Wyoming Peak and Mount Coffin in Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY

Hike Wyoming Peak and Mount Coffin Bridger-Teton National Forest, WY

Class 2 9.4 miles 3100 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 20, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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I planned to meet up with my friend Yossi for Wyoming Peak, but neither of us had the sense to consider the road conditions of the area. Without a way to communicate, I found myself driving up and down on rocky roads at 1am looking for his van that never made it before I passed out alone in the middle of nowhere questioning my endless poor life choices and weird committment to this dumb hobby. Later research revealed that I managed to take a bad road into the area, and he had somehow chosen an even worse one. To prevent a similar fate, I recommend just coming in from the north via Alpine, WY on a road that's graded until here (42.82329, -110.68948), or coming in over McDougal Gap from the east. I came in from the south via this road (42.5288652, -110.89723) which is okay for crossover vehicles, but slow enough that it might not have been worth the shorter distance and potential for getting stuck in mud. From the main forest road running north to south that separates the Salt River Range from the Wyoming Range (a road that looks far less long on a map than it is), I headed east here (42.57110, -110.67820) on a decent spur road leading to the trailhead. This side road makes a loop and returns farther north, but other reports stated the north side of the loop is more rough, so I didn't risk it.

I set out along the official Wyoming Peak Trail, a surprisingly well-maintained hike despite its remoteness. I even passed three other parties on my way back. After a few long switchbacks up the western slope of Wyoming Peak, I reached the base of the mountain. The trail continued more steeply to its summit, where I took in the views of the Wyoming Range and got the jitters of excitement to return to the area at some point to check out the Salt River Range, which parallels this one to the west.

From the summit of Wyoming Peak, I headed north on light Class 2 in order to make my way to Mount Coffin. There was a social trail much of the way down to the saddle, but it disappeared once in a while on tundra sections. Keeping to the left of some rock outcroppings, I made my way up the quickly worsening terrain. I'm not sure why I thought Mount Coffin would be just a nice tundra walk, but I became aware I'd been mistaken. I picked my way up loose stuff, trying to stick to the crest when I could. A social trail materialized again and it led to the crest, where the rockiness cooled off for a bit until the final 50+ feet to the summit, where an eroded cliff band almost shut me down. After poking around a hundred feet on the left (it was all rotten and loose), I backtracked and located a Class 3 exposed ledge move directly along the crest that I had no intention of repeating on the way down. Instead I recommend locating a Class 2+ set of moves on somewhat sturdy rock just left of the crest, followed by a short Class 2 gully. Both options lead to the Class 2 final bit to the summit of Mount Coffin, but the latter was definitely less dangerous.

On my way back from Mount Coffin, I stuck to the west slope of Wyoming Peak rather than re-ascend. A somewhat easy to follow trail kept the going pretty nice. Without locating this trail, the rocky slope would be tedious. This little side trail got me back to the main Wyoming Peak Trail, which I took back to my car.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Wyoming Peak
11378 ft
3538 rise
2
Mount Coffin
11242 ft
402 rise

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Starting along the Wyoming Peak Trail.
Starting along the Wyoming Peak Trail.
Views to the southwest.
Views to the southwest.
Views northwest, toward the Salt River Range.
Views northwest, toward the Salt River Range.
Getting higher on the Wyoming Peak Trail.
Getting higher on the Wyoming Peak Trail.
A shot back again. You can see the trailhead below on the left.
A shot back again. You can see the trailhead below on the left.
The trail emerges from the trees, Mount Coffin visible in the distance. The lighting is different because the previous photos were from on my way back, when the light was nicer.
The trail emerges from the trees, Mount Coffin visible in the distance. The lighting is different because the previous photos were from on my way back, when the light was nicer.
Looking back.
Looking back.
Wyoming Peak seen ahead, Mount Coffin on the left.
Wyoming Peak seen ahead, Mount Coffin on the left.
Approaching the last bit to Wyoming Peak.
Approaching the last bit to Wyoming Peak.
View back toward some unranked sub-peak called March Madness as I make my way up to Wyoming Peak.
View back toward some unranked sub-peak called March Madness as I make my way up to Wyoming Peak.
Wyoming Peak summit.
Wyoming Peak summit.
Heading toward Mount Coffin next.
Heading toward Mount Coffin next.
Tundra near the saddle, Mount Coffin ahead.
Tundra near the saddle, Mount Coffin ahead.
Rocky stuff along the crest at the base of Mount Coffin.
Rocky stuff along the crest at the base of Mount Coffin.
Some Class 2 side-hilling, but you can see the social trail materialize ahead. It's not always obvious.
Some Class 2 side-hilling, but you can see the social trail materialize ahead. It's not always obvious.
View back toward Wyoming Peak.
View back toward Wyoming Peak.
Along the social trail, which leads along the crest.
Along the social trail, which leads along the crest.
Approaching the final cliff band protecting the summit.
Approaching the final cliff band protecting the summit.
On the left, the terrain is horrible.  However, just left of the crest is a Class 2+ option (top center in this photo). It's not clear from below.
On the left, the terrain is horrible. However, just left of the crest is a Class 2+ option (top center in this photo). It's not clear from below.
Close-up of the Class 2+ option.
Close-up of the Class 2+ option.
View down at the Class 2+ option (left). Coming directly up would be too lose for my taste. Behind me is easier terrain.
View down at the Class 2+ option (left). Coming directly up would be too lose for my taste. Behind me is easier terrain.
Alternative to the not-so-obvious Class 2+ option (not recommended): An exposed Class 3 ledge move along the crest.
Alternative to the not-so-obvious Class 2+ option (not recommended): An exposed Class 3 ledge move along the crest.
Summit of Mount Coffin, view toward Wyoming Peak.
Summit of Mount Coffin, view toward Wyoming Peak.
Mount Coffin, view east.
Mount Coffin, view east.
Mount Coffin, view north.
Mount Coffin, view north.
I traversed on the west side of Wyoming Peak to get back from Mount Coffin. There was a social trail much of the way. Not pictured was rocky terrain that would be a little annoying if you can't find the social trail.
I traversed on the west side of Wyoming Peak to get back from Mount Coffin. There was a social trail much of the way. Not pictured was rocky terrain that would be a little annoying if you can't find the social trail.
Looking back once I made it back along the Wyoming Peak Trail.
Looking back once I made it back along the Wyoming Peak Trail.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!