Gannett Peak — Local services in Wyoming

Gannett Peak was the peak that made me a 48 Finisher--one who has climbed to the highest point of every state in the Continental US. It is one of the hardest peaks to climb and will give an amazing experience.

I climbed in August 2023 with Wind River Climbing Guides. We paid over $350 to cut through the Reservation at Crowheart, but it is money well spent if you want to summit successfully. The first day, we entered the National Forest and descended into the valley before camping in the forest. Some nice streams have good fish, and my guide caught supper the first night. Next day, we hiked a little further and eventually joined the Glacier Trail. Followed the trail to the end and then went to the edge of Gooseneck Couloir. Woke up at about 3 AM summit day, and we crossed the Couloir and went up to Dinwoody Glacier. Summited about 9:30 AM after some snow climbing and some mild rock climbing. Returned via the same route and got back to camp about 3 PM. We retraced our steps and reached the trailhead at about 10 AM on the fifth day. Rode back through the Reservation and saw some amazing wildlife.

This will be an unforgettable experience if you want to try it. It is very difficult, and only Granite Peak MT will provide you with as big of a challenge as Gannett will (amongst state high points). Would recommend you go with a guide if you are not familiar with the area or would like assurance climbing on snow and ice. Wind River Climbing Guides provides excellent service. If you want to pay the extra to go through the Reservation (and I highly recommend you do), then Emma will do a great job giving you a ride and telling you about the area. You will cherish any climb of Gannett for the rest of your life,...

Started at Glacier Trailhead, then south across Torrey Creek and switchback uphill. From this trailhead we have also traveled the longer gentler route from the trailhead heading west, but it takes too much time, and the switchbacks are not bad. Lightning likes Mule Flats before you reach Upper Phillips Lake, we were told dont stop or don't cross the flats if stormy weather is present. Took us 3 days to reach basecamp looking up at Gannett Peak. Easy day hike from this base camp to the peak and back. Be ready to cross the glacier bergschrund if it is present. We roped up for the upper mountain, but the slopes became so steep, dropping away to your left and right, that it would be difficult to stop a fall. So a group decision was take the rope off, and our party of 3 continued on to the summit. At this basecamp, the mtn peaks around the headwaters of Dinwoody Creek form a rain shadow, storms deluge the creek but we stayed dry. On one of several trips to the area, on the way out it rained hard, I mean poured, all day. So be ready for that. You can also approach from Titcomb Basin. Bring crampons for the climb out of the north end of the basin. The entire area is a great place to see. The bugs like the Wind Rivers. Be ready for swatting a dozen or more with each hand movement, even if you time the hike to miss them,...

I visited Gannet Peak as part of a Central Wyoming College (CWC) Mountaineering/Backpacking course in 2012. We had a three day layover in the Gannet Peak Cirque, one day which was spent summiting the peak itself. I stayed behind the day of the summit and instead spent my time constructing what is known as the Marmot Mansion, a large boulder in the middle of the Cirque which I leveled underneath, removing large rocks and softening the soil, and partially landscaped around to make a pretty sweet campsite (one of two sites in the Cirque at that time). I wish I would have taken a picture of it when I was done. It was very smoky the day of the summit and ash was falling from the sky due to a massive fire in the northern part of the range, partially why I didn't care to summit knowing the view would be limited with so much smoke in the air. Nonetheless, the journey was unforgettable being my first 100 mile hike and first hike over the continental divide via Bonnie Pass.

Photo credit to my colleague Paul T. Some shots were taken from the top of Gannet Peak. Shout out to Darren Wells, our instructor on...