The Best Places to go Backpacking in the Rockies
Although our world is filled to the brim with beautiful forests, rivers, and mountain ranges, the Rocky Mountains will always have my heart. I love the variety that you can find within this giant chain of mountains, and I feel so privileged that I’ve grown up in North America, where many of these outdoor spaces are still wide open and pristine. Over the past few years, I have taken time to explore and research several different mountain ranges within the Rockies, and I’m now preparing to depart for a 40-day trek across Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. However, before I go, I wanted to share some of the most beautiful backpacking spots in the Rockies, with the hope of providing inspiration for those who want to take a chance and have an adventure in the great outdoors. Go touch some grass!
1. Best for Beginners: The Bighorn Mountains
Backpacking for the first time can be overwhelming, but if you want a perfect introduction to the Rocky Mountains, the Bighorns are a good place to start. This beautiful range has many hiking trail options, as well as options to climb
spectacular mountain peaks. One of the most notable places is Cloud Peak, which offers an incredible climb and an elevation of 13,171 feet. However, if you’re not up for scaling a mountain, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy this beautiful wilderness. The Bighorns have many gorgeous fields and meadows that are the perfect place to pitch a tent and lounge under the sun. Whether you’re after a more labor-intensive journey or just taking your first baby steps into backpacking, the Bighorn Mountains are a true gem of the Rockies.
2. Best Alpine Lakes: The Beartooth Mountains
For breathtaking alpine lakes, the Beartooth Mountains are the place to be. If you want to ease your stress about finding a water source, the Beartooths are ideal, as they have “numerous lakes and vastly different environments as you go into the mountains”, according to Claire Fritz. For routes, there are great options for everyone, but if you want to see the most secluded spots, you’ll need to go off-trail, where you will encounter plenty of rocky and rough terrain. If that’s not your scene, there are also well maintained trails that still lead to crystal clear alpine waters. For a beginner-friendly route, you can start at Island Lake campground and follow a trail that leads up to several gorgeous lakes, each more beautiful than the last. The sky is almost always clear, and summer temperatures can get quite hot, so make sure you enjoy the mountains responsibly by bringing plenty of sunscreen.
3. Best for Experienced Explorers: The Willmore Wilderness
If you’re looking for a totally off-the-grid adventure, look no further than the Willmore Wilderness in Alberta, Canada. The Willmore, which borders Jasper National Park, is made up of 2,856 square miles of pristine wilderness. It is an ideal choice for experienced backpackers who are looking to step up and challenge themselves, but it is definitely not for the unprepared. In terms of terrain, it is considered difficult, due to the lack of trail maintenance in the park, which can sometimes result in obstacle courses of trees crossing your path. The weather conditions can also be unpredictable, with days quickly shifting from bright and sunny to windy and rainy. However, if you’re up for the challenge, the Willmore offers breathtaking views and a spectacular experience that you will never forget. Just remember to bring a rain jacket!
4. Best for Mountaineering: The Wind River Range
The Wind River Range in Wyoming may be less famous than Yellowstone, but it is one of the state’s best backpacking opportunities. With miles of beautiful trails and unique mountains, the Winds contain 19 out of 20 of Wyoming’s highest peaks. Among this list is Gannett Peak, the highest peak in the state of Wyoming. Standing at 13,810 feet, Gannett Peak is a challenging but rewarding experience for seasoned climbers, although its difficulty should not be overlooked. At the end of the day, you can also be assured that there will be great opportunities for swimming and lounging by an alpine lake or river. According to River Fena, her favorite part of the Winds was “the water that was so blue, it looked like the Mediterranean.” This water is not only beautiful, but also “really refreshing to swim in”, added River.
