Wind River Range Cirque of the Towers Access

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.