Sheep Lake Trail #389

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildlife

Prepare for wet feet, and not just at stream crossings, even in July.

There isn't much strenuous running on this trail in either direction, but the trail is easier - predominantly downhill - if you take this one from south to north. This direction also provides great views as you descend to lower elevations, including a view of Medicine Bow Peak to the southwest of Sheep Lake.

Snow sticks around late in the year in Snowy Range. On July 4th weekend in 2016, the trail was intermittently under snow south of Sheep Lake. For stretches throughout, it was running with water from snowmelt and afternoon storms. This made it hard to find the trail from time to time, but for the most part, it's easy enough to spot the track itself or else the way was marked with cairns.

Because of the water, extra socks and a change of shoes are a good idea for the evening if you're camping along the way.

Watch for afternoon thunderstorms blowing in from the west, and avoid being on the ridge south of Sheep Lake, where there's not much shelter.

Despite all the water, this trail was beautiful, low-traffic, and worth the wet feet.

Lots of elk. Didn't see any other wildlife, although moose and deer are probably around.

Near Sheep Lake, frogs were croaking in the evenings.