What to do in Wyoming this weekend?

[SurfNTurf]

Long-weekend plans for Southwest Colorado are likely falling through due to the forecast, and I'm leaning toward chasing sunshine in Wyoming instead. The only problem being I've never been there. I'm furiously browsing SummitPost for ideas, and I'll probably pick up a guidebook on my lunch break, but I figured I'd poll 14ers.com for suggestions. Here are the details:

-It's me and my girlfriend. We have four-season gear, snowshoes and experience with an ax and crampons. We haven't logged much time on rock and don't want to do anything technical, which I realize cuts out a lot of options in the Tetons.

-We were going to do the Snake Couloir and/or Naked Lady Couloir this weekend. If we can find a comparable route, that would be ideal.

-This isn't a BAG ALL THE PEAKZ!!11!!! trip. It was meant to be mostly relaxing, with a summit thrown in sometime over the course of three days. If we can find a mountain to climb, great, but I'd also be interested to hear ideas on simpler dayhikes and touristy stuff.

-Leaning toward Grand Teton or Yellowstone National Park. The Wind Rivers would be cool, but I'm assuming everything would require an epic approach this time of year. We are leaving tomorrow at lunch and plan on spending all day Saturday, all day Sunday, and a half-day Monday exploring whatever.

Thanks everyone!

[Scott P]

Middle Teton might be good one to try.

[jbchalk]

Jeff - if you were considering the Snake, something similar in the Tetons may be a camp up at the Meadows in Garnet Canyon and a climb of the Middle Teton's SW couloir. You could also tack on the South Teton via the connecting saddle.

[12ersRule]

Take the ferry (or hike around) across Jenny Lake and do the Cascade Canyon trail in the Tetons. Just enjoy exploring and learn the lay of the land.

Yellowstone - the canyons area is my personal favorite. Exploring the geyser basin off-trail could be a serious adventure too.

[TaylorHolt]

Glad you posted this because I'm considering something similar, and I'm a wyoming noob. My San Juan plans are looking less and less likely.

[djkest]

The Medicine Bow area is pretty nice as well, although I haven't been there in 20 years. You'd also spend more time relaxing and less time driving.

http://www.summitpost.org/medicine-bow-mountains/616371

[Scott P]

You'd also spend more time relaxing and less time driving.

I was thinking of suggesting the Medicine Bows too, but is the highway going to be open? Usually they try to open it sometime between Memorial Day and mid June. If the highway is closed you would have to hoof it in quite a ways in order to get to the good stuff.

The WyDot website says the highway is closed, but doesn't give an opening date.

http://map.wyoroad.info/wtimapj/lo.html?hp=&s=&r=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[12ersRule]

The WyDot website says the highway is closed, but doesn't give an opening date.

Still a LOT of snow there!

[Scott P]

Still a LOT of snow there!

True (there's always a lot of snow there before July and sometimes later), but usually it gets plowed sometime between Memorial Day to mid June.

I'd definitely call the highway department before heading up there.

[TaylorHolt]

Jeff - if you were considering the Snake, something similar in the Tetons may be a camp up at the Meadows in Garnet Canyon and a climb of the Middle Teton's SW couloir. You could also tack on the South Teton via the connecting saddle.

That looks intriguing. Any idea if those east-facing slopes to access the saddle would be avy prone?

[ChrisinAZ]

I'll third Medicine Bows--highly, highly recommend the area! Way less travel for some less-dramatic-than-the-Tetons-but-still-incredible scenery! Even if the highway's still closed, it shouldn't be too impossible to get back to Lake Marie on x-c skis, though snowshoes would be somewhat more of a trek. If climbing Medicine Bow Pk isn't a priority, come in from the east and explore the near-treeline meadows and lakes...coming from the west might work better if you do want to climb it, though probably less scenic.

[Dave B]

I'll be the negative-Nancy about the Medicine Bows this time 'o year. Until the road is opened the snow covered road is snow-mobile mayhem. I went ski-touring up there once and counted over 30 trucks with trailers for snow-mobiles at the road closure (most of which had 2+ snowmobiles). I did not enjoy myself.

Yes, it is a beautiful area with some cool peaks and close to the FRange. No, you will not have solitude. Or quiet. Or air that doesn't reek of exhaust.

Edit - the snowmobile activity may die off somewhat seeing as it's spring, just be forewarned that Laramites and Cheyennites love them some fossil-fuel powered recreation.

I'd suggest checking out the Lander area. Pretty surroundings and even if you don't want technical climbing Sinks Canyon is awesome (as is the camping near the Popo Aggie) and Wild Iris is cool if the road is melted out. Ten Sleep canyon is purty too (albeit a bit further from Lander).

I'd also suggest just taking a look at the Black Hills area in South Dakota - they are a truly under appreciated gem and one of the only places you can find Crow Peak IPA.