Medicine Bow Peak Trail #295

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Features Lake · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The trail starts at the West Lake Marie parking area and immediately climbs steep, rocky switchbacks up to the ridge of the Snowy Range. The trail flattens at 1.25 miles from the trailhead, passing intermittent meadows and rock scree. Keep an eye out for rock piles with wooden poles sticking out; these mark the trail and are useful for finding the trail when it may still be snow covered in the early summer.

Take a right at the trail junction for Dipper Lake, and make the final climb up to Medicine Bow Peak. From the peak, take in the panoramic views of Snowy Range Peaks and the numerous lakes in the basin below.

From the peak, descend steep switchbacks to the trail intersection the Lakes Trail #296. Turn left and follow the trail down to Lewis Lake and to the Lewis Lake parking lot, where this trail comes to an end.

The wildflowers are amazing in late June and July, especially along the Lakes Trail.