Friday, June 28, 2024

Medicine Bow National Forest: Harris Park Trail

This morning we ate breakfast, packed up camp, and then drove the rough road between Esterbrook and Harris Park. At the scout camp, we turned into the camp and passed through on our way to the Harris Park Trailhead. Unfortunately, the road was too rough to make it all the way to the trail, so we ended up parking in a grassy area off to the side of the road and walking the road to the trailhead.


Even from the road, the views of the surrounding forest and peaks was pretty nice.


After about a quarter mile, we found the sign for the Harris Park Trail and started out on the path.


With the name Harris Park I expected to be walking through grassy meadows for our hike. While there was some of that,


much of the trail followed the bottom of a riparian area or areas of thick aspen growth. In these somewhat shady areas we found lots of lilies in bloom.


The trail climbed to the top of a ridge 


and then gently descended through an aspen stand to a flat bench with awesome views of the surrounding peaks.



Here we found an area that was somewhat sheltered from the wind and ate a snack. Then, we retraced our steps back towards the car.


We drove out of the forest on the El Rancho Road, passing through a bison ranch 


before arriving at Interstate 25 for the drive back home. 

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