Wind River Range, WY

September 13, 2010


This is part one in a multi part series on the Green River. One of the largest, yet under promoted, rivers of the west. This series will encompass the green river from it’s genesis in the Wind River range of Wyoming, to its confluence with the Colorado in Canyonlands National Park, near to Moab, Utah.

Here’s a quick history (err geography) lesson, for the academically inclinded. The Green starts in central WY, in the Wind River range and is supplied by the range’s many glaciers. The headwaters of the Green happen to be very close to the tallest mountain in Wyoming – Gannett Peak (34 feet taller than one of WY’s more famous peaks).  The Rocky mountains might have made the west famous, but it’s the west’s water that makes it flourish.

green river map

Ask most westerners about a river, and they’ll immediately start into the virtues of the Colorado.  When in fact, the Green and Colorado have very similar volumes at their confluence (6,100 cu ft/s) and the Green drains a land area 70% more extensive than that of the Colorado before their confluence.  Before 1920, both rivers were equally popular throughout the states, with the Green and Colorado assuming the name of the Grand River once they met, thus preserving their individual luster.

In 1921, congress decided it was time to give the entire river, one name, and thus the Colorado took charge, much to the chagrin of Wyomingites and Utahans.  The Green still plays second fiddle to the Colorado.

Despite it’s lesser popularity as a river, the mountains that create the Green River drainage are some of the burliest, baddest peaks to grace the lower 48.  And, as water is most useful to Famous Internet Skiers in its frozen state, they also form some of the largest glaciers outside of the U.S.’s pacific coast.

The following story is of five fine gentlemen who decided to traverse the range from north to south, heavily laden with liquid spirits, fishing poles, and Famous Internet gusto.

Dang we're good looking guys

(Porter, Anderson, Whooper, Bob, and Mark, from left to right.  Dogs: Marley the fox like sheep dog, and Tank the yellow lab mix.)

We started out at Green River lakes, with 5 guys, 2 dogs, 4 pairs of chacos, loads of smiles for passing female hikers, 60 lbs of food, plenty of gear, and many libations.

Continue Reading: 1 2 3 4 5 Next »

Read about the author:   Porter Haney
Enjoy this TR? Read another: TR: Great Basin

Related Stuff:

  1. TR: Wind River Range, WY
  2. Baker + Wind = :/
  3. TR: Adventures of a Colorado (non) Native
  4. FIRST SNOWFALL!
  5. TR: Baker + Wind = :/
  6. The North Shore of Hiking: A Presidential Range Traverse Adventure

9 Comments

  1. Greg
    wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 9:28 am  
    1

    Holy cow that is incredible Port! I knew you were out on quite a trip… can’t believe how much of a trip it was. Can’t wait for the continuation of the series. Let me work something up here in FIS Organization Committee to tie this series together for ya!

    Only question: Did you know you and KC are going to be nanopuff pals now?

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Porter Haney
      wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 7:31 pm  
      2

      Nano poofs? That’s the Quebecois pronunciation.

      We’ve got upcoming posts queued up about Flaming Gorge, Vernal/Dinosaur, and Canyonlands NP. Get your reading glasses out, it’s going to be good times.

  2. K_C
    wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 9:44 am  
    3

    Porter you stole my green nanopuff!

    I will forgive you though as it obviously went to good use on this excellent adventure.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Porter Haney
      wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 7:32 pm  
      4

      Apology accepted. :) We’ll just have to do some green puff powder 8s this winter.

  3. Talbert
    wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 10:56 am  
    5

    Wow Porter, what a killer trip. Those trout looked delicious, and you did an awesome job with some of those pics some of the color contrasts are stunning.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Porter Haney
      wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 7:34 pm  
      6

      We neglected to bring any tin foil. The only way we could figure out how to cook those boys without charing them, or tyng them to a mini-spit, was to smoke them over the pine bows. It worked pretty well, and attached a nice smoky taste too!

  4. christian
    wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 7:05 pm  
    7

    the color of that lake at the top of page 4 is mind-bottling.

    Respond to this comment/comment thread
    • Porter Haney
      wrote on September 14th, 2010 at 7:30 pm  
      8

      They don’t call it the Green River for nothing!

  5. powhounddd
    wrote on September 16th, 2010 at 8:36 pm  
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