WLM
| Wyoming Woman
by Just Trails
www.justtrails.com
O
ne of the advantages of living above 7,000 feet
is that winter comes early and stays late. As our
friends in other parts of the United States are
enjoying scenic fall colors we’re dusting off our
cross-country ski equipment and keeping an eye on the
snowpack in the mountains.
Medicine Bow National Forest isn’t famous
for its cross-country skiing but it should
be. There are dozens of miles of trails just
a short drive from Laramie. Trails are
perfect for both novice and experienced
skiers.
If you’re looking to spend a nice easy
day on the ski trails we recommend the
following locations:
Chimney Park
The Chimney Park trail system is the
perfect place to learn how to cross-country
ski. Trails wind their way along old logging
roads with very little elevation change.
While the trails are relatively flat, there
are a few gentle rolling hills. The trails at
Chimney Park have the added advantage of
being tucked into a forest of lodgepole pines
and aspen trees making it a great location
to escape the Wyoming wind.
There are four trails at Chimney Park:
Woods Creek Loop (2.9 miles), Porter
Loop (4.0 miles), Lodgepole Loop (3.0
24
miles) and Jelm View Loop (3.1 miles) and
trails range in elevation from 8,800 feet to
9,000 feet.
To get to Chimney Park travel southwest
from Laramie on Highway 230 towards
Woods Landing. The trailhead is just over
six miles past Woods Landing on the south
side of the highway between mile markers
33 and 34.
Ski trails at Chimney Park are sometimes
groomed by the Forest Service; we
recommend calling the Laramie Ranger
District to find out if they’ve been groomed
before heading to Chimney Park. There
is a $5.00 day use fee payable at the
trailhead. You can download a free trail
guide for Chimney Park at justtrails.com.
Medicine Bow Rail Trail
The Medicine Bow Rail Trail is one of our
favorites for easy backcountry skiing. The
trail follows the old railroad bed of the
Hans Peak and Pacific Railroad through
the Medicine Bow National Forest for 22.4
Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Winter 2013
miles. There are several different trailheads,
most of which aren’t open or accessible
during the winter. We recommend starting
from the Woods Creek trailhead which is
just past the Chimney Park trailhead off of
Highway 230. This trailhead is not plowed
in the winter, but there are places to park
alongside the road.
The rail trail wanders through a pine forest
along easy and flat terrain. Because this
trail isn’t groomed, touring or backcountry
skis with medal edges are recommended.
This is a lesser known ski trail in the
area and it’s a great place for solitude
-- rarely do we see other skiers here. You
can download a free trail guide for the
Medicine Bow Rail Trail at justtrails.com.
Tie City
While the cross-country ski trails at Tie
City are more technical and challenging
than those at Chimney Park or along the
Rail Trail, they have the advantage of
being close to both Laramie and Cheyenne
and they are regularly groomed by the