Medicine Bow National Forest: North Gap Lake Hike

After a good night's sleep, we awoke and drove back up to the high peaks of the Snowy Range for a hike up to the Gap Lakes. We arrived at the trailhead, parked and hit the trail. 

The views of the surrounding mountains and lakes were stunning, right off the bat. Especially prominent in this area is Sugarloaf Mountain. 

We gently ascended up to the ridge that separates North and South Gap Lakes where we relaxed for a bit.

Then, we started to retrace our steps back down to the trailhead. There were lots of great views along the way.

After our hike, we headed west out of the mountains. We stopped for a picnic lunch at a hot spot in the lower elevations and made our way into Saratoga for a soak in the river/hot springs and a beer at Snowy Mountain Brewing.

Medicine Bow National Forest: Tipple Trail and the Miner's Cabin Loop

Last night after work, Noelle, Sierra, Rosie and I headed out on the road to escape the heat by camping in the Snowy Range. After a stop for gas and another for sandwiches at Silver Mine Subs, we made it to our campsite at the North Fork Campground. We set up camp in the dark and settled in for the night. This morning we awoke, ate breakfast and headed out for a hike on the Tipple and Miner's Cabin Trails. We parked at the Tipple Trailhead, on the west side of the Snowy Range Pass, near Lake Marie. 

There were wonderful views right from the trailhead.

We hit the trail and hiked a short distance before finding another great view of the mountains that also overlooked the short Lake Marie Falls Loop that we had hiked 2 summers ago.

The trail followed the rim of a small canyon (French Creek Canyon) for a bit, 

before heading into the woods. Once in the woods, the trail passed a small cascade.

Shortly after the cascade, the trail came to a junction with the French Creek Canyon Trail.

We continued on the Tipple Trail which intermittently passed through wooded areas and meadows.

There were lots of wildflowers in bloom to admire as we hiked.

Eventually we climbed to a more open area where we found the short Miner's Cabin Loop Trail. We found the namesake cabin pretty quickly 

and admired it for a bit before we moved on. The trail led up to a parking area where there was a great view of the Snowy Range.

There was also a memorial to the victims of a plane crash that happened near Medicine Bow Peak.

After admiring the view for a bit, we continued on the loop, following it in a clockwise direction.

We approached the Red Mask Mine

and admired the ruins for a bit

before completing the loop near the cabin.

Then, we retraced our steps on the Tipple Trail back to the trailhead.

Once back at the trailhead, we were hungry for lunch, and so we headed to Libby Lake for a picnic.

Lunch with a view! We also stopped by the Libby Flats Observation Platform to admire the view 

before returning to our campsite for the evening. 

Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility

Mom and Dad T are in town as part of their national parks roadtrip. Today, we decided to head west near Chugwater, Wyoming to check out the Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility. There isn't a missile silo on the premises here. It was a control center for Peacekeeper missiles that we decommissioned in 2006. Later, it was restored by the US Air Force and turned over to Wyoming State Parks to interpret this aspect of the Cold War to visitors. 

It was a pretty painless drive from Gering, through LaGrange and then through Chugwater and south. We arrived at the parking area and walked to the humble-looking complex.

If it weren't for the barbed-wire fencing and signage, you might mistake the buildings for some type of ranch complex. 

Once inside, we toured the topside living areas.

Then, we headed down the elevator into the cool control area. The mechanical and control areas are both protected by heavy blast doors.

There was some interesting artwork on one of them. The last missileer on duty down here signed the door.

The control area itself was pretty interesting. 

I find it fascinating the safety measures put in place to ensure there is no way for a rogue missileer to launch missiles without proper authorization.

After our underground tour was over, we left the historic site and headed back to Chugwater for lunch and shakes at the old soda fountain.

Roosevelt National Forest: Montgomery Pass Trail

We woke up at our campsite at the Mountain Park Campground, ate breakfast, and then made the drive back up towards Cameron Pass. Today, we would attempt the hike up above the treeline to Montgomery Pass.

We parked the car just east of Cameron Pass, crossed Highway 14, and headed into the woods.

It was a fairly steep trail in places and so we stopped frequently to take breaks.

After each break we ascended higher and higher up the mountain.

Besides stopping for breaks, we also stopped to play in the remaining snow piles.

At the remains of an old cabin, 

we left the national forest and entered State Forest State Park. We crossed Montgomery Creek, 

and soon we left the trees behind 

and headed up above the treeline.

After a short time hiking above treeline, we found ourselves at our destination for the day: Montgomery Pass.

After a few minutes enjoying the view, we retraced our steps back to the highway and the car.