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Green River Lakes, Bridger-Teton National Forest

Difficulty

Moderate

Maps

USGS 7.5 Quadrangles: Green River Lakes, Union Peak, Fish Creek Park, Bridger Teton National Forest – Pinedale Ranger District and Bridger Wilderness

Length

15+ miles one-way

Directions

Green River Lakes TH: Take US Highway 191 west from Pinedale. About six miles from Pinedale, you will reach the Cora turnoff at the junction of State Highway 352. Turn right, towards Cora, and keep going until you reach Green River Lakes. The last 23 miles of the trip is on a rough dirt road maintained by the Forest Service. During the summer it is suitable for most cars, but slow speeds are necessary, so plan a leisurely pace for your trip. Union Pass Road: From Dubois drive 8 miles on US 26/287 to Union Pass Road. Turn left onto gravel road before the DuNoir Gas Station. Follow Union Pass Road for 5.4 miles to the FR 532. You will see the Shoshone National Forest Kiosk and continue 10.9 miles along the Union Pass Road to the FR 693 intersection. There is not and established parking lot but you can leave your vehicle.

Closest Town

For More Information

Bridger-Teton National Forest – http://www.fs.fed.us/btnf/

Journey to 52 miles outside of Pinedale to Green River Lakes, lakes carved out by glaciers and replenished each year from the snowmelt of the Wind River Mountains. The lakes are the source for the Green River, major tributary of the vast Colorado River system. Stands of aspen and pine cover the hillside for much of this section if your starting point is Green River Lakes Trailhead, but you will find wet meadows and marshy ponds dominating the landscape at Fish Creek Park near the end of the journey at Union Pass.

At the halfway point in this section of trail in the Gunsight/Roaring Fork area, you are sure to find solitude where you may encounter a coyote or deer or other wildlife sightings but it is rare to meet up with another human. The view of the Tetons from Gunsight Pass is incredible. On a summer adventure, one might discover abundant mountain wildflowers and glimpses of wildlife such as moose, elk, deer, bear, hawks and eagles. Contact: CDTC at 1-720-340-CDTC (2382)  or Bridger-Tetons’ National Forest’s Pinedale Ranger District 307-367-4326.

Family Friendly Option

The segment begins at the Green River Lakes Campground so it is easy to enjoy the beauty and recreational opportunities around the Green River Lakes area with birds’ eye views of the much-photographed Squaretop Mountain. Leave the crowds behind as you hike a couple miles of the CDT heading south towards the Bridger Wilderness and along the eastern shores of the Lakes. Keep your eye out for the occasional moose who like to swim in the lakes.