Appreciation post: A ranger in the Wind River Range changed my whole trip plan

I was set on doing the Cirque of the Towers loop in Wyoming last August, but a ranger at the Pinedale office asked about my pace. I told him I planned 4 days. He pulled out a map and pointed to a 6-mile stretch I hadn't factored in, saying most people take an extra day for that section due to the elevation gain. I added a day to my plan, and it made the hike so much better, not rushed at all. Has anyone else had a ranger give them route advice that totally saved their trip?

3 comments

3 Comments

keithlane3mo ago

That's a great example of local knowledge you just can't get from a guidebook. A friend had a similar thing happen in the Sierra, where a ranger warned them about a dry creek bed that wasn't on any map. It kept them from a really bad situation. Those little tips make all the difference.

the_christopher3mo ago

What did the ranger suggest for your pace?

tara_jones942mo ago

Rangers can be a great resource, but sometimes they give advice that's too cautious for experienced hikers. I've been told to add days to trips that I ended up finishing easily at my own pace. It's good to listen, but you also have to know your own limits and skills.