Exploring the Backcountry

MOUNTAIN BIKING

Fat tire riders will find miles of unsurpassed scenery and wildlife on the many diverse trails marked for mountain bikes. Explore trails and roads that cross 933,929 acres of Medicine Bow National Forest--plus additional paved and unpaved roads through surrounding BLM and State lands. These trails offer a wide range of difficulties from beginner to technical riders with superb challenges such as steep climbs and descents, jumps and water crossings.

The Little Laramie, Corner Mountain and Chimney Park trails of the Snowy Range provide challenging, yet shorter rides at lower elevations. Also used as cross-country ski trails in the winter, they tend to be free from boulders and logs and are great for less experienced riders.

The Medicine Bow Non-Motorized Recreation Trail is Wyoming's longest rail-trail stretching close to 25 miles from south of Albany, WY to the Colorado border. Old rail tracks from the Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railroad have been converted into this scenic, hard-packed gravel hiking and biking trail. There are picnic tables and restrooms at the Pelton Creek, Woods Creek and Lake Owen Trail heads and a hand pump for water at Lake Owen.

For more challenging mountain bike rides, try the Continental Divide Trail and the road leading to the Green Mountain Falls Trail in the Sierra Madre Range. These rides include moderate to steep climbs, excellent scenery and several rocks to negociate. Park bikes near the Green Mountain Falls Trailhead and hike to the entrance to the Huston Park Wilderness area. From here, the Falls are a short hike...and well worth it.

Backcountry Checklist | Hiking | ORVs | Technical Rock Climbing