Wind River Range Backcountry Road
Technical mining road to Wind River high country
This forgotten mining road climbs the east face of the Wind Rivers, following Louis Lake Creek through some of the most rugged country in Wyoming. Built in the 1920s to access tungsten claims near Atlantic City, the route deteriorates into a technical rock crawl above 9,500 feet, demanding careful line choice through granite ledges and loose talus. The payoff comes at Christina Lake, where you can glass for bighorn sheep on the Continental Divide peaks towering 4,000 feet overhead.
Expert-level difficulty requires armor, recovery gear, and experience reading rock. The season runs mid-July through September, with afternoon thunderstorms a serious concern above treeline. No permits needed but the Shoshone National Forest requires fire restrictions most summers. Fuel up in Lander — you’re 60 miles from civilization once committed. Multiple alpine lakes offer spectacular dispersed camping for those willing to earn it the hard way.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Full day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10100 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Built 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Lander, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Shoshone National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle this trail?
Not without modifications. This trail is rated Expert and requires a built 4WD with skid plates, rock sliders, and ideally a locker — a stock rig will get damaged or stuck on the technical rock sections. Leave the stock rigs for something easier.
When does this road actually open each year?
July through September is the reliable window. Snow can block the upper sections well into June, and early October storms can close it fast — check with Shoshone National Forest in Lander before you head out.
Do you need a permit to run this trail or camp along it?
No permit is required for the road itself or for dispersed camping within Shoshone National Forest, but standard fire restrictions apply and can change seasonally — check current restrictions at fs.usda.gov before your trip.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The upper rock sections approaching 10,100 feet are where it gets serious — exposed shelf road, loose and embedded rock, and tight lines that punish any vehicle without armor. One wrong move up there means a long recovery with no cell service and no guarantee of another rig coming through.
How far is it to the nearest gas station and should I top off before I go?
Lander is your last stop for fuel — top off there, full tank, no debate. The trail is 14 miles of technical driving with 3,200 feet of gain, and there's zero cell service if you run dry or break down out there.
Trail track
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