Medicine Bow National Forest: Medicine Bow Peak from Dipper Lake

 I finally got out for the first adventure since my trip to New Jersey. Last night I drove to the Vedauwoo area and camped in a dispersed campsite off of the Vedauwoo Glen Road.

This morning, I packed up camp and headed through Laramie and into the Snowy Range. After passing Lake Marie and the most dramatic scenery, I turned off onto a rough dirt road, forded a surprisingly deep stream and parked alongside a small lake. 

My ascent of Medicine Bow Peak would begin with a road walk.

Luckily, there were few vehicles and lots of wildflowers to look at alongside the road.

Soon enough I made it to Dipper Lake,

and the trail portion of my ascent.

The trail curved along the banks of the lake, then started to climb steeply to the ridge of the Snowy Range. I took a rest break on the ridge,

and started to make my way through talus (and pikas) towards the summit.

After a short while, I found myself on the summit and had it to myself for a while.

Then, it was time to head down the route I had come. Lots of great views off to the west and Elk Mountain.

I even found a little snow to walk through 

before descending back down to the road which was now crawling with four wheelers making the air thick with dust. Once back to the car, I tore the skid plate off the bottom crossing the creek. Otherwise, the car was in fine shape. It was a long drive back home to Gering.