Stough Creek - Pinto Park Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Commonly Backpacked · Fishing · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

This route, although very buggy in June, is an excellent backcountry outing. It still explored alpine cirques and provided many views of the dreamy mountains and formations at the divide while staying relatively lower in elevation. Bring fishing poles if that's your thing! Notable points of interest in the route include Stough Creek Basin, Deep Creek Lakes below Wind River Peak, Pinto Park, and Twin Lakes.

As per USFS rules:
1) Make sure to camp 200 feet from trails and water.
2) Dogs have to be leashed or under control (i.e. training collar or equivalent) at all times.
3) All food and attractants need to be suspended at least 10 feet high and 4 feet from a post or tree or stored inside a bear-resistant container.
4) Check current fire restrictions. Fire rings must be dismantled after use.

Start by running the Stough Creek Lakes Trail #702 to Roaring Fork Lake. The rivers and creeks in the early season might be high and cold so be prepared for that. The trail can be difficult, switchbacking to a small saddle where you'll get your first view of Wind River Peak. The trail descends from there, then you'll take a left at the junction for Stough Creek Lakes. The cirque, guarded by Roaring Fork Mountain, is large with many big alpine lakes. This is a great place to spend a couple of nights. If you like fishing and brought gear, there are ample opportunities.

Out of Stough Creek Lakes, head left at the Stough Creek Cutoff Trail #704 towards Ice Lakes. Take a right at the Middle Fork #700 trail and then a left on the Ice Lakes Trail #706. The large mass of Wind River Peak looms over you. After a long day, consider making camp at a comfortable site next to Baer Lakes (again, more excellent fishing (this is where we caught the biggest trout of the trip). Take the Pinto Park Trail #708 and take a right (east) towards Pinto Park where you'll have nice views of the Cirque of the Towers. It was still very snowy in the Cirque in June. Pinto Park Lake is another good camp spot.

From there, its about six or seven miles down to Twin Lakes, which takes the Stough Creek Trail #703 then the Twin Lakes (Buzz Lakes) #703.1A shortly after. Along the way, you'll cross the Middle Popo Agie River (in early summer it was very cold and nearly up to our thighs). Twin Lakes is a good camp spot but can be VERY buggy.
From camp, the Twin Lakes (Buzz Lakes) #703.1A terminates at the junction for Sheep Bridge Trail #701. We took the Sheep Bridge Trail #701 which is a tough climb back to Worthen Meadows.