The Trail
Build it and they will come….
That was the dream of many involved with making the Medicine Bow Rail-Trail a reality. This trail is a non-motorized pathway that has been converted from a portion of the abandoned Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railroad. Construction of the trail began in the summer of 2005 and it was completed in August 2007.
Mile markers along the Rail Trail have a mileage based on the original railway when it was functioning as transport from Laramie to Walden. Mileages indicate the distance from the rail yard in Laramie – the distances of that original rail way.
The Rail-Trail has a hard-packed gravel surface (like that found in a baseball outfield) averaging 10 feet wide. It is suitable for mountain bikes, cycle-cross or any bike with fairly wide tires (road bikes are not recommended). Grades and curves are gentle and suitable for users of varying abilities. The trail is 21 miles from the Pelton Creek Trailhead in the south to the Dry Park Trailhead in the north, not counting the added 1 mile detour at Fox Park.
The Pelton Creek, Vienna, Woods Creek, Lincoln Gulch and Lake Owen Trailheads are open for use. All except the Vienna trailhead have accessible vault toilets and picnic tables. Water is not available at the trailheads at this time. The Dry Park trailhead is only a gravel wide spot in the road but allows for parking.
Click here for a pdf copy of the map above.