Wind River Range Cirque of the Towers Access
Granite cathedral access through boulder fields
The Cirque of the Towers Access Road pushes deep into Wyoming’s Wind River Range, ending at 10,400 feet beneath Pingora Peak and Lonesome Lake — as close as you can drive to the granite cathedral that defines alpine Wyoming. This brutal 12-mile climb from Worthen Meadows gains 2,800 feet through increasingly technical terrain, with the final three miles requiring careful line choice through house-sized boulders and exposed granite slabs.
This is expert-level terrain demanding lockers, skid plates, and spotters for the upper reaches. The road is typically accessible only August through early September due to snow. No permits for driving, but overnight camping requires backcountry permits from the Forest Service. Pack extra water, tools, and recovery gear — breakdowns here mean a very long walk. What you get is the closest vehicle access to arguably the most spectacular alpine scenery in the Lower 48.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 12 mi / 19.3 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10400 ft |
| Best season | August-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Pinedale, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Bridger-Teton National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted 4Runner with a locker handle this, or do I need something more capable?
A properly modified 4Runner with front and rear lockers can make it through, but expect rock impacts and tight boulder field navigation at 10,400 feet. Skid plates are not optional here — you will drag on granite. Stock anything gets turned around.
Is this trail actually open in August or does snow linger at that elevation?
August and September are your windows — snow typically clears from the boulder fields by late July but lingering patches near 10,000+ feet can block passage into early August. Check with Bridger-Teton National Forest directly before you go, conditions vary year to year.
Do I need a permit to drive this trail or camp near the Cirque?
No permit is currently required for the vehicle route itself under Bridger-Teton National Forest jurisdiction, but wilderness regulations apply if you continue on foot into the Cirque of the Towers. Follow Leave No Trace, pack out everything, and check fs.usda.gov/btnf for any seasonal closures before departure.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it expert-rated?
The upper boulder fields approaching 10,400 feet are where this trail earns the expert tag — large, loose granite rocks with no clear line, steep side-slopes, and zero recovery room. One wrong tire placement can put a rocker panel on stone or high-center a full-size rig with no easy winch anchor in sight.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead and is there water on the trail?
Pinedale is your last fuel stop — tank up there, it's roughly 40+ miles of mixed highway and dirt to the trailhead area. Alpine streams exist near the route but treat everything before drinking; giardia is real at elevation in Wyoming.
Trail track
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