Chasing Peaks, A hiker’s adventure in Wind River Range

Wind River Range

Tyler had been itching for a real escape. City life was loud, fast, and draining, and the Wind River Range in Wyoming had been calling his name for months. With rugged peaks, alpine lakes, and endless trails, it promised a mix of adventure and peace—exactly what he needed.

The Wind Rivers? That’s the kind of place that makes you forget your phone even exists.

“I wanted a hike that felt like you were actually out there, you know? Not just a trail in the woods,” Tyler says. “The Wind Rivers? That’s the kind of place that makes you forget your phone even exists.”

The range is part of the Rocky Mountains and spans over 100 miles, with towering peaks like Gannett Peak, Wyoming’s highest. For hikers like Tyler, it’s a playground of trails ranging from chill day hikes to multi-day backcountry treks. Tyler went for a moderate overnight loop that gave him a taste of the wilderness without completely destroying him on the first day.

“The trail winds past glacial lakes, rivers, and forests that look straight out of a postcard,” Tyler says. “I even spotted a moose cooling off in one of the lakes—it was wild.”

The East Fork River in the Wind River Range of Wyoming. Left to right, Ambush Peak, Raid Peak and Midsummer Dome are seen to the north.

Stars are everywhere.

The nights in the Wind Rivers are something else. Tyler set up camp under a sky so clear it felt like the Milky Way was just hanging over his tent. “There’s no city light to fight with,” he says “Stars everywhere. It’s like the universe put on a show just for me.”

One of the highlights? Climbing a small peak called Fremont Peak. It’s not the tallest in the range, but the view from the top is insane: jagged mountains in every direction, rivers snaking through valleys, and the sense that you’re seeing a piece of Earth that hasn’t changed in centuries.

You realize how massive the world is, but also that you can handle more than you thought.

“Standing there, I felt this weird mix of small and invincible,” Tyler says. “You realize how massive the world is, but also that you can handle more than you thought.”

Wind River Range is remote, which means preparation is key. Hikers need the right gear, bear awareness, and respect for the wilderness. But for those willing to put in the effort, it’s a space that rewards curiosity, endurance, and patience.

By the end of his trip, Tyler was exhausted, sunburned and completely stoked. “I came for the hike, the views, and the lakes,” he says. “But I left with this sense of calm, like the mountains hit reset on my brain.”

Whether you’re chasing epic climbs, crystal-clear alpine lakes, or just some unplugged time, the Wind River Range is calling. And for hikers like Tyler, answering that call is always worth it.