Area 79 covers the western flank of the Wind River Range and the Bridger Wilderness north of Pinedale—the granite high country that gives the Winds their reputation. Elevations run from about 7,000 feet on the lower forest fringes to over 13,000 feet on Gannett Peak (13,809), Fremont Peak (13,745), and the surrounding cirque country. The Bridger Wilderness covers about 428,000 acres—one of the largest wilderness areas in the lower 48—and the Winds here are spectacular: glacially carved cirques, alpine lakes (Titcomb Basin alone holds dozens), persistent snowfields and glaciers, granite walls, and the kind of high country that backpacking magazines put on their covers. The lower country is timbered with lodgepole, Engelmann spruce, and aspen, but the wilderness above 10,000 feet is rock, water, and tundra. Bridger-Teton National Forest and the Bridger Wilderness dominate. Forest roads from Pinedale climb to trailheads at Big Sandy, Elkhart Park, Boulder Lake, New Fork Lake, and Green River Lakes—all are gateways into the wilderness. Pinedale is the full-service supply town with gas, motels, gear shops, and the Cowboy Cafe. Cell service drops at the trailheads. Pack-in wilderness hunting; outfitters with horse strings are common because the distances and elevation gain demand it. Mule deer and elk in the timber and meadow margins, and bighorn sheep on the high cliffs for those who draw. Area 79 in the heart of the Wyoming Range is one of the state's most popular elk units, and nonresident tags are competitive at 3-6 preference points. No wilderness designations apply, but significant roadless areas exist along the range crest. No grizzly bears are present. The Bridger-Teton National Forest provides excellent public access, with private ranch land on the eastern sage foothills. The area is known for high elk densities — the Wyoming Range supports one of Wyoming's largest migratory elk herds, and the combination of accessible terrain and strong numbers makes this a go-to destination for both residents and nonresidents. The Middle Piney, North Piney, and LaBarge Creek drainages are the classic hunting corridors. Trophy bull quality is moderate (280-310 class) due to the heavy pressure, but meat-hunter success rates are among the highest in western Wyoming. Snow is the great equalizer — a good October storm pushes elk out of the high parks and concentrates them in the mid-elevation timber where hunters are waiting.