Medicine Bow Trail

If you're allergic to moose, then you may want to take your epi-pen on this ride.
There is some prime moose territory located on either side of this trail.
And while you may see plenty of four-legged critters beside the path, you probably won't see many of the two-legged variety. We were there on a Sunday in the middle of summer w/ beautiful weather and other than a couple horsemen, we didn't see any other trail users the entire trip.
Unfortunately, our trip was cut short by an unexpected detour at Foxpark. (See photo #10)
So what was intended to be a 42 mile ride (21 each way) ended up only being a little over 26.

A couple important notes: Although this trail has a nice gradual incline/decline, its surface changes greatly at about the halfway point. The first 11 miles is a pretty well maintained gravel path. As you can see in the first few pictures.
After that, it becomes fairly overgrown and poorly maintained for a couple miles. Then you get to a sign that says the trail is closed for a while due to a legal dispute over the trail right-of-way near Foxpark.

For the above reasons, I would seriously consider a mountain bike w/ very sturdy tires for this ride. Although we had no problems with flat tires, I think the likely head for goat-heads or other types of thorns rises exponentially the further from the Pelton Creek trailhead you get.

Another warning to heed about this trail is the lack of facilities of any kind. I liked the remote qualities of the trail, but it is definitely less maintained and developed than many other rail-trails. There are no drinking fountains or resting spots. There is a well-maintained restroom facility at the Pelton Creek trailhead, but such facilities are few and far between.

Reaching the trailhead can be difficult also. If you are accessing the trail from its south end (definitely recommended), you will take highway 230 from Laramie. You will pass the small community of Mountain Home. From there you will continue south until you get to the Wyoming/Colorado border. You will take U.S. Forest Service Rd. 898 (I never saw a sign saying that rd. #.) which is right at the border. Turn right on that road. It is a well maintained/improved gravel road. You will know you took the correct road when you reach the Pelton Creek trailhead just a couple miles down the road, on your right. Make sure you use the facilities here, because you won't see many others further down the trail.

On our trip, there were some aspen trees over the trail just a few hundred yards into the ride (see picture #3 in the carousel) but they will probably be removed soon.

Enjoy the solitude and say hi to the moose in the pond near mile 6.

Near Pelton Creek trailhead

Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 11:57:56 AM

Some aspen trees are down over the trail @ the Pelton Creek trailhead.
Focal Length: 24mm
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 12:06:58 PM

We're talking prime moose country.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 12:35:51 PM

This is the Vienna trailhead on the Medicine Bow trail. As you can see, it has absolutely no cars parked there. This is true trail solitude.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 12:43:28 PM

The Medicine Bow Trail has great interpretive signs about the native Americans, the trail, the railroad, and the Forest Service.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 12:44:41 PM

Once you find the trail, staying on it is easy. It has good signage describing your location in relation to other trailheads.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 12:44:48 PM

This is at about the halfway point where the trail starts to become a little overgrown. It is still not too difficult to bike, but it is quite a change from the well-maintained gravel path near the Pelton Creek trailhead.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 1:47:05 PM

This is where the trail takes a detour @ Foxpark. We did not go beyond this point. The sign shows how to make the detour to end up back on the trail.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 1:59:23 PM

Get along, little dogies. We stopped here for a snack and to commune w/ the cows.
Image Date: Jul 25, 2010 2:24:17 PM