Gannett Peak

Wyoming Class 3 Wind River Range

Rank 16

Elevation landscape

13,804 ft

Prominence height

7,076 ft

Difficulty signal_cellular_alt

Class 3

Est. Time schedule

5–6 days

Distance route

44–56 mi

Vert Gain trending_up

9,700–12,300 ft

Gannett Peak ranks No. 16 among the 57 ultra-prominent peaks in the contiguous United States, rising 13,804 feet in the Wind River Range of Wyoming with 7,076 feet of clean prominence. It is Wyoming's highest summit, set along the Continental Divide in remote national forest terrain far from highway access. Most parties approach via the Glacier Trail for roughly 44 to 56 miles round-trip with about 9,700 to 12,300 feet of gain, combining a remote backpacking approach with glacier travel and Class 3 summit terrain. Group-use visitor permits may be required for organized, commercial, or stock-supported parties.

Unlike many western highpoints, Gannett is not a long walk-up. The mountain is guarded by glaciers, remote basins, and long approaches from every direction. Glaciers on and around the peak include the Gannett, Minor, Dinwoody, and Gooseneck Glaciers; the standard eastern route is shaped mainly by the Dinwoody and Gooseneck systems. Successful parties need backpacking endurance, glacier-travel competence, and the judgment to move efficiently in changing alpine conditions.

Recommended Route

Glacier Trail Approach

The standard eastern approach begins near Trail Lake Ranch outside Dubois at roughly 7,600 feet and follows the Glacier Trail into the Dinwoody drainage. This route is long but direct, usually requiring four to six days round trip. Parties commonly establish a high camp near the tarns below Dinwoody Glacier, around 10,800 feet, before attempting the summit.

From high camp, the summit day is a full alpine climb involving glacier travel, crevasse navigation, and mixed snow-and-rock terrain. The route generally crosses the Dinwoody Glacier, ascends toward the Gooseneck Glacier and Gooseneck Couloir, then continues past or through a variable bergschrund zone before reaching the upper mountain and summit ridge. Most parties begin well before dawn to take advantage of firmer snow and reduce exposure to afternoon thunderstorms and weakening snow bridges.

Important landmarks on the eastern route include Glacier Pass, the Dinwoody basin high camps, Dinwoody Glacier, Gooseneck Glacier, Gooseneck Couloir, and the summit ridge. Exact routing changes with snow coverage, crevasse patterns, and bergschrund condition.

Gannett requires glacier-mountaineering skills, not just hiking fitness. Rope-team travel, crevasse rescue, cramponing, ice-axe use, self-arrest, and competent route-finding are expected. Crevasses on the Dinwoody and Gooseneck Glaciers are a major hazard, especially later in the season as snow bridges weaken. The bergschrund below the upper mountain varies year to year and often becomes more difficult as summer progresses.

The approach is also physically demanding. Parties face long mileage, substantial elevation gain, remote camping, and numerous stream crossings that can be especially hazardous during early-season runoff and warm afternoons. Limited rescue options and short summit windows are common realities in summer.

The western approach via Titcomb Basin is also possible and can be shorter in mileage, but it requires crossing Bonney Pass and adds significant elevation loss and regain, increasing logistical complexity. For most parties, the Glacier Trail approach remains the standard route.

Key Landmarks

Glacier Pass (~10,700 ft)
Dinwoody Glacier (~9,500–10,000 ft)
Gooseneck Glacier (~10,500–11,500 ft)
Gooseneck Couloir (~11,500–13,000 ft)

warning

Alpine start (midnight to 5 AM) is highly recommended to secure stable snow conditions, minimize crevasse hazard, and allow time to manage bergschrund crossing before afternoon warming weakens snow bridges.

Permits & Camping

Climbing Permits

Individual climbers generally do not need a standard climbing permit for Gannett Peak. However, organized groups (such as Scouts, church groups, or climbing clubs), commercial trips, and stock-supported parties may need a Group Use Visitor Permit from the Forest Service. Group-size limits, food-storage rules, stock restrictions, fire restrictions, and campsite regulations should be verified with the appropriate ranger district before departure.

Camping & Wilderness

Established or commonly used camping areas along the eastern approach include Double Lake, Star Lake, and tarns near the Dinwoody Glacier basin. Water is generally available along the approach, but snowmelt may be necessary near or above high camp. Because this is grizzly-bear habitat, food, garbage, and scented attractants must be stored in compliance with current Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forest food-storage orders. Parties should carry an approved bear-resistant storage system or be prepared to hang food in a regulation-compliant way where allowed.

Standard eastern trailhead: Trail Lake Ranch area outside Dubois (~7,600 ft). Verify group-use permits, food-storage rules, and current route conditions with Shoshone and Bridger-Teton National Forest ranger districts before departure.

Wildlife & Seasonal Conditions

July and August offer prime climbing conditions; June through September can be workable depending on snowpack, crevasse exposure, and stream-crossing difficulty. Grizzly bears are present in the Wind River backcountry; follow current food-storage orders and keep a clean camp.