Spring Creek to Green River Trek
Guided Backpacking Trips
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights 33 MI / 53 KM
Trip Highlights
This trip follows a classic thru-hike route that can be done as either a 4-day trip (difficulty level 4) or 5-day trip (difficulty level 3). Either way it’s exceptional and features stunning Wyoming high country, pristine camps, breathtaking views (especially of Squaretop Mountain and the Green River Valley), and lots of opportunities to fish for those interested.
Our trip begins in Jackson Hole, where we pick you up at your hotel for a 2-hour shuttle to the trailhead. The first two days of our hike take us through forests, across meadows, past lakes, and finally into the subalpine forests of the higher mountains. We’ll have incredible views of the Continental Divide and towering peaks like Sky Pilot Peak, Glover Peak, and Mount Oeneis. On Day 3 we’ll ascend into the high country and cross Green River Pass (10,400 feet). We’ll be literally at the headwaters of the Green River, which is the chief tributary to the Colorado River and runs 730 miles before meeting the Colorado River in Utah. We’ll also enjoy fantastic views of Squaretop Mountain, one of the most distinguished peaks in Wyoming. We’ll descend into the Green River Valley, where we’ll hike through dense forests and vast meadows before finally reaching Green River Lakes, our ending point.
-
Green River Headwaters
-
Mountain Solitude
-
Point to Point Thru-hike
-
Stunning Mountain Views
-
Lush Meadows, Lakes & Forests
-
Pristine Campsites
-
Dramatic Night Skies
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
-
Trip Type
Guided Backpacking Trips -
Trip Length
4-5 Days, 3-4 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
5-10 mi -
Group Size
2-12 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
"*" indicates required fields
Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip’s difficulties mostly come from rugged wilderness trail conditions, river crossings, high elevation, and fairly significant elevation change every day. The final day’s hike is almost 10 miles, and because it’s a 5-day trip the backpack weights are significant.
Difficulty Level
Learn More
Solitude Level
Learn More
Trip Itinerary
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.
Day 1
Shuttle to Trailhead: 2 hours
Hiking Mileage: 8 miles
Elevation Loss: 500 feet
Elevation Gain: 2000 feet
For this iconic Wind River Range backpacking trip, we’ll pick you up at your hotel in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Our 2-hour drive to the trailhead is much more than idle time, as we’ll be driving through beautiful mountain country, eating breakfast, and discussing the details of the trip. View of Fremont Lake shortly after leaving the trailhead.
Once at the trailhead we’ll do a final pack fitting and start hiking! Today’s hike is a beautiful one as we’ll climb a short ways from the trailhead to a ridge overlooking Fremont Lake, one of the largest natural lakes in Wyoming. From here it is a gradual ascent into the mountains and we’ll be in and out of meadows filled with sagebrush and wildflowers, as well as aspen and conifer forests. We’ll set up camp on the shores of Trapper Lake, after which you’ll have a couple hours to relax, fish, or explore before dinner and our evening campfire.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 900 feet
Elevation Loss: 400 feet
Today is a diverse day of hiking that takes us higher into the mountains. We’ll hike through forests, along creeks, next to rocky bluffs, and past several lakes including Trail Lake and Gottfried Lake. Our destination is Borum Lake, which is near treeline looking up at a family of alpine peaks including Sky Pilot Peak (12,129 feet) and Glover Peak (12,068 feet).
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet
Elevation Loss: 1300 feet
Today is one of the gems of this trip! We’ll have a big breakfast before breaking camp and hitting the trail. Our route takes us over Green River Pass, a low spot along an alpine ridge with incredible views of the Continental Divide. We’ll be surrounded by large peaks including Vista Peak (11,840 feet) and Mount Oeneis (12,232 feet). At the pass, we officially enter the headwaters of the Green River, which is a very special treat. The Green River, which is the most significant tributary to the Colorado River, exits these mountains and flows 730 miles southwest where it combines with the Colorado River. Then together these two mighty rivers (now combined as the Colorado) flow through the Grand Canyon.
We’ll enjoy lunch on Green River Pass, with views of Squaretop Mountain, one of the Wind River Range’s most distinct peaks. Then we’ll descend into the Green River Valley and set up camp near the confluence of two side creeks to the Green River: Trail Creek and Clark Creek.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 400 feet
Elevation Loss: 1600 feet
We’ll have a leisurely morning today, as our hiking is relatively easy and the nature of our surroundings begs us to take our time and soak up the natural beauty. We’ll follow Trail Creek down to the Green River, then we’ll follow the Green River downstream through majestic meadow systems and lush forests.
Day 5
Hiking Mileage: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 1300 feet
Elevation Loss: 1400 feet
Shuttle to Jackson Hole: 2 hours
We’ll have another relaxing morning before packing up camp for the last time. We continue downstream along the Green River, with Squaretop Mountain dominating our views to the west, to Green River Lakes. Then we’ll hike around the shores of the lakes to our ending trailhead. A 2-hour shuttle back to Jackson Hole gives us time to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve just completed, and hopefully start thinking about what the next one might be!
4-day Variation
On the 4-day variation, which is Difficulty 4, we’ll increase the hiking each day, so we cover approximately 8 miles per day. You will see all the same country but with longer days of hiking.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
Scroll horizontally to view all dates
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)
-
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
What's Not Included
-
Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
-
Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
-
Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
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 Logistics & FAQs
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 to Jackson, WY
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.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
- SORT BY:
- Most recent
- LOW - HIGH
- HIGH - LOW
Tiphaine A
1 year agoA Great Trip
A great trip and overall experience. The guides made it so easy and confortable. The itinerary was amazing, stunning. Everyday was very different in terms of landscape, such a pleasure! Meals and snacks were perfect. A big thank to our guides that made it so good. I'm French and will leave the US with wonderful memories in mind.
Marion F.
6 years agoExcellent Trip
The trip was perfectly paced, the food was awesome, the guides were wonderful to interact with! Packing tips were very helpful and so was the planning meeting.
John H.
6 years agoThe Best Experience
This was first multi day hike and I think this has spoiled me, The scenery was beautiful all the meals were well planned out as well as tasty. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience then what I received on this trip. Thank you! A big shout out to Alex and Ethan our guides who went well beyond necessary.
You Might Also Like...
"*" indicates required fields
Leave a Reply