Whether exploring the backcountry on foot, horseback, ATV, motorcycle or mountain bike, be prepared by reviewing the BACKCOUNTRY CHECKLIST. Having the right gear and knowing when and how to use it is important. Area Sporting Goods stores can assist you (see Area Service Directory). And don’t forget your camera! Scenic panoramas, abundant wildlife and wildflowers add to your journey in the mountains of southern Wyoming.

Within the Sierra Madre Range are two more Wilderness areas--the Huston Park Wilderness (30,588 acres) and the Encampment River Wilderness (10,024 acres).  These wilderness areas have a total recommended expansion of 10,433 acres to increase your solitude.  The Encampment River Wilderness offers a picturesque trail which follows the Encampment River and is shadowed by steep canyon walls.

Hiking and Backpacking
There are 35 marked trails in the Snowy Range ranging from 7,400 ft. to 11,200 ft. in elevation. The Sierra Madre Range has nine marked trails which range in elevation from 7,800 ft. to 10,000 ft. The trails are often shared between hikers, mountain bikes, equestrians and ATVs and offer a variety of difficulty levels. (See Snowy Range & Sierra Madre Recreation Map and Hiking Trails Chart for more details).

Some of the most spectacular, yet strenuous, trails in the Snowy Range lead to the 12,013 ft. summit of Medicine Bow Peak. These trails begin at the Sugarloaf Recreation Area along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Highway 130. Magnificent views of this glacier-carved landscape and alpine lakes make this a popular place for hikers and photographers alike.

The Savage Run Wilderness (14,927 acres), the Platte River Wilderness (22,749 acres) and a newly recommend-ed wilderness area surrounding the Rock Creek Trail (17,540 acres) offer splendid hikes for those seeking relatively undisturbed areas of the forest. Unique to the Platte River Wilderness is the North Gate Canyon, a popular white-water rafting section of the North Platte River. The River has a gradient of 30 feet per mile for the 10.8 miles between the Route Access and Six Mile Gap access points.

The Sierra Madre Range presents many challenging hikes, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This 45.9 mile trail climbs above 10,000 feet with some of the best vistas of Carbon County. It is part of the 2,500-mile Great Divide Mountain Bike Route that follows the Continental Divide from the Canadian border to Mexico. With six access points in this region, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) enters the forest at the Colorado border, straddles the Huston Park Wilderness and continues north-west past Divide Peak. The CDT can be accessed from the north near the Jack Creek Campground area or from the south near the historic town of Battle via Highway 70. Additional hiking trails tie into the CDT and provide for more variety in the length and difficulty level of each adventure. Many historical buildings, remnants of the mining era, offer extra excitement. See Snowy Range & Sierra Madre Recreation Map.

Mountain Biking
Fat tire riders will find miles of unsurpassed scenery and wildlife on the many diverse trails marked for mountain bikes. Explore trails and roads that cross 933,929 acres of Medicine Bow National Forest--plus additional paved and unpaved roads through surrounding BLM and State lands. These trails offer a wide range of difficulties from beginner to tech-nical riders with superb challenges such as steep climbs and descents, jumps and water crossings.

The Little Laramie, Corner Mountain and Chimney Park trails of the Snowy Range provide challenging, yet shorter rides at lower elevations. As they are also used as cross-country ski trails in the winter (see SKIING), they tend to be free from boulders and logs and are great for less experienced riders.

For a “Wyoming Bicycle Guidance Map”, contact WYDOT Planning, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009 or call (307) 777-4719.

ORV (Off Road Vehicle) Use
Motorcycles and ATVs are popular alternatives to a strenuous hike or mountain bike ride for exploring this beautiful country. There is a large network of paved and unpaved established roads throughout the Forest and surrounding State and BLM lands. Please note that on established Wyoming roadways, all motorcycles and ATVs are required to be street legal and display a motorcycle license plate.

The Medicine Bow National Forest has designated “trails” that are signed as part of the State ORV Program. When operating a motorcycle or ATV on these “trails”, an ORV permit is required. The Wyoming State Trails Program has developed ORV maps that can be obtained locally or by calling 307-777-6560. ORV permits are available at 1-877-996-7275 and locally. As this program is frequently updated and subject to change, please contact the Forest Service at (307) 745-2300 or (307) 326-5258 for more infor-mation. See Snowy Range & Sierra Madre Recreation Map for these trails.

Horseback Riding
There are numerous trails for those who own their own horses or those on guided horseback trips. As these trails are often shared with hikers and mountain bikes, trail courtesy should be practiced to ensure everyone’s safety.

• Travel single file to avoid widening the trail & damaging vegetation.
• Ford streams at designated crossings.
• Do not cut switchbacks.
• Do not tie livestock to trees.
• Only certified weed-free feed is allowed on the Forest.
• Portable corrals or highline are recommended for containing horses.
• Group size is limited to a combined group of 25 animals/people (with the maximum number of people not) to exceed 15 in wilderness areas.
• Hobble, tie or picket livestock at least 100 feet from lakes & streams.