass and The Divide trail offered breathtaking views and challenging terrain, making for an unforgettable adventure. I have never had a bad experience with Wildland, and I am already looking forward to my next trip in November.
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