Cirque of the Towers

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An extraordinarily beautiful place and a thrilling walk into the Cirque of the Towers, a remarkable semi-circle of sheer, dramatic peaks, cliffs and spires above the (sometimes) aptly named Lonesome Lake. (Off the first stretch of the Highline Trail.)

This is a dramatic highlight of a huge, totally pristine wilderness, with a wide selection of Rockies wildlife and superb granite scenery - the usual but not predictable peaks, cliffs, lakes, rivers and forests. Carved by - you guessed - glacial forces.

A two-day walk from Big Sandy Trailhead, but you can extend the walk, and turn it into a loop, by hiking out over Texas Pass (3,475m) and returning on the Highline Trail. It is popular, so don't expect to have the place to yourself.

You can camp freely in the Winds, but keep at least 60m from water and trails. Big Sandy Lodge (www.big-sandy-lodge.com/) near the start of the walk.

The excellent www.besthike.com has a very helpful Cirque page.

See our Wind River Mountains page for photos and further general information on this area.