(Snowies)

HIKING

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The US Forest Service has invested considerable capital and manpower into trails and trail maintenance in this area.  None the less, the use of these facilities remains fairly low - with certain obvious exceptions.  This is most fortunate because nearly all trails are at 10,000 feet in altitude and above and the flora and supportive underlayment are particularly fragile.  Please be observant of these facts and treat this place with special care.

There are no less than 18 trails that thread throughout this area ranging from just 0.2 to over 8 miles in length.  They access terrain as diverse as deep rocky canyons, flowery meadows, clear alpine lakes, stunning sheer rock faces and one of the highest points in the State.  These trails are itemized, described and diagrammed in a small USFS Brochure entitled "Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest:  Snowy Range Trails".  Its rather hard to find.  You might try calling the USFS Office in Laramie (307-745-8971) and try to locate one.  Another 'brochure' that's particularly helpful is the so-called 'visitor's Guide'.  Ask for it - They will know what you are talking about....

* NOTES:

-I'll reproduce the "TRAILS GUIDE" here if I find the time.  In the meantime - LOOK AT THE MAP FOUND HERE .

-Below find a list of most of the trails with minimal detail.

*Remember, all of these trails are above 10,000 feet in altitude ! 

                     Be prepared for all contingencies !

      Trail Name       Length (Mi)    change in elev.     Trailhead Location          Other Information

1.) Heart Lake Trail (#101)     0.8          200'      Dipper Lake, Forest Road #103     Very scenic, west side of Med Bow Peak.

2.) Quealy Lake (#102)     4.1        500'       Quealy Lake, Forest Road #103      Crosses subalpine terrain, 3 lakes, N of Med Bow ridge.

3.) Vagner Lake Trail (#103)    0.5     100'      Quealy Lake, Forest Road #103     Spur from Quealy Lake Trail to Vagner Lake.  

4.) North Gap Lake (#108)     2.5      700'        Lewis Lake Trailhead      Follows a gentle grade, several lakes, boulder fields.

5.) Shelf Lakes Trail (#109)     1.1      120'      Lewis lake Trailhead      Scenic alpine trail, north side of Brown's Peak.

6.) Lake Marie Falls (#290)    0.2      50'      Lake Marie, West Parking Lot     Short scenic loop, So. French Creek, waterfalls.

7.) Silver Lake (#291)      1.1      280'     Silver Lake Trailhead    Loop trail around lake, subalpine terrain, great views of rocks and creeks.

8.) Tipple (#293)     2.1      400'      Tipple Trailhead or Miner's Cabin Trailhead     Subalpine, great views of rocks and creeks.   

9.) Dipper Lake (#294)     3.4      1400'     Dipper Lake, Forest Road #103    Passes lake and climbs steeply to Med Bow Peak.

10.) Medicine Bow Peak Trail , aka MBPT (#295)   4.5    1600'    Connects Lake Marie on the West to Lewis Lake on the East, surmounting MedBow Peak .  Steep, open rocky alpine panoramas.  Goes behind, west of, the Southeast faces. Very exposed during bad weather..

11.) Lakes (#296)    1.8      900'      Mirror Lake Picnic Area.  Open alpine past Lookout Lake, panoramas sheer rock faces, Med Bow Peak, and superb alpine terrain.  Highly recommended.

12.) Meadow Falls (#297)     2.7      350'     Silver Lake Trailhead     Loop Trail, subalpine, 600' spur to waterfall.

13.) French Creek Canyon (#298)     5.3     1600'     Tipple or Miner's or French Creek    Superb, subalpine, meadows, canyon, etc.

14.) Lost Lake (#395)     3.5      180'      Lewis Lake or Brooklyn Lake Campground     Subalpine thru meadows, streams and lakes.

15.) Deep Lake (#110)     0.5      200'     Sand Lake or Sheep Lake or Lewis Lake     Access only from Quealy Lake Trail #102.

16.) Miners Cabin (#0.7)     0.7     200'    Med Bow Peak Overlook (off Hiway 130)    A short, self-guided loop, historic mine, cabin, informative signs.  

17.) Sheep Lake (#8.2)     8.2      1300'     Sand Lake or Sheep Lake, Forest Road #317    High, flat subalpine open parks, lakes, streams.

18.) North Fork Trail (#390)    4.4     1300'     North Fork, Forest Rd #317 or N. Fk. Cmpgd.    Follows L. Laramie River, fishing, biking.

MORE  DETAIL LATER !!! 

 

     Snowy Range