Wyoming Highpoint
Gannett Peak
13,809 ft · Wind River Range · Fitzpatrick and Bridger Wildernesses
MountaineeringLoading map…
Trail Lake is the eastern Glacier Trail access; Elkhart Park is the western Pole Creek access. These pins are trailheads and the actual summit, not a glacier route or a safe crossing line.
USGS Geographic Names Information SystemStandard route
Glacier Trail / Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers
From Trail Lake near Dubois, the long eastern approach crosses Arrow Pass and descends into the Dinwoody drainage before reaching high camps below the glaciers. The summit climb is a separate mountaineering stage, not a continuation of a maintained hiking trail.
Distance
Approximately 50 mi round trip
Route
Multi-day approach and glacier climb
Difficulty
Remote mountaineering
Trailhead
Trail Lake / Glacier Trail trailhead
Typical hazards: Klondike and Gannett Creek crossings can be difficult as flows change. Above camp, crevasses, the Gooseneck bergschrund, steep snow or ice, rockfall, and exposed summit terrain require mountaineering judgment. Snow bridges can weaken or disappear; altitude, storms, and remote rescue compound the consequences.
Mileage is an approximate full summit itinerary, not just the trail to camp; camp location and climbing line change the total. Plan glacier travel and crevasse-rescue skills, suitable snow/ice equipment, weather buffers, and an emergency communication plan.
SummitPost: Glacier Trail approachAlternative routes
Elkhart Park / Titcomb Basin / Bonney Pass
The western approach starts at the Pole Creek trailhead at Elkhart Park near Pinedale, continues toward Titcomb Basin, then crosses Bonney Pass to reach Dinwoody Glacier and the Gooseneck summit route. It trades a shorter overall approach for a demanding summit day.
- Full itinerary
- Approximately 40 mi round trip; camp and route dependent
Typical hazards: Bonney Pass adds steep snow or loose terrain and substantial climbing on the return after the summit. Budget energy and weather for that re-ascent; reaching the summit does not finish the hardest travel.
Both approaches require current glacier and snow assessment. A smaller mileage figure does not make the western approach an ordinary backpacking objective.
SummitPost: Gannett Peak approaches and climbingPermits & fees
Planning requirements
Check requirements for the whole itinerary
- Bridger Wilderness
- USFS requires permits for organized groups and overnight recreational stock use. Check the appropriate application and current requirements before travel.
- Crossing the divide
- Fitzpatrick and Bridger rules differ. Confirm camping, group, food-storage, and any commercial outfitter requirements with both forests when your route crosses between them.
Access
Two different sides of the range
For Glacier Trail, follow Trail Lake / Whiskey Basin Road (Forest Road 411) south of Dubois to the public trailhead at the road end. For Pole Creek, follow Skyline Drive from Pinedale to Elkhart Park. Confirm road conditions with the ranger district for your chosen side.
Elkhart / Pole Creek has a large parking area and vault toilets, with Trails End campground nearby; USFS lists no potable water. Use designated public trailhead parking at Trail Lake and keep ranch and stock access clear.
Know before you go
Wilderness expedition planning
Follow the applicable food and attractant storage orders on each side of the divide; plan effective bear-resistant storage throughout the itinerary.
Observe wilderness camping setbacks, group limits, fire restrictions, and closures for each forest. Use established durable camps and pack out waste.
Conditions
Check before leaving
Check roads, stream flows, mountain weather, and recent glacier information close to departure. Forest status pages are not glacier-condition reports, and an older account of a snow bridge does not establish that it still exists.