Green River

 Fryxell, Green River Lakes

On the flanks of Wyoming’s 13,800-foot high point – Gannett Peak – the melt waters of the rapidly receding Mammoth and Minor Glaciers begin a 1,700-mile attempt to reach the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean. 

 Amy McCarthy, The Green River

After leaving the Wind River Mountains and Bridger Wilderness, The Green River meanders through high sagebrush-steppe. Surrounded by the snow-covered peaks of the Wind River, Gros Ventre, and Wyoming Ranges, the river corridor provides important habitat for terrestrial, avian, and freshwater species. This includes the “Path of the Pronghorn”, an ancient 150-mile migration route that pronghorn travel annually between Grand Teton National Park and the Upper Green River Valley.  The river is also home to the endangered Kendall Warm Springs dace.

Pronghorn

Great Blue Heron

As recently as 2011 the State of Wyoming seriously considered constructing a dam on this wild and scenic stretch of river.

On June 23 and 24, 2012 my wife and I spent two satisfying days exploring the 50-mile stretch between Green River Lakes and Warren Bridge. This was also the first camping trip for the newest member of our family – Fryxell. 

Amy and Fryxell, Whiskey Grove Campground

Amy enjoying some fun and easy whitewater

The USGS Gage at Warren Bridge reported an average of 1,400cfs. This was an ideal flow for a leisurely trip in packrafts. The technical crux consists of a sustained Class 3 section bellow the confluence with the Roaring Fork. Additionally, sections of Class 2 exist below Kendall Hot Springs, south of Black Butte, and above the Warren Bridge.

Amy McCarthy, Kendall Warm Springs

Amy and Fryxell learning the Doggie Paddle

Fryxell and the Wind River Range

Fryxell is a border collie, Idaho cow dog, mutt. We named him after mountaineer and geologist - Fritiof Fryxell. Best known for his research and writing on the Teton Range of Wyoming, Fryxell was named the park’s first naturalist. He not only named most of the Teton peaks, he was the first to climb many of them. Like the mountaineer and a scholar, our Fryxell is both smart and athletic.

Fryxell and his Ruffwear Bivy Bowl