CANCELLED: Medicine Bow Peak and Lakes Trail Loop - see comment

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This hike has been on my list for a while. It is a bit further from Denver, about 3 hours drive but totally worth it. Optionally, you can stay close to the park the night before. Centennial, WY or Laramie, WY are great options.

Medicine Bow Peak (12,018 ft) is the highest peak in the Snowy Range, a part of the Medicine Bow Mountains, and is the highest point in southern Wyoming. The peak was glaciated until quite recently, and year-round snowfields are still present on its flanks. Several glacier lakes are located at the base of the peak.

We start at West Lake Marie TH and make a 7 miles loop going clockwise. This stunning loop takes you to the summit of Medicine Bow Peak and back along the Lakes Trail. This steep route follows switchbacks to the the highest points in the Snowy Range. We'll encounter dazzling views of the Snowy Range, and scrambling as we get closer to the summit.

Most likely we will encounter some snow patches at the higher elevation. MICROSPIKES AND HIKING POLES are STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. This is not a technical hike and no technical gear except for poles and microspikes will be used if we encounter snow fields hard to cross. We always have an option of turning back and covering the loop in the other direction.

DOGS are WELCOME on the trail but may have a difficult time traversing it due to large rocks, crevices and patches of remaining snow.

HIKE STATS: Difficulty: Hard. Distance: 7 miles. Elevation gain: 1,729 feet. Highest elevation: 12,018 feet (Medicine Bow Peak)

ALL TRAILS: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/wyoming/medicine-bow-peak-via-lakes-trail-loop

MEETING UP: We meet at West Lake Marie TH Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fMqhLVzimdbGrkng7

TIMED ENTRY PERMIT: There is suggested donation daily parking fee of $5. America the Beautiful Pass covers the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. I have America The Beautiful pass if we decide to carpool.

IMPORTANT: Please, review the group bio for what you should bring to the hike and other important information. MICROSPIKES AND HIKING POLES ARE RECOMMENDED on this hike. We wait 5 minutes for late arrive to be considerate to those arriving on time.