The Snowy Range

Sugarloaf Mountain & Medicine Bow Peak

On our very first winter trip west way back in 2009 we discovered a sign proclaiming this exit for "The Snowy Range Scenic Byway" while driving on I-80. It was disappointing that we could not take the side trip at the time. It was March and the road was closed for the winter. We have been several times since then and it is an amazing spot. One of our favorites that we share with anyone we happen to meet on our travels. Maybe we should stop mentioning it since it has become a bit more crowded...at least by our standards. It is a place that no matter where you look you cannot take a bad picture... a spectacular place.

As luck would have it last month we discovered a site was open at Sugarloaf Campground. This campground is at 10810 feet and located at the base of Medicine Bow Peak. We quickly booked the reservation and made plans to head out with Bridger for a few days in the Medicine Bow. As it got closer to our reservation the weather was looking at bit iffy in the afternoons, but we figured we could get a hike in before the storms rolled in for the evening. Yet another 'problem' we have with the reservation system.

The long long pull through

The drive is a bit over 9-hours so we decided to break it up and head to Boysen State Park in the Wind River Canyon area for the night. It is only a 5-hour drive from the house... a pretty short driving day for us. Neither of us thought to check the weather in that area...wow, was it hot at 99 degrees. Humidity was only 17% and the wind was blowing pretty good in the canyon along the river, but it still too hot to cook or have a fire. 

At the last minute when packing the trailer we decided to bring the Dewalt fan. It was used in addition to the trailer's 2 fantastic fans. Thankfully it kept us cool enough to get some sleep.

The Canyon's Big Horn River

The campground is along the Big Horn River & has lots of cottonwood trees to provide shade...thankfully. Our site was pretty interesting...a pull-thru that went on & on. 

We didn't even need to unhitch for the night since we had so much room. The next morning off we headed & reached our campsite ahead of the afternoon storms.

View from Sugarloaf campsite 

Our site had a beautiful view of Brown Mountain, Sugarloaf & Medicine Bow. Bridger finally learned after all this time that the squeaks he hears are actually chipmunks, ground squirrels or marmots. 

He enjoyed watching them from his perch in front of the trailer. The chipmunks really tested his patience by running right in front of his nose. 

Unfortunately, he followed his nose rather than his eyes so he missed where they hid.

Bridger looking for chipmunks

 

Moose in the willows

Bridger & I got up at sunrise to try to capture the mountains as the sun hit the peak. We got a bit sidetracked...by a pair of bull moose eating in the willows. After a few shots thought I should wake up sleeping beauty...aka Bill. We rushed back to the trailer...said 'MOOSE' and he quickly hit the floor. 

Irritated moose

I grabbed the big lens camera & rushed back to my hilltop. One of the campers was on the road not too far from the moose. He was certainly not too close, but the larger of the two moose took great offense and came running out of the willows directly at the guy. He quickly turned and took off down the road.

Still agitated

At that point the moose were directly below my hilltop & still looking a bit agitated. After a few shots in less than bright enough light I saw Bill with Bridger heading directly towards where the moose seemed to be going. I decided I really should warn them about the angry moose. Thankfully the guy that had been chased had already met up with them.

Bridger & I headed to the trailer to get his breakfast & take him away from possibly inciting an incident with the moose. We were pretty lucky that the pair of moose headed right up into the campground and passed across from our site. 

Sunrise hits the Snowy Range

The two ended up grazing in the campground area for an hour before wandering off into the trees. Never found them again. After the morning excitement we headed back to the Tin Can for some breakfast.

Pair of bull moose at Sugarloaf Campground 

Bull moose in campground

After eating we started out for our hike towards the Gap Lakes with Bridger. The morning was crisp and clear which after our 100-degree night in Wind River was a welcomed relief. It wasn't too long before we hit the first alpine lake & Bridger took full advantage of the water. 

Bridger's 1st retrieve

He has decided he enjoys retrieving, but doesn't have the stamina that Maggie displayed back in her day. Each & every lake was fair game the entire week we were there...even trying to jump from really big, steep rocks. 

Lucky dog found a snow field too where he got the zoomies and Bill hit the deck trying to catch him. Thankfully, he only bruised his ego and his ribs. 

Bridger retrieving!

Another storm blew through at dinnertime...no cooking out once again. Pizza to the rescue! We woke to overcast skies & decided to hike up Sugarloaf Mountain to the Saddle rather than hike to the peak. Between the iffy looking weather and a toe issue we decided that the shorter hike would be just fine. Bridger got to swim a in Lewis Lake and look for picas in the rocks. I spent time looking for wildflowers & trying to get close to the picas for a good picture. 

Later the storms settled in and man did the thunder sound close. Our plan the next morning was to head back to Wind River for a night before heading back home. After getting on the road we changed our minds, cancelled the campsite and drove the entire way back home. It really wasn't as tiring as we had thought pulling the trailer over a 9-hour day. 

Good to know for the next time we head to the Snowy Mountains.

Bridger looking for his stick

Gap Lake Trail

Marmot

Break time at the Saddle

Bridger with Bill

Curious golden mantle squirrel

Elephant head

Pica