Medicine Bow Mountains
Scattered over four disjunctive areas in Wyoming, the Medicine Bow Mountains, with peaks rising over 12,000-feet, are an amazing site to see if you are traveling through the southeastern portion of the state en route to Jackson. Situated approximately 300 miles from Jackson Hole, the Medicine Bow area, locally called the Snowy Range, had a huge mining attraction in the 1800s. But, when a majority of the gold and copper deposits were mined out, logging became the primary use of this mountainous country. Logging is still an important resource in the area, but recreation is increasingly becoming the dominant use of the forest as more and more people are discovering the beauty of this scenic landscape.
Jumping off the congested and busy pavement of Interstate 80 and heading west from Laramie on State Hwy. 130, you will journey through some of the most desolate country in Wyoming, with flat grassland stretching in all directions, interrupted by jagged peaks to the east, south and west. Crossing the Overland Trail, which ferried emigrants, mail and freight west between 1862 and 1868, the road dips down to sample the tree-lined beauty of Little Laramie Creek and than begins the long ascent to Snowy Range Pass and ski area-which in winter has some of the best skiing in the state with the exception of Jackson Hole. You will also pass through the tourist trap town of Centennial with its old log homes and house trailers.
Being the main attraction in the area, the Snowy Range is an outdoor enthusiasts playground and, if nothing else, an enjoyable drive through the country. Ten-foot drifts are not uncommon in the winter, and snow usually remains on high passes until late summer. Most visitors simply enjoy the drive over the mountains and the opportunity to camp beside an alpine lake. A number of short relatively easy hiking trails and outstanding trout fishing make this a very popular spot. The Forest Service has detailed maps and handy literature at its Laramie office.
Designated a National Scenic Byway, the 40-mile drive over the Snowy Range is quite dramatic. Climbing sharply through lodgepole and spruce forests, the pass, which is popular with snowmobilers and cross-country skiers at the higher elevations, is closed due to snow from late Oct. to Memorial Day. The road is opened year-round to just beyond the Snowy Range Ski Area. At 10,847-feet, Snowy Range Pass is the second highest in the state. Just east of the pass, be sure to stop at Sugarloaf Recreation Area with its stunning glacially carved spires, Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. This area is also home to acres of backcountry hiking trails.
Twenty-five different Forest Service campgrounds dot the Medicine Bow Mountains. Most of these are open June-Oct., but the season varies depending on snow conditions. Summer is the busiest season, so it is recommended to arrive at most popular sites early in the day. The Forest Service also rents out a handful of historic cabins in the area, but youll need to bring your own bedding and personal supplies. Numerous mountain lodges are also available.
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