Laramie is nestled in a high elevation valley with mountains on multiple sides. It makes it a perfect jumping off location for outdoor adventure and days spent exploring the surrounding trails. Whether looking for views of Elk Mountain, exploring the old homestead town at Sand Lake or simply adventuring in the Snowy Mountains, there is some wonderful hiking in the area. Here are a couple hiking suggestions for your next stay in Laramie that will get you outside and immersed in nature.
When most of us think of hiking in the West, we are thinking of big mountains. Rocky, jagged peaks that soar up from the surrounding landscape leaving us in awe of the scale and beauty. Medicine Bow Peak and its neighboring peaks fit this bill perfectly. They climb up out of the alpine in massive towering forms of hard granite. Beautiful and stunning to view from below, they overlook a vast wilderness landscape.
Disclaimer – All recommendations are generalized for the distances and time taken, they may vary based on the individual hiker and experience level.
Medicine Bow Peak
There are two ways to access these peaks on foot. A trail on both sides of the mountains, one from the southeast and one from the west. The first is from the SE side starting at Lewis lake in the Sugar Loaf Recreation area. It is a relatively short hike at just 3.4 Miles, but don’t let that fool you, it is a steep hike climbing up and around the back side to reach the summit. It takes a few hours round trip but is a great option for those wishing to summit the tallest peak in the snowy range and take in a grand view of the area. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/medicine-bow-peak-trail–2
Lake Hikes
The second option for summiting Medicine Bow peak is to start on the west side of the peak at Lake Marie. It is a 7-mile loop trail that goes up switchbacks along the west side and then along the ridge to the summit of Medicine Bow. Instead of going back the way you came, you will continue your journey back down towards Sugar Loaf and then along three different lakes at the base of the peaks as you work your way back to your starting point. You hike along Lookout Lake, Mirror Lake and Lake Marie. All are stunning, offering cool crisp water with reflections of the mountains and a view that will leave you feeling tiny as you stare upwards at the walls of rock jutting up into the sky above you. This trail is 7 miles round trip, so allow for a few additional hours on this hike. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/medicine-bow-peak-via-lakes-trail-loop
If climbing up to the tops of mountains, navigating boulders and switchbacks isn’t quite your cup of tea, that’s ok, there are many more possibilities for you. The alpine lakes offer a stunning view of the mountain tops without the elevation gain required to summit them. The previously mentioned section of trail along the three surrounding lakes lying below Medicine Bow are a great place to start. The hike can be started from either end at Lake Marie or Sugar Loaf, it is a 5-mile out and back hike along the lakes. For a shortened hike you can start at Lake Marie and end at Lookout Lake which is a relatively easy 3-mile hike with minimal elevation gain, but spectacular views.
If you’re looking for some other lake hikes that aren’t at the base of Medicine Bow and to escape the crowds, check out some of the other hikes from Sugar Loaf that will head to Lewis and Gap lakes, or Lost lakes and West Glacier Lake. These will both offer hikes with great views and wildflowers without much elevation gain. They are great for those who want less strenuous trails or are hiking with young children.
Forest Hikes
Our last trail recommendation is a bit different. Instead of heading up a mountain peak or following along below the peaks exploring the beautiful alpine lakes, this one is going to plunge you down into the forest. French Creek Canyon trail is about a 10-mile out and back hike that follows a beautiful creek from Lake Marie down to the creek valley bottom below. It winds down the canyon through forest and meadows. It still offers great views of Medicine Bow from further below as you make your way down along the creek. It can be a great option for hotter days or if you’re looking for more solitude as it tends to be less busy than the hikes surrounding the namesake peak. It can also offer great opportunities for spotting animals in the area such as deer, elk, or moose as you make your way through the forest and meadows. Last time we were in the area we managed to spot a moose and have a private viewing of it far from any roads in an open meadow. Keep in mind it is a reverse hike, starting high and heading downhill, so the second half of the hike on the return to the car will be more strenuous and take longer than the first half. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/french-creek-canyon-trail-via-tipple-trailhead
Whether you’re looking to climb mountains, stroll along lakes, or explore the woods for animals, there are endless options of fantastic hikes just 40 minutes outside of Laramie. They make for a great day trip to get out and explore and can also be done in conjunction with many water sports like SUP or kayaking or fishing! Make sure that you are prepared when hiking. Bring plenty of water and snacks along with you on the trail as well as a backpack with some essentials like a first aid kit, rain jacket, and of course a camera to capture all of the beautiful views and memories you make out on the trail!
MC Exploring 