Hiking Trails | Mountain Bike Trails | ORV Trails | Horseback Riding | Technical Rock Climbing
Magnificent views of this glacier-carved landscape and alpine lakes attract hikers and photographers alike.
Whether exploring the backcountry on foot, horseback, ATV, jeep, motorcycle or mountain bike, be prepared by reviewing the BACKCOUNTRY CHECKLIST to the right.
Having the right gear and knowing when and how to use it is important. And don’t forget your camera! Scenic panoramas, abundant wildlife and wildflowers add to your
journey in the mountains of southern Wyoming.
The Snowy Range, the Sierra Madre Mountain Range and Pole Mountain, each separate and diverse from one another, create unlimited opportunities for extended backcountry trips as well as day hikes. The maps on this website are designed
to provide a general overview of the trails and road networks. More detailed, topographic maps are available at local government agencies and retailers.
Hiking Trails
There are over 50 hiking trails in the Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Range ranging from 7,400 ft. to 11,200 ft. in elevation.
The trails are often shared between hikers, mountain bikes, equestrians and ATVs and offer a variety of difficulty levels. VIP's Snowy Range
& Sierra Madre Recreation Map shows the location, distance, elevation gain, multiple-use and difficulty of each trail.
Several trails pass through designated Wilderness Areas: Savage Run, Platte River, Huston Park, Encampment River and lands surrounding the Rock Creek Trail.
Wilderness areas are roadless, with few signs and no services. Motorized vehicles and mountain bikes are not allowed in an effort to preserve the solitude of these
relatively undisturbed areas of the forest.
Some of the most spectacular, yet strenuous, trails in the Snowy Range lead to the 12,013 ft. summit of Medicine Bow Peak. These trails begin at the Sugarloaf
Recreation Area along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Highway 130. They are accessible late-June/early-July through October, weather permitting.
Get an early start when hiking these upper elevation trails as winds (and sometimes storms) tend to arrive by mid-afternoon. Lakes and streams seem to be everywhere, so
bring along a fishing pole. See Where to Fish for the types of fish available in most of these lakes and the Upper Elevation Trails and Lakes Map. When hiking the Snowy Range and other trails at high elevations, certain normal physiologic changes occur, such as hyperventilation and
shortness of breath during exertion. As a precaution, allow your body a couple of days to acclimate before exploring the high country.
The Sierra Madre Range presents many challenging hikes, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This 45.9 mile trail climbs above 10,000 feet
with some of the best vistas of Carbon County. It is part of the 2,500-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route that follows the Continental Divide from Canada to
Mexico. The CDT enters the forest at the Colorado border, straddles the Huston Park Wilderness and continues northwest past Divide Peak. Five access points in this
region are well marked on VIP's Snowy Range & Sierra Madre Recreation Map. The majority of the CDT is best explored via mountain bike,
jeep or 4WD, however, a few segments are accessible to hikers and equestrians only. Additional hiking trails tie into the CDT and provide for more variety in the length
and difficulty level of each adventure. Many historical buildings and remnants of the mining era add extra excitement to your journey. For additional access points that
extend north of Divide Peak, see the Continental Divide Trail Map.
The Encampment River Trail, named for the river it follows, is one of the most picturesque trails in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, with portions of the river shadowed
by steep canyon walls. Bring your fishing pole along as there are plenty of chances to hook some nice brown trout. Since this trail is roughly 15 miles one way, consider
leaving a vehicle at the upper trailhead near the Encampment River Campground and driving to the lower trailhead near the Hog Park Campground for an all-day hike down the
river.
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Mountain Bike Trails
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, Brush Creek and Chimney Park trails of the Snowy Range provide challenging, yet shorter rides at lower elevations. These trails are also used as cross-country ski trails in the winter, so 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, Wyoming 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. Picnic tables and restrooms
are available at the Pelton Creek, Woods Creek and Lake Owen Trailheads. There is also a hand pump for water at Lake Owen. For a map of the Medicine Bow Non-Motorized Recreation Trail, click here.
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ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Trails
Motorcycles, ATVs and jeeps are popular alternatives to a strenuous hike or mountain bike ride for exploring this beautiful country. There is a large network of paved and
unpaved established roads throughout the Forest and surrounding State and BLM lands. Jeep and ATV rentals are available through the The
Albany Lodge. Please note that on established Wyoming roadways, all motorcycles and ATVs are required to be street legal and display a motorcycle license plate.
The Medicine Bow National Forest has designated “trails” that are signed as part of the State ORV Program. Additionally, the Forest Service provides a free motor vehicle
use map (MVUM). The MVUM is available locally and online at http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/mbr/recreation/
travel_management/mvumindex.shtml. When operating a motorcycle or ATV on these “trails”, an ORV permit is required. The Wyoming State Trails Program also has developed ORV
maps that can be obtained locally. As this program is frequently updated and subject to change, please contact the Forest Service for updates. ORV trails, including the new Stump Hollow Designated ORV Trail,
are well marked on VIP's Snowy Range and Sierra Madre Recreation Map.
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Horseback Riding
There are numerous trails for those who own their own horses or those on guided horseback trips. As these trails are often shared with
hikers and mountain bikes, trail courtesy should be practiced to ensure everyone’s safety.
- Travel single file to avoid widening the trail & damaging vegetation.
- Ford streams at designated crossings.
- Do not cut switchbacks.
- Do not tie livestock to trees.
- Only certified weed-free feed is allowed on the Forest.
- Portable corrals or highline are recommended for containing horses.
- Group size is limited to a combined group of 25 animals/people (with the maximum number of people not) to exceed 15 in wilderness areas.
- Hobble, tie or picket livestock at least 100 feet from lakes & streams.
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Technical Rock Climbing
Southern Wyoming offers climbers remarkable views of the Continental Divide, the northern peaks of Colorado, alpine lakes and various other landmarks while ascending
massive granite formations. Rock climbing is best May-September.
While long traditional multi-pitch ascents can be found at Medicine Bow Peak in the Snowy Range, the real gem in this corner of Wyoming is Vedauwoo (pronounced
vee-da-voo), located 15 miles east of Laramie on I-80, in the southwestern portion of Pole Mountain. Vedauwoo has multi-pitch
ascents, yet it offers some of the most rewarding and best crack climbing in the country. It is best know for its wide, grueling and often
punishing routes, but there are routes for all levels of climbers.
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The Vee Bar Guest Ranch and Bed & Breakfast
21 mi. W. of Laramie on Hwy. 130 | 2091 State Hwy. 130
Laramie, WY 82070
800-483-3227 | 307-745-7036 | FAX 307-745-7433
veebar@veebar.com | www.veebar.com
One-of-a-kind, year 'round family adventure. Cozy, comfortable cabins with decks, private bathrooms, small refrigerator,
coffee maker and washer/dryer. Hearty ranch cooking in the historic main lodge. Summer horseback trail rides, cattle drives,
wagon rides, hikes and 1.5 miles of river and pond fishing. Skiing and snowmobile access to the mountains nearby.
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Albany Lodge
35 miles W. Laramie via Hwy. 130 & 11
1148 State Hwy. 11
Laramie, WY 82070
800-291-5959 | 307-745-5782
www.albanylodge.com
Retreat yourself! Explore some of the most scenic and remote regions of the Snowy Range
with a GPS-Guided Jeep Tour. Our Jeep Wranglers are properly equipped for backcountry travel on unpaved
forest roads. And after a day filled with great vistas, there’s nothing better than a retreat to a
fully-equipped campsite. Choose from hard-sided or pop-up campers or tent camping. Call us for details;
reservations are required. Open 365 days a year for lodging, dining, bar, fuel, packaged liquor, convenience
store, camper, jeep, ATV and snowmobile rentals. Click here to see our ad. |
