Big Sandy Lizard Towers Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

This is a 40+ mile loop among many main features of Wind River Range. You'll run through forest, meadows, lakes, passes, alpine tundra, and beautiful valleys. The views are breathtaking. You'll encounter challenging approaches. You'll have an opportunity to run a portion of the famous Continental Divide Trail. This is a remote trip. It can take anywhere from full three days to a week to complete from start to finish.

This is but one of the many popular routes in the southern Winds that starts from Big Sandy Trail. In consequence, parking at the trailhead is often very full. Please be mindful about where you park, and do not destroy the vegetation to create "new parking spots". There is overflow parking near the turnoff for Big Sandy Lodge.

Also due to its popularity, traditional backcountry pooping etiquette of burying your poop and toilet paper has degraded the water quality of many pristine alpine streams and lakes, and bathroom litter is often noticed around campsites. Please consider packing it out.

If you're hungry after your trip, head a mile down the road to Big Sandy Lodge for a burger and beer. They are open Thursday-Monday & Holidays from Opening Day through Labor Day Weekend from 11am to 8pm or last call.

This is a bear country! You must take appropriate precautions.

The run starts from a Big Sandy #7099 parking lot to Cirque of Towers via Jackass Pass. The approach to Jackass Pass is strenuous. Most groups will spend the first night camping in the Cirque. From Cirque of Towers, you take the Lizard Head Trail. Make sure you have enough water before you get on the Lizard Head Trail since water is scarce on the trail and mostly from very muddy streams.

You'll then take Bear's Ears Trail toward Valentine Lake and head to Grave Lake. The camping spots at Grave Lake are limited. Follow Bear's Ears along the shore of the Grave Lake. There will be a waterfall on your left side. You'll enter very beautiful meadow with a spectacular view of Mount Hooker.

Follow the trail toward Hailey Pass #7111. The approach to Hailey Pass #7111 starts easy but the steep section has a lot of loose rocks and could be dangerous. From the Hailey Pass #7111 you'll take Pyramid Lake #7156 trail to Marms Lake. At this point you'll join a portion of the CDT trail which will take you back to the Big Sandy #7099 parking lot.

I highly recommend Wind River Range South topo map by Beartooth Publishing.