There are two exceptions to the inaccessibility of the Wind River Range. The last twenty miles or so are slow slogging via gravel road, but Lower Green River Lake is fully accessible by road. To quote my article, "The view from the shores of Lower Green River Lake, with Squaretop Mountain looming in the background, encompasses the most uniquely recognizable landscape in the Wind River Range. Visitors to this showpiece destination will find themselves 52 miles from the nearest town, so every moment of solitude experienced in such remote and pristine country should be savored.
From Pinedale, head northwest on U.S. Highway 191 for six miles and turn right on Wyoming Route 352. Follow the latter road for 25.3 miles to the boundary of Bridger-Teton National Forest, where the pavement ends. Continue on the Green River Lakes Road, designated initially as Forest Service Road 600 and, later, as FR Road 650, for 18.5 miles to a signed intersection for the Green River Lakes campground and trailhead."
Additionally, "
The Skyline Drive begins at Pinedale and, over the course of 16 miles, gains more than 2,000 feet in elevation before terminating at the Elkhart Park trailhead. Fully paved, this road enters aspen habitat after seven miles, near the turnoff to Half Moon Lake. An interpretive pullout, located 1.4 miles from Elkhart Park, affords as good a glimpse into the distant heart of the rugged Wind River Range as any visible from a paved road."
I've been to Lonesome Lake, which is often used as a base camp for the Cirque of the Towers but, yes, that was via backpacking when my back was 44 years younger.
By the way, I have an article that will be published in the Winter 2022-2023 issue of "Big Sky Journal," which will pertain to the classic mountain man era, particularly the Rocky Mountain Rendezvous period (1825-1840). Incidentally, if you've never been there, the next time you visit the Tetons, make it a point of emphasis to also visit the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale. See
Museum of the Mountain Man and
Hugh Glass Diorama - Museum of the Mountain Man. They also have an annual Green River Rendezvous there on the second weekend of July, should that be of interest:
Green River Rendezvous - Museum of the Mountain Man.
