Wind River Restoration
The Popo Agie Wilderness, Shoshone National Forest, ~25 miles NW of Lander WY

The moon is setting behind peaks of the Cirque of the Towers that loom some 1500 ft high above the valley floor
(Photo, ©, 1996 by Frank R. Leslie)

Wind River Service Trip Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQs)

Updated 07/24/2001

(Last significant change was year 2000 review and update.)

Frequently-Asked Questions

Here are some "Frequently-Asked Questions" (FAQ) that may help. This is not an official S. C. site, and the club has no input to or authorization of this website. Remember that things may change, and this webpage may (or may not) reflect the latest changes. Please ask if I haven't covered something about the trip and what to expect. I'm categorizing them in event time order like this:
Joining the trip
Getting ready for the trip
Travel to Lander
The Wilderness Trip
Our Field Camp
Trail Work
Weather
Miscellaneous
Crosslinks to other information

Joining the trip:

When is the latest I can sign up?

The latest is about one month before the departure date. Sierra Club requires 12 participants on this trip, and may cancel the trip if less. If no one out of fifty people who wanted to go made a reservation before the cancellation date, it would be to late to reschedule the trip, even though it would have been oversubscribed by 38 people! Since reservations are confirmed by credit card over the phone (415-977-5609 for the trip reservationist), I don't know how many are signed up until I get a printed report from San Francisco. There could be ten people signing on in just one day when the next magazine announcement is published. Don't delay.

When must my forms be in?

These forms should be turned in to me (your fearless leader) within four weeks of sign up; sooner if the trip is within a month. The trip leader makes the final approval of each participant. The applicant must have a reservation with the Sierra Club and be a club member. The official "sign-up form" is sent to the trip leader each time it changes. Approval is done on the information provided in your general information form and your medical form. Each applicant must also complete a Sierra Club waiver of responsibility form.

Are children accepted for service trips?

Yes, at the option of each trip leader. The same health and attitude aspects apply, and much of the work can be done by a strong child. Not a child labor law violation? :-), but it's a real, challenging adventure to tell their friends about. Accompanied minors are welcome (if physically fit), but unaccompanied minors are not accepted. I do not usually accept minors unaccompanied by a parent, since difficulties could really make a remote trip hard to accomplish. Other trips cater to unaccompanied children, but this trip doesn't. I don't really want to serve as a guardian of someone I've never met. I'm not looking for those who should be in "boot camp" or have disciplinary problems. I am not usually willing to accept the responsibility as legal guardian during the trip. There is too a difficult problem if a juvenile were to decide to leave the trip on their own in this area. Our only recourse would be to notify the USFS law enforcement ranger so that the child could be held at the Fremont County Sheriff's Office for the parents to retrieve. Note, too, that getting to Lander from a major airport is not easy. But I've been on several trips where the exuberance of youth (Emma & Gabe) was a welcome diversion; reliving my own young trips with my Dad, I guess.
6/3/2000

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Getting ready for the trip:

What will I need on the trip?

Now is the time to imagine being there, and visualize the things you will need and those you won't. I always bring something unneeded and wish I just had something else. Planning is the best way. The second way is to write list updates after you have been there a few days. I believe Sierra Club still sends out recommended equipment lists. Good lists are available many places on the web. Try the Backpacker magazine site. Also, here is a search list for equipment.

Boots: If you are buying boots, look for those that protect your ankles from rocks and twisting. Boots need not be expensive, but they must be worn at least a week before going on the trip. This allows your boots to fit your feet and vice versa.

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Travel to Lander, Wyoming:

Travel agents?

Sierra Club's recommended travel agent to "Beyond the Bay Travel", which is mandatory for Sierra Club staff. Their phone number is 800-542-1991 in San Francisco. Fax is 415-421-1816. After-hours emergency number is 800-358-1278, email at 76753.710@compuserve.com; cc:Mail alias is "Beyond the Bay". Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Pacific Coast Time, Monday through Friday. Address is 520 Davis St. San Francisco, CA 94111. Ms. Patti Wylie is the preferred contact there. This agency understands our wilderness special needs and trips to go to difficult places.

How do I get to Lander?

Here are some transportation phone numbers at www.wind-river.org/services.htm.

Is there airline service to Lander?

No, but United Airlines Express flies to Riverton WY about 30 miles eastnortheast. Air travel is by commuter jet from SLC or Denver and is usually expensive. I believe this is a United Express affiliate (Great Lakes Airlines). It's a good short flight, but no lavatory. Major airlines fly to Salt Lake City to the southwest. Some people fly to Jackson, WY to see the Grand Tetons or Yellowstone before (or after) the trip to Lander. There is a general aviation airport at Lander in case you fly.

Is there train service to Lander?

The closest stop is at Rock Springs, Wyoming on I-80. There isn't a regular station, just a freight office. I've heard that there is a new station underway. I don't know how you would get to Lander, but suggest you check with Wind River Transportation Authority for shuttle service. Train service to Lander from Riverton stopped years ago and the tracks were pulled. In Riverton, there is a nice rails to trails conversion downtown.

Is there bus service to Lander?

A shuttle bus is available from Great Divide Tours several times a day from Riverton to Lander. They pick up at the Riverton airport and motels and will drop you most anywhere in Lander. Round trip cost was $25 in 1997. From Riverton WY, Wind River Tours is $34 round trip (1999), but I contacted Ms. Bert at the Wind River Transportation Authority 800-439-7118; fax, 307-332-7180 on May 20,1999. They run a bus from Lander to Salt Lake City airport, and other locations there when you make reservations. The bus does not run every day. They will make trips on TBD for 2001 (These are the ones you may be interested in). The bus leaves Salt Lake City about 11:30 a.m. in order to reach Lander by 7 to 8 p.m. They leave Lander at 5 a.m. and get to SLC after 12 p.m. It is about a 5.5 hour trip and costs $75 each way. It's a good way to see prairie areas of Wyoming. If you are considering this trip, be certain to call them for changes or details. We used this service in 1999 and 2000, and will probably do so again.

What is Lander like?: Lander is a small town of some 7300 people, the seat of Fremont County. The NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School is there, training young people in wilderness experience and survival. Most of the businesses are along Main St., with easy walking to everything. A City Park provides free three-day camping about six blocks south. The Washakie Ranger District is located at 333 S. Main St, across from McDonald's, also within walking distance.
Where can I stay?: A City Park provides free three-day camping about six blocks south of Main St. There are numerous motels available. Jerry and I like to stay at the Maverick Motel since it's close to the grocery stores. There is also a dormitory available at NOLS in the former Noble Hotel. (See NOLS on the next street to the north.) The Sleeping Bear RV park is to the southeast of town. Here are some motel listings.
Tell me about the USFS ranger station?: The USFS Shoshone National Forest Headquarters are at Cody. The Washakie Ranger District is located in Lander at 333 S. Main St, across from McDonald's. They sponsor and support our trip, packing our group groceries, etc., into the camp site, and providing a large cook tent and stoves. The US Forest Service horse pack train carries the food that the staff will buy with part of your fee. There are usually five pack horses at about 150 pounds of food each. We also get a reration supply train mid-trip. You will carry only the provided trail lunch and any special food you may want to take (I don't think you'll need extra!) Bernie Davison is the District Ranger. I still report to Skip Shoutis and Vicki Gullang is directly our coordinator. They will make arrangements for two four-drive vans and a pickup truck to get us and are packs to the trailhead. They also may also loan us a utility vehicle, which may make transportation of groceries to the warehouse two miles north of town less difficult. Jerry and I are planning on taking the Wind River Transportation shuttle from Salt Lake City at present (12/28/2001), but we might need some help from early arrivals to turn a rental car in prior to the trip. The USFS office receptionist can provide information and assistance to the trip members. I provide a trip info list to the receptionist that you can ask to see, and a briefer note list will be on the outside note board for after-hours access. Be certain to register on both lists upon arrival in Lander. Stop back occasionally to see newer info. I usually get by the USFS once a day.
When does the Sierra Club trip staff arrive?: Jerry and I plan to arrive at Lander about Thursday before the trip to buy groceries and get instruction from the Ranger Station personnel. We make numerous trips to the grocery stores, and we package and weigh the food and supplies for the horse train at the USFS warehouse two miles north of Lander. We can be contacted through the motel manager where we are staying.
About Our Popo Agie Wilderness Service Trip:
About the Popo Agie Wilderness trip area:
What's the local geography like?: The Wind River Range extends from a north-south valley near the Grand Tetons town of Moran southeast to South Pass City, an old mining town. South of Dubois is the highest Wyoming peak, Gannett, located in the Fitzpatrick Wilderness. To the west is the Bridger-Teton Wilderness under the Pinedale Ranger District. The Wind River Indian Reservation is south of the Fitzpatrick, followed by the Popo Agie Wilderness. Locals will wince if you try to Anglicize this Indian phrase; pronounce it po Po shia to rhyme the end with ambrosia. The mountain ridge of the Continental Divide falls to grassy plains at South Pass City. This low area is why the Oregon Trail breached the mountains here. The Wind River flows to the south east near Dubois. The middle Fork of the Popo Agie River comes out near and in Lander to join the Wind River near Riverton. The Popo Agie has a South Fork, Middle Fork, and North Fork, the latter being several miles south of the Bears Ears Trail but one valley to the south. These rivers flow into the Big Horn, then the Missouri, and finally the Mississippi. To the north of Lander are the Absarokas; to the east, the Owl Mts.
What's the Bears Ears Trail area like?: The Bears Ears Trail is named for a prominent rock formation that looks a little like a Mickey Mouse head. Our camp may be north across the valley about a mile from the Bears Ears. The trail begins near the Dickinson Park USFS guard station at the campground. We get there by USFS vehicles, passing the station on the north to the trailhead. We enter the forest, climb switchbacks, reaching the Wildness sign. The route gradually climbs out of the forest, looping over a crest, and proceeds through Adams Pass. Climbing further, we reach some 10000 ft. before descending a little to a boardwalk. Here's a good topo of the Bears Ears Trail Area http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?s=25&size=l&lat=42.8518&lon=-109.1861; We then cross a boggy multiple stream area to the north to reach the camp. (This assumes we will be based here in 2000.) There are two large mounts near the camp and a small hidden lake to the north. The camp area is part grassy meadow sloping up into a short treed forest slope. The area can be windy, but weather is generally good, with clear skies or fast moving clouds.; The trail continues to climb past a permanent snowfield, crosses Sand Creek, and hugs a cliff line looming above to pass north of Mt. Chauvenet. The trail then loops south, descends, and heads west to Valentine Lake Basin. The trail then continues to climb again to ascend the Continental Divide.

What is the general altitude in the trip area?: Lander is at approximately 5400 ft, a good height to get used to for the hike in. I never really notice the thin air the first day in Lander, even though I live at 25 feet above sea level. The USFS will take us to Dickinson Park Trailhead at about 9500 ft. They use two suburban vans and a big pickup truck to transport us to the trailhead. Capacity for the trip is thus set at two times (driver plus 7 trip crew plus a few packs) plus (pickup driver plus two trip crew plus rest of the packs) equals three drivers plus 18 trip crew for a total load of 21. This is set by seatbelt capacity and can not be increased. This may require riding behind the gear-shift hump, but we'll fit. It's part of the getting-to-know-you process. ;-) We backpack from there about four miles to the work area, which might be about 9000 to 10000 ft. The Bears Ears Trail reaches about 11,900 Feet at the crest near Mt. Chauvenet (a walk-up peak at 12500 ft).
What about vegetation?: The wilderness is within the Shoshone National Forest. Logging is common in the surronding forest, but the wilderness is protected. The mountain crests extend above normal treeline of about 9500 feet. In the alpine regions, wildflowers are common.
What does the area look like?: Here are some photos from the central Popo Agie area. The page isn't well set up yet, but I wanted you to be able to see it anyway.
What about snow?: I expect we will see snow, but not have it fall on us. Meltoff is pretty fast when it starts. You can see the snowmelt effects here. and here. (Push "Back" to return here.) The Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River is from the central area, and we will be further north and higher. Some six to ten inches of snow melts to an inch of water, so 10 inches SWE (snow water equivalent) is about 60 to 100 inches of snow.
In 2000, snowfall is significantly less than average. This means melt runoff will be faster and briefer than usual.
About the Field Camp:
Will we have shelter in the cook area?: This USFS District provides a large (15 x 15 ft field kitchen tent, which helps the cook crew a lot in wet or cold weather. Sometimes we use a tarp at a temporary campground before hiking in. This tent area is not for general use and is the responsibility of the cook. It is off limits to noncooks unless you are especially invited due to severe weather.
Do we need personal water purification?: Yes, carry iodine tablets and/or a 0.5 to 2 micron filters in your packs. I find iodine tablets quite acceptable, but some people may dislike the taste. Treat all water to avoid giardiasis. This is a parasitic problem with symptoms of bad intestinal "flu" that would manifest itself after you get back.
We treat camp water by a chlorine/peroxide method, yielding pure, chlorine free water in about an hour. Participants may use this water for topping off their canteens in return for fetching the raw water. The collection point will be designated, and no one is to disturb the stream above the collection point to keep sediment out of the water.
Do we need to bring personal toilet paper?: No, camp toilet paper (TP) is furnished, and you may take a small amount from a roll to replenish your pack kits; i.e., zipper plastic bag with safety matches. Toilet paper must always be used sparingly in the wilderness. As a guide, think about no more than two feet per use. (Be glad this isn't a NOLS trip, where pine cones or leaves are used. ;-)
We will set up two latrines for redundancy, not male and female, but to increase the chances of not waiting. Slit latrines are cut square edged, about six feet long, five or six inches across, and about six to seven inches deep. The trench must be shallow to ensure decay of the contents. Squatting with one foot on each side of the trench, it's fairly easy to get used to. A shovel is kept at the latrine, and a bare sprinkle of soil is placed to conceal the contents and keep flies away. We don't fill it in completely until we're ready to hike out. (The weird part is when you get back and look for the shovel in the motel bathroom!)
The symbol, icon, or token of latrine availability is a plastic bag on a string that holds the toilet paper. If it's gone, that latrine is in use; if it's there, you take the whole bag and paper to the latrine, and bring it back when through. The zip edge must always be sealed even though it's not raining when you bring it back. Wet rolls aren't good for much and may have to be carried out.
The used toilet paper goes in a small cardboard box that is inside a plastic bag at the latrine. A rock holds it closed. Periodically, these boxes are collected and burned all at once. This means less delay for fire to go out and less anxious waiting back where the bag should be.
In the field, use a small hole just heeled into the ground with your boot about 4 to 6 inches deep. After use, burn the toilet paper in the hole while watching carefully until any fire is absolutely, completely, no-doubt-about-it out. Only then do you kick in the dirt and tidy up the site. I suggest putting a stick over the top to dissuade another hiker from digging right exactly there.
2/8/2001
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About the Trail Work:
What are the specific trail work locations?: This is unknown until the ranger survey after snowmelt. It might be the Bears Ears Trail, the Stough Creek Lakes Trail, or the North Fork (of the Popo Agie) Trail. It could even be a shared service with the Dubois Ranger District on the Glacier Trail. I now expect it to be at the Bears Ears area working the Bears Ears Trail and/or the Moss Creek Trail.
What work will we be doing?: This is undetermined until the ranger can enter the area after snowmelt to determine a priority project. In the past, I have cleared trail, built water bars, rock walls, and bridges. The primary work is safety related, preventing injury to hikers, and secondarily, to horses.
Should we bring trail tools?: Tools are provided and transported to the camp by USFS. Typically, these are Pulaski firetools (a trail ax/mattock), shovels, McLeods (a super rake you may have seen in forest-fire-fighting news stories), rock bars, ropes, saws, files. Your main personal tool is a pocketknife (or perhaps a flyrod).
Later trip information
How will we hear of any changes, etc.: I will provide a greeting letter, an approval newsletter, and a final trip letter in paper as well as on the Internet website. The website versions may change, and I will tell the email list about it. I know a few of you may not care for this technology aspect, but the trip budget doesn't allow for sending mail to everyone every few weeks. The paper versions are already more than some leaders provide, and they will suffice. I will be mailing out a list of trip members and other info perhaps about July 1st. I'll try to get an update from the Washakie Ranger Station before then. Jerry has gotten her recipes planned to accommodate special dietary needs. If there is a topic you think would be of general interest, please let me know, and I'll see what I can do.
I don't have a computer at home; what will I do?: You may be reading this at a friend or relative's house. You can also see it at a library or school. It's useful to have email as well.
But I don't have email; what will I do?: You can set up a free email service at Hotmail.com or Bigfoot.com, to name two of the many of free services. You can then send email to windriver2000-subscribe@egroups.com, and when accepted, you can read the past messages and post your own. You will receive the messages at your email address as they are posted. If you don't have a computer (all the time), you can go to one on the Internet anywhere (yes, the Lander Public Library, for example), sign on your web email, and read the latest.
Weather:
What about the weather?: Check the snowfall for the Wind River Basin at http://www-wwrc.uwyo.edu/wrds/nrcs/snowtrend/snowtrend.html
This link http://www.wrds.uwyo.edu/wrds/nws/ablation/09g03s.html shows that snowfall is about half of the average now. We don't cross any sizable rivers if we go where I think we might. Still, it suggests warmer weather than usual.
Miscellaneous:
Do you hike to the camp the first day?: Usually. On trips that take several hours to get to the trailhead, it may be too late to get to camp before dark, and we would then stay overnight at the trailhead. The trailheads are a good ways from Lander. Usually, we will leave early, and probably start hiking around 9 a.m. or earlier, getting to the campsite in perhaps four to six hours. (This is all very conjectural right now.) The last listed trip day is for hiking back to the trailhead after an early breakfast. We usually would arrive in Lander about 2 p.m. to 6 p.m, as the vans will be waiting at the trailhead. The trail that I presently expect goes upslope several miles and then downslope a mile or so. It's easier coming out since we will be in good shape by then.
The US Forest Service horse pack train carries the food that the staff will buy with part of your fee. There are usually five pack horses at about 150 pounds of food each. We also get a reration supply mid-trip. You will carry only the provided trail lunch and any special food you may want to take (I don't think you'll need extra!)
Where do you fish?: Depends on the camp location and what's within a half-day's hike. The shallow rivers and streams usually have trout. The numerous lakes are generally good fishing as long as there is a good inlet stream that aerates the water with oxygen in the winter. While I usually have too many duties to go fishing, there are usually several members that fly-fish. Back in the 1930's, Mr. Finis Mitchell started a fish camp over the Divide in the Big Sandy Area. While cutthroat trout were native, he stocked the lakes with nursery fish (milk cans and pack horses), and there are now some 19 species in the area. He wrote an excellent, detailed trail guide, "Wind River Trails", Wasatch Publishers, 1975, [4460 Ashford Dr., Salt Lake City, Utah 84124], which I bought in Lander for about $5.00. I strongly recommend this small book, not only for its content, but as a souvenier of the Wind River area. It's well worth carrying.
In the Stough Creek Lakes, one member caught enough trout to feed the crew of 11. The North Fork of the Popo Agie River yielded enough for a crew of 12. In 1997, some more good fishing. In 1998 and 1999, some more from a no-name lake north of the Bears Ears Trail.
How can you be more certain that radio spelling messages are received correctly?: Use the universal phonetic alphabet used by the military, police, and radio amateurs.
Standard Phonetic Spelling Code for Letters:
Alpha Bravo Charlie Delta Echo Foxtrot Golf Hotel Indigo Juliet Kilo (kee lo) Lima (lee ma) Mike November Oscar Papa Quebec Romeo Sierra (yes, really!) Tango Uniform Victor Whiskey Xray Yankee Zulu

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Items for possible Q&A

5/12/97: Several changes with members, and more accepted for the trip. I hope to update the website more this weekend, but have been working overtime for weeks, now. Here's some tentative info on bus service from Salt Lake City to Lander. Wind River Transportation Authority, 800-439-7118; fax, 307-332-7180. Lv. SLC 4:30 pm AR. Lander 10:30 pm. Lv. Lander 5 pm, Ar. SLC 11? pm. $75 one way & $150 round trip. From Riverton WY, Wind River Tours is $34 round trip, but air travel is by commuter jet from SLC or Denver and is expensive.

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