Unit 5

Togwotee Pass and Union Pass serve as major navigational anchors and traditional travel corridors. The DuNoir Glacier, though modest, provides a distinctive landmark in the high country. Named basins—Ramshorn, East Fork, Bear—offer clear reference points for orientation.

Prominent summits like Ramshorn Peak, Table Mountain, and Wiggins Peak are visible for miles and useful for glassing from distance. Brooks Lake and the smaller alpine lakes (Sheep, Murray, Trout Creek) mark drainages and water sources. Ridge systems (Elkhorn, Indian, Diamond) form natural travel corridors.

The unit spans from mid-elevation valley floors near 6,400 feet to alpine summits exceeding 12,500 feet, with most terrain in the upper elevation band. High-country ridgelines and passes dominate the eastern portion, while western drainages hold timbered slopes and subalpine meadows. Moderate forest coverage consists primarily of lodgepole and whitebark pine at higher elevations, transitioning to spruce-fir in protected valleys.

The high elevation means significant seasonal snow; lower basins and south-facing slopes shed snow earlier in spring, while north aspects retain cover longer.

Fair road access via Shoshone National Forest Road 263 (Union Pass Road) and Road 554 (Wildcat Loop) provides entry points, but once off pavement, terrain becomes remote quickly. The 466 miles of total roads translates to sparse connectivity; much of the unit requires backcountry travel on foot or horseback. Most pressure concentrates along established trails and near accessible passes.

The extreme terrain complexity and high elevation limit casual access, creating pockets of solitude beyond the immediate road corridors. Early season may see more pressure near trailheads; as snow advances, access becomes increasingly difficult.

Unit 5 encompasses the Wind River drainage north of Highway 26/287, bounded on the east by the Continental Divide and on the south by the Wind River Reservation. The unit is massive, stretching from Union Pass in the south to the high peaks above timberline in the north, with portions of the Shoshone National Forest forming its core. Togwotee Pass (9,658 feet) marks a major landmark along the northern boundary.

The terrain is defined by the Continental Divide running through its eastern portion and the complex basin system of the Wind River headwaters in the west.

Water is limited and seasonal throughout much of the unit. Major drainages include Salt Creek, East Du Noir Creek, Wolf Creek, and Trappers Creek, though these often run low by mid-to-late summer. Brooks Lake, Sheep Lake, and Ramshorn Lakes provide reliable water sources in the high country.

Bartrand Spring and other scattered springs exist but their reliability varies seasonally. The high elevation and rugged topography mean most water is concentrated in drainages; hunters must plan water strategies carefully, especially in late season. Alkali Bog and wet meadows (Hough Meadow, Deacon Meadows) provide seasonal water.

Unit 5 historically supports wolves in the high basins and ridgeline country. The extensive alpine and subalpine habitat, combined with abundant prey species, makes this prime wolf country. Successful hunting requires understanding movement patterns through major passes and along ridge systems.

Early season offers access to higher elevations when snow is minimal; glassing from high ridges can reveal wolves moving between basins. Late season may push wolves to lower, timbered drainages as snow deepens. The rugged terrain demands excellent navigation and self-sufficiency.

Horseback travel is often necessary to cover the distances and access remote basins effectively.