Yosemite meets the North Cascades. Excellent rock quality and amazing bouldering.The bugs will win.
andrew david - Feb 17, 2013 3:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
Fantastic Storm
Date may be wrong but went in for 3 days solo without a tent and had to sleep under a rock due to long and strong storms. Hike in is awful when slippery and soaked. Did Overhanging Tower solo without gear and some lesser peaks really just bouldering problems, watching teams work on sheer cliffs. Also hit Camel Hump's twin summits which require a few moves with exposure and offer great views, plus the scramble to Watchtower, a short peak in the very midst of the Cirque with spectacular views. I got soaked but it was all a great memory.
One of the more memorable places I've been. Spent the night here before climbing Mitchell. Had a bit of trouble finding a campsite since the snowmelt had most of the ground soaked. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful area!!
Nat and I made attempts on Pingora and wolfshead to no avail.
awesome place and great rock!
Memorable in that we placed our tent in a tree atoll (so as not to disturb the views) and couldn't find it at dusk on return. Bivied on a rope until dawn and found the tent 50m away : (
I'd love to go back!
Cookie Addict - Nov 16, 2006 8:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2002
Lov'n the Cirque
Went with 3 buddies on an amazing trip into the Cirque for 9 days. Climbers ALL over Pingora. Saw a bear print and a cow elk walked into our camp one night. We also dug and filled the largest cathole I have every seen while there...
Penelope May and I climbed the Sundance Pinnacle from North Lake approach on August 10, 2005. We found several beautiful friction pitches on fairly low angle slabs on the South Side. The inevitable thunderstorm hit us just as we were scrambling down the last few feet to the firm ground. We hid under some boulders for couple of hours, had lunch and enjoyed the show. We would recommend this small peak as a great rest day outing in the Cirque.
Route Climbed: Warrior II, from the West Date Climbed: August 2004
What a stinkin' sweet range of peaks! I had the immense pleasure of seeing the Cirque of the Towers from the top of Warrior II (12,406 ft.) in mid-August. The climbed topped off an incredible backpacking trip through the Bridger Wilderness with WildMan21, Trevor Simmons, Alex Wann, and our friend Tucker.
Route Climbed: West Face of Warrior II Date Climbed: August 2004
Once again, while not an actual summit, the range is indeed worthy of mention. It was a beautiful day, and the scenery was spectacular. I loved the climb.
Route Climbed: Warrior II, from Donald's Lake Date Climbed: August 2004
Although this is not actually a summit, I saw that others have signed this log. I have had the privilege of seeing the Cirque of the Towers from the top of a tower. the Cirque is a very worthy destination for climbers of all types.
Route Climbed: Jackass Pass to Lizard Head Meadows and north Date Climbed: August 16, 2004
Not exactly a summit, but still an impressive and worthy SP destination. We camped high above Lonesome Lake in the most spectacular campsite I've ever used bar none. Hiked up to Hidden Lake and then out to Lizard Head Meadow and up the Bear's Ears trail to the drainages to the north.
The Cirque is mind-blowing as someone here mentioned, but honestly, it's not that much more impressive than lots of other places in the southern Winds. Buffalo Head and Camel's Hump are equally impressive, to name but a few.
utahjimk - Nov 6, 2014 2:50 pm Date Climbed: Aug 2, 2012
!most recent of 2 visits. certainly one of the most spectacular areas (and even slightly scary)
WyomingSummits - Jul 30, 2013 12:59 am
The best!Amazing rock and alpine with a few snow/ice couloirs to boot. Doesn't get better than the Cirque!
rasgoat - Jul 27, 2013 9:04 pm
Freaking AwesomeYosemite meets the North Cascades. Excellent rock quality and amazing bouldering.The bugs will win.
andrew david - Feb 17, 2013 3:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 2, 2012
Fantastic StormDate may be wrong but went in for 3 days solo without a tent and had to sleep under a rock due to long and strong storms. Hike in is awful when slippery and soaked. Did Overhanging Tower solo without gear and some lesser peaks really just bouldering problems, watching teams work on sheer cliffs. Also hit Camel Hump's twin summits which require a few moves with exposure and offer great views, plus the scramble to Watchtower, a short peak in the very midst of the Cirque with spectacular views. I got soaked but it was all a great memory.
PhenomenalWoman - Apr 29, 2012 11:06 pm
SpectacularOne of the more memorable places I've been. Spent the night here before climbing Mitchell. Had a bit of trouble finding a campsite since the snowmelt had most of the ground soaked. Regardless, I thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful area!!
mike_lindacher - Mar 14, 2011 8:54 am
Cirque of the AwesomesSimply an amazing mountain vista / presentation. Really is a reward to crest Jackass Pass and come into the cirque.
Eleutheros - Oct 11, 2010 12:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 14, 2010
Mt. Mitchell from JackassThe Cirque was the spectacular highlight of a 2-week tour through Wyoming's Winds, Snowy, Gallatin, Teton and Gros Ventre ranges.
Vinny - May 28, 2010 4:25 pm
wolf's head and PingoraNat and I made attempts on Pingora and wolfshead to no avail.
awesome place and great rock!
Memorable in that we placed our tent in a tree atoll (so as not to disturb the views) and couldn't find it at dusk on return. Bivied on a rope until dawn and found the tent 50m away : (
I'd love to go back!
Cookie Addict - Nov 16, 2006 8:58 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2002
Lov'n the CirqueWent with 3 buddies on an amazing trip into the Cirque for 9 days. Climbers ALL over Pingora. Saw a bear print and a cow elk walked into our camp one night. We also dug and filled the largest cathole I have every seen while there...
asmrz - Oct 23, 2005 4:43 pm
Date Climbed: August 10th, 2005Penelope May and I climbed the Sundance Pinnacle from North Lake approach on August 10, 2005. We found several beautiful friction pitches on fairly low angle slabs on the South Side. The inevitable thunderstorm hit us just as we were scrambling down the last few feet to the firm ground. We hid under some boulders for couple of hours, had lunch and enjoyed the show. We would recommend this small peak as a great rest day outing in the Cirque.
dunsum - Apr 20, 2005 1:57 am
Route Climbed: many Date Climbed: VariousI've been to the southern Winds on 7 different occasions and climbed many routes and formations.
*Pingora, 11884 ft.
South Buttress, II 5.6, 7/23/94, 8/21/99
East face, Left Side Cracks, III 5.7, 8/18/96
Northeast Face, IV 5.8, 6/29/92, 8/22/99
South Face, Right, III 5.9, 8/21/96, 8/21/99
East Ledges, I 5.2, 8/31/06, solo
*Overhanging Tower, 12,164 ft.
Ridge Tower, II 5.3, 8/19/01
*Shark's Nose, 12,229 ft.
Direct Southwest Face, III 5.8, 8/19/01
North Face, Right, III 5.8, 8/23/96
*Warrior 1, 12,360 ft.
Northeast Face, IV 5.9, 8/20/96
*Wabonnet Peak, 12,369 ft.
Northeast Face, Right, III 5.7, 7/24/94
Feather Buttress, IV 5.10+, 8/25/99
*Mitchell Peak, 12,482 ft.
North Face, Center - Ecclesiasties, IV 5.9, 8/22/96
*Dog Tooth Pinnacle, 12,488 ft.
A-Frame Buttress, IV 5.9, 8/23/99
*The Monolith, 12,120 ft.
North Face, IV 5.9, 8/21/01
**Other notable Southern Wind River ascents**
*Haystack Mountain, 11,978 ft.
North Tower, Minor Dihedral, III/IV 5.9, 8/5/95
North Face, II 5.6, 8/6/95
Central Corner, III 5.9, 8/6/95
East Pillar, IV 5.9, 8/23/01
South Ridge, II 5.5, 9/1/06 solo
*Steeple Peak, 12,040 ft.
North Ridge, III 5.8, 8/7/95
*Lost Temple Spire, 12,480 ft.
Southwest Arete, IV 5.10a, 8/24/01
DylanWann - Jan 20, 2005 4:18 pm
Route Climbed: Warrior II, from the West Date Climbed: August 2004What a stinkin' sweet range of peaks! I had the immense pleasure of seeing the Cirque of the Towers from the top of Warrior II (12,406 ft.) in mid-August. The climbed topped off an incredible backpacking trip through the Bridger Wilderness with WildMan21, Trevor Simmons, Alex Wann, and our friend Tucker.
WildMan21 - Jan 16, 2005 7:58 pm
Route Climbed: West Face of Warrior II Date Climbed: August 2004Once again, while not an actual summit, the range is indeed worthy of mention. It was a beautiful day, and the scenery was spectacular. I loved the climb.
Trevor Simmons - Jan 9, 2005 9:54 pm
Route Climbed: Warrior II, from Donald's Lake Date Climbed: August 2004Although this is not actually a summit, I saw that others have signed this log. I have had the privilege of seeing the Cirque of the Towers from the top of a tower. the Cirque is a very worthy destination for climbers of all types.
CharlesD - Aug 21, 2004 4:31 pm
Route Climbed: Jackass Pass to Lizard Head Meadows and north Date Climbed: August 16, 2004Not exactly a summit, but still an impressive and worthy SP destination. We camped high above Lonesome Lake in the most spectacular campsite I've ever used bar none. Hiked up to Hidden Lake and then out to Lizard Head Meadow and up the Bear's Ears trail to the drainages to the north.
The Cirque is mind-blowing as someone here mentioned, but honestly, it's not that much more impressive than lots of other places in the southern Winds. Buffalo Head and Camel's Hump are equally impressive, to name but a few.
Bill562 - Aug 17, 2004 12:11 pm
Route Climbed: Big Sandy Date Climbed: August 2004Family backpack. Base camped by the Big Sandy Lake and explored. Beautiful area - the assortment of license plates at the trailhead attests to this.
Bootboy - May 29, 2004 2:39 am
Route Climbed: jackass pass Date Climbed: August 2003The cirque is mind blowing, Im going back to bag some towers!
bteddy - Apr 20, 2004 12:02 am
Route Climbed: East ridge of Peak 11,925 Date Climbed: aug '03climbed peak 11,925 from texas pass out of boredom on our day out of the cirque. Amazing views of the entire cirque from the top.
Scott - Aug 21, 2003 1:13 pm
Route Climbed: Mt. Mitchell Date Climbed: July 2 1989Summited Mt. Mitchell
Alan Ellis - Jan 27, 2003 5:23 am
Route Climbed: Pingora Peak Date Climbed: September 11, 2002A spectacular place to climb. Highly recommended! Go after Labor Day to avoid crowds.