Gannet Peak - Day 1

In the summer of 2016 I decided that I wanted to climb Gannet Peak, the highest point in Wyoming and the most remote of all of the state high points.

I got of work early on a Friday and packed my stuff before driving most of the way to the trailhead. I got sleepy, so I pulled over and slept in the back of my truck just before reaching Lander, Wyoming. In the morning I headed out and got to the trail head around 8:30 or so.

I began to finish organizing my gear and packing my backpack. In stuffing my sleeping bag into the very bottom, I ripped one of my fingernails up and nearly off and had to wrap it with some athletic tape to protect it.

At the trailhead, there was a warning that one of the bridges had been damaged and that crossing was at your own risk. The trail starts out moderately steep in a very hot high desert sort of feel to the place.

The trail about a quarter mile from the switchbacks.

It stays along the stream and then you begin going up a steep hill with many switchbacks. The switchbacks continue until you reach the tree line and then the trail becomes much less steep.

From the treeline one must go up and then back down and while it was not very steep, it sure seemed to go on for a long time.

Looking south from the highest point I reached that day.

After reaching the top of the hill, I descended down the other side until I reached the treeline again and then I setup camp.

Continued