Here we are at Medicine Bow Peak (elev. 12,014′) with Lake Marie in the background. It’s the highest point in the Snowy Range, and the highest point in southern Wyoming.

One of the trails to Medicine Bow Peak begins at Lewis Lake (elev. 10,689′), off of Highway 130, about 15 minutes west of Centential, WY, and 45 minutes west of Laramie, WY.

The first leg of the trail meanders along lakes and through gorgeous alpine meadows.

The dark clouds rolled in.

After the saddle between Medicine Bow and Sugarloaf Mountain, the trail really starts to climb.

We were ready for the rain and hail on this late July afternoon.

Kaia counted 27 lakes.

Chillin’ like it’s an ordinary Saturday. The beautiful granite ridge extends for miles.

In the last tenth of a mile, the trail crosses a snowfield, and then there’s a boulder scramble to the summit.

These two are inspiring! This was our toughest hike together to date: 1.9 miles to the summit, and 1325′ evevation gain, much of it over boulders and loose rock. At 12,000′, oxygen concentration is just 63% of what it is back home in PA.

I am starting to think tiny Rosie may be part mountain goat.

Here are some more pics of the stunning scenery.

Well-earned rest, at our campsite above Silver Lake, a few miiles down the road from Lewis Lake trailhead.

July 2017

More adventures:

Stromatolite Fossils on Libby Flats, Snowy Range, WY
Backpacking Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada
Burgess Shale/Walcott Quarry Fossil Site Hike