Cirque of the Towers Traverse

As a long-time Sierra climber I feel blasphemous writing this, but the Cirque of the Towers is the most spectacular place I have ever visited. And what better way to explore it than with a traverse of the 11 major peaks, and that also includes one of the 50 Classic Climbs.

first part of the traverse minus Pingora

second part of the traverse

NOTE ON MY RATING

I rated the traverse based on the easiest path that tags the true summit of each peak while still starting at the S end of the ridge at Pingora and not doing any major deviations from the ridge. Note that as with any traverse there are variations, as well as some contention around the Shark's Head true summit, which will cause the rating to vary for individual parties. I used Kelsey as the source of truth given his extensive knowledge of the range.

LOGISTICS

Closest Real Town

Pinedale, WY with groceries, gas, brewery, laundry, 4G, library, and showers at the super nice rec center. If you have time check out the

Museum of the Mountain Man

. You can also go in from Lander, bu this adds an extra hour to the drive.

Conditions

The Tetons Climbers’ Ranch said they mostly use

NOAA

for the Winds. With the topology the Cirque tends to be extra cold and storms can creep up on you unexpectedly, so take the forecast with a grain of salt. Mosquitos are bad at times. I was told to go mid Aug through early Sep, although I’ve been burned on weather in the Tetons in early Sep.

Maps

Wind River Range South

(Beartooth Publishing)

Guide Books

Cirque of the Towers and Deep Lake

(Steve Bechtel)

Wind River Mountains

(Joe Kelsey)

Trailhead Amenities

Bathrooms/campground at the trailhead. Primitive camping also allowed in established spots along the way. No bear boxes, but keep food contained.

trailhead amenities

Water

Lots of rivers and lakes along the way and in the cirque, but no water on the ridge unless there’s snow to melt.

Backcountry Camping

There are many established primitive campsites in the Cirque. Please keep the area pristine with leave no trace ethics.

Traverse Tips

If any of the rock seems crappy you’re off-route. The raps tend to be directly above whatever notch separates your next objective with the exception of the ones off of Wolf’s Head. Be prepared for many raps. Route-finding is fairly straightforward compared to some of the Sierra traverses.

ROUTE

Pingora (S Buttress, 5.6 or 5.8)

Most people start the traverse with the

S Buttress of Pingora

(5.6 or 5.8 with the K Cracks variation). Approach the route from the left side of the S shoulder via 3rd class ramps. The route starts on top of the shoulder where the main formation steepens.

S Buttress of Pingora

Wolf's Head (E Ridge, 5.6)

After the Pingora summit drop down to the raps stations to the west into the notch between Pingora and Wolf's Head.

Don’t use the normal S Buttress raps.

Staying on the S side take the ledge system (4th) until you join the

Wolf’s Head E Ridge

. Follow the beautifully exposed E Ridge to the summit. If you like Matthes Crest you'll love this route. It's deservedly in the 50 Classics.

the spectacular E Ridge of Wolf's Head

Overhanging Tower (NW Ridge/W Face, class 4)

There are many ways to descend from the summit, but the goal is to rap to the west until you can hike south to the gully in between Wolfs Head and Overhanging tower. I mostly downclimbed this. From the notch take the

NW Ridge/W Face

route to the summit.

Overhanging Tower from Wolf's Head

Shark's Nose (N summit via NW Buttress, 5.6; S summit 5.8)

Downclimb (5.5) or rap from the summit into the notch separating Overhanging Tower from Shark's Tooth. There seems to be some disagreement between Kelsey and Bechtel as to the true summit; Kelsey says it's the N one, Bechtel the S. At least some of the former speed record holders only did the N so take your pick.

From the notch head up the higher of two ramps. At this point I continued trending right passing some rap lines, then up past a piton. I ended up at the base of a fairly committing rightward slanting crack (5.6). After the crack continue up easier terrain to the summit.

Traverse the ridge toward the S summit. The 5.8 section, although a boulder problem, is super exposed and burly. I suspect most people will want a rope here even if you soloed the rest.

Shark's Nose

Block Tower (E Ridge, 5.5)

If you did the S summit rap down into the notch between Shark's Nose and Block Tower. From the N summit head along the ridge to the S summit until you're able to set up a pendulum over to easier ground on the W side (obvious ramp). There were older anchors here, but they had been cut. The ramp linked me into the S summit raps. There are other rap options directly off the N summit, but this seemed more direct.

From the notch take the 4th class ramp until you reach a 5.5 chimney on the E Face. Take this to the summit.

Block Tower summit

Watchtower (class C for crappy slog)

From Block Tower rap into the notch at the base of Watchtower. The easiest way is to slog up the gully just to climber's right of Watchtower until you top out on flatter, more stable ground to reach the summit.

S Watchtower, Pylon Peak, Warrior II, Warrior I, Warbonnet

At this point you're mostly hiking with a little bit of scrambling as you tag the summits around the cirque.

the hiking part of the traverse

very approximate route

Approach

Park at Big Sandy trailhead (42.6885,-109.2695). The graveled roads to reach Big Sandy are long, but mostly in good condition with the exception of the last few miles. There were a number of 2WD low clearance cars at the trailhead when I went.

From the trailhead follow the signs to Big Sandy Lake (trail 99, marked), ~5 miles. Continue on toward Jackass Pass past North Lake where the trail will begin to ascend steeply to a flattish area. Before the trail ascends again look for a trail heading off to the left toward Arrowhead Lake and the Cirque (both hidden). The turn-off was cairned as of Aug 2015. The Cirque can also be reached from Jackass Pass, so don’t worry if you miss it. Cross the Cirque to the prominent S Buttress of Pingora. There is plentiful water and camping in the Cirque as well as all along the approach.

Descent

From the summit of Warbonnet continue S then E, dropping down to Big Sandy Lake. Catch the trail back to your campsite or to your car.

mandatory single 60m rope/tagline for raps

supplemental rap station gear recommended

alpine rack if roping up