Wind River Wilderness - Adult 50+

Spend 14 days backpacking 40-60 miles through Wyoming’s Wind River Range — rugged, glacier-carved mountains renowned for sheer granite walls, alpine lakes, and world-class fishing. This course is designed specifically for adults 50 and over looking for an adventure with motivated peers.

Packhorses carry the bulk of your food, keeping your pack weight around 40 pounds so you can move comfortably through elevations from 8,000 to 12,000 feet. Your instructors will start with the fundamentals — camping, cooking, Leave No Trace principles, and grizzly bear protocols. Then you’ll cover more advanced topics like the NOLS leadership curriculum, risk management, and navigation with map and compass.

Photo by Jane Regan

The Winds are known for their fishing, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to take advantage of it. Layover days give you time to cast a line, attempt a peak on the surrounding granite, or simply read in the sun.

Photo by Vaugh Burnett

Weather in the Rocky Mountains can be unpredictable — cold, snow, and high winds can arrive any month of the year. The community you build throughout the expedition will help you through the challenging moments.

You’ll leave with the outdoor and leadership skills to plan your own wilderness trips, and two weeks spent immersed in one of the most beautiful ranges in the American West.