Last Updated on 19 January, 2026 by Robyn Dockendorf

The Medicine Bow Mountains are a truly magnificent spectacle, surrounded by gray, rocky peaks dotted with snowfields and interspersed with evergreens of the deepest greens. This magical place stole our hearts, and we can’t wait to go back!

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak involves a gorgeous 5-mile hike in the Snowy Range Mountains of southern Wyoming. It is located in southeast Wyoming in the Medicine Bow National Forest. This out-and-back route is moderately challenging, but the views at the top are so worth it!

Below, I’ll take you on a tour of Medicine Bow Peak, giving you step-by-step directions on how to conquer the tallest peak in the Snowy Range of Wyoming. I’ll also offer some insight into our experiences hiking this beauty with our 3-legged furbag, Pawdrick, in case you want to take your dog along too!

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History of Medicine Bow Peak

The surrounding canyons and lowlands of Medicine Bow Peak were used as travel routes by early Native American tribes, such as the Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Lakota, Ute, and Eastern Shoshone. Not much else is known about the area’s history before that.

Probably the most notable historical event at Medicine Bow Peak was the 1955 American Airlines crash. It’s not entirely clear how the plane crashed into the side of the mountain, but a few theories exist. Turbulent downdrafts, cloud cover, or a faulty altimeter could be to blame.

Nonetheless, fragments of the aircraft are still occasionally found at the base of the mountain.

Why Is There Snow in the Summer?

Some mountains, like Colorado’s 14ers, have snow on them year-round because of the high elevation and cold temperatures that persist in the mountains.

However, when we hiked Medicine Bow Peak, it was the end of July—the height of summer. Yet, there was still snow on the mountain, and it was quite warm—certainly not cold enough for snow to stay on the ground!

So, why does the Snowy Range (the northern sub-range of the Medicine Bow Mountains) still have snow?

Medicine Bow Peak was glaciated until recently (recently in geological terms, so about 10,000 years ago!). The snowfields are remnants of the glaciers that passed through. Many of the lakes at the base of the mountain are glacial lakes left behind by those icy behemoths.

What To Expect While Hiking Medicine Bow Peak

Standing at 12,018 feet, Medicine Bow Peak cuts an intimidating image when standing at the base and looking up at the towering summit.

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak will take you on a 5-mile out-and-back adventure through dirt trails, loose rock, snow fields, and breathtaking scenery for miles. This hike is considered challenging due to the length of the trail, elevation gain, loose stones, snowfields, and altitude.

If you’ve never hiked in the mountains before, there are a few things to consider before strapping on your hiking boots.

Altitude Effects: Breathing Easy at High Elevations

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak means tackling some serious altitude. At over 12,000 feet, the air gets thinner, and it can feel like you’re working twice as hard for every step.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Take it slow: Your body needs time to adjust, so pace yourself. If you’re not used to hiking at elevation, spend at least a day at base-level altitude (about 10,000 feet for Medicine Bow) before hiking to the summit. Spending 2-3 days would be even better.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to fend off altitude sickness. The University of Utah recommends drinking 32 ounces of water per hour of hiking. We like using the Nalgene Wide Mouth water bottle. It holds 32 ounces, is super affordable, and is lightweight at just 3.5 ounces.
• Watch for symptoms: Headaches, dizziness, and nausea can indicate that you’re not adjusting well. If you start feeling these symptoms, stop ascending and give your body more time to adjust before attempting to summit again.

Remember, it’s not a race to the top. Listen to your body and take breaks as needed. You’ll get there, and the view will be worth it!

Weather Conditions: Summer Thunderstorms and Sudden Changes

Wyoming’s weather can be unpredictable, especially in the summer. Afternoon thunderstorms with hail are pretty standard, so it’s essential to be prepared:

• Start early: Aim to hit the trail at dawn to avoid afternoon storms. We started our hike around 6:15 a.m. and were off the mountain by about 9:15 a.m.
• Pack rain gear: A lightweight rain jacket can be a lifesaver. We like the REI Co-Op Rainier Rain Jacket, which comes in Women’s and Men’s. It’s lightweight at just 9.9 ounces and packs down into its own left pocket for easy packing in a hiking bag.
• Check the forecast: Monitor the weather and be ready to turn back if conditions look bleak. You are the tallest thing on the mountain when you’re above the tree line, so lightning will seek you out. Don’t take the chance – you can always hike it another day!

Mother Nature can be a bit moody up there. It’s best to respect her wishes and stay safe.

Terrain: Navigating the Rocky Path

The terrain on Medicine Bow Peak is a mix of dirt trails and rocky sections. Here’s how to handle it:

• Wear sturdy shoes: Good hiking boots with ankle support are a must. You can read all about what type of shoes we wear in our ultimate day hiking gear list!
• Watch your step: Loose rocks can be tricky, so stay alert.
• Use trekking poles: They can help with balance and take pressure off your knees. We use the Black Diamond Trekking Poles – they’re affordable and hold up over time.

The rocky terrain gets a bit treacherous at the summit. There are large rocks with lots of holes and gaps between them to twist ankles. Take your time and watch your step, and you’ll be at the summit in no time!

Snowfields: Trekking Through the White Stuff

Even at the height of summer, you’ll encounter snowfields on Medicine Bow Peak. They add a cool twist to your hike but require some extra caution:

• Test the snow: Use your trekking pole to check the stability before stepping. You never know what’s supporting the snow underneath.
• Stay on the trail: Follow the path where others have gone to avoid hidden dangers. The path through the snowfields was very obvious when we came through in July.
• Consider microspikes: They can make a big difference for added traction. The Pro Traction System can slip over your hiking shoes for easy on/off when you switch from rock to snow and back to rock.

Snowfields can be fun to cross and make for great photo ops. Our dog, Pawdrick, loved rolling around in the snow to cool off on the warm summer morning.

Wildlife

Seeing wildlife on a hike can be an adventure in and of itself. We love seeing all the little (and big!) critters unique to mountainous terrain.

While hiking Medicine Bow Peak, we spotted a pine marten, pika, mule deer, and a marmot. If you get lucky, you may also spot moose and bighorn sheep. As always, be respectful of wildlife and keep your distance. Never feed wildlife. I know they are friend-shaped, but don’t pet the wildlife!

If you’re wondering what to do if you encounter wildlife on the trail, we have a fantastic guide on what to do if you see a wild animal on a hike.

Parking and Access to Medicine Bow Peak Trail

Medicine Bow Peak and its surrounding campgrounds and picnic areas can get busy, especially during peak summer hiking season. I recommend getting to the parking lot early to secure a spot.

As I said, we arrived around 6:15 a.m., and 2-3 other cars were already in the lot. By the time we finished the hike at 9:15, the lot was packed, and there were people everywhere.

Where to Park

We parked at the Lewis Lake Picnic Site off US Forest Service Road 346. The Forest Service Road can be accessed from scenic Highway 130. This is considered the Lewis Lake Trailhead and is just one of a few ways to access Medicine Bow Peak.

• GPS Coordinates: N41.3580, W106.2945
• Google Maps: Type in “Lewis Lake Picnic Site” or “Gap Lakes Trailhead.”

The parking lot is moderately sized and could fit around 40 cars if everyone parked decently. If the lot is full, there’s additional parking alongside the road. We always try to get to the parking lot early (before 8 a.m.) to secure a spot.

As the name suggests, the beautiful lake in front of the parking area is called Lewis Lake. The lake is calm and often reflects the mountain range in the background like a perfect mirror.

On a side note, the Medicine Bow Peak Loop via the West Lake Marie Trailhead is another way to access Medicine Bow Peak. This is a much longer hike (a seven-mile loop) that we won’t cover in this article. But keep a lookout on our blog, as we may write about it in one of our later adventures!

Finding the Trailhead

The trailhead is pretty easy to spot from the parking lot, but one other trailhead (Gap Lakes) leads in the opposite direction, so make sure you jump on the correct path!

• GPS coordinates: N41.3583, W106.2948

The trailhead is located toward the southwestern end of the parking lot. If you look at Lewis Lake from the parking lot, the trail sits between the lake and the bathrooms.

12-Step Guide to Hiking Medicine Bow Peak

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak is fairly straightforward for the first mile. However, once you hit the switchbacks, it’s easy to lose the trail. Luckily, there are a few different paths to get to the main trail leading to the summit, so even if you take a wrong turn, you’ll still hit the right trail eventually!

These extra paths were made when recovery crews searched for fragments of the plane crash of 1955.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to hiking Medicine Bow Peak, starting at the trailhead:

1. From the trailhead, you’ll hike alongside Lewis Lake for about a quarter mile before breaking away and heading slightly uphill.

2. You’ll pass by Sugarloaf Mountain on your left as you travel uphill. Sugarloaf Mountain is a prominent hill you can spot from the parking lot.

3. At the 0.6-mile mark, a flat area along the right side of the trail offers some impressive views and a few rocks to rest if you need them.

4. Around the 1-mile mark, you’ll come to the first intersection. There is a weathered wooden sign off to the left. This trail would take you to Mirror Lake and the Lake Marie Trailhead Parking Area, but we want to keep heading straight here. There are wooden poles indicating the correct way

5. You’ll start approaching a large snowfield around the 1.3-mile mark. If you brought your canine companion along, this is a great spot to let them cool off. Just be sure to keep them on a leash because it’s pretty steep here!

6. From the snow field, you’ll start turning west toward the mountain peak. But don’t get too excited—there’s still quite a way to go and plenty of elevation gain left.

7. You won’t run into any other trail intersections as you continue hiking. However, you’ll spot a few wooden posts and cairns along the way that will guide you to the correct path. Again, if you hit a side trail by accident, they all lead to the main trail at the top.

8. As you approach the summit, you’ll run into a large snowfield. You’ll have to scramble up a tunnel-like snow slide that’s a hell of a lot of fun on the way down! (Those Yaktrax come in handy here!)

9. After the snow slide, you’ll want to turn left toward the peak.

10. Once you leave the snowfield, the terrain gets pretty rough. There are large rocks you’ll have to navigate. If you have a dog, you may want to stop at this point or carry them.

11. You’ll know you’ve reached the summit when you see the United States Geological Survey (USGS) marker near the wooden post on the rocky summit. Nice work!!

12. Enjoy the views and take a moment to breathe in the beautiful landscape around you. When you’re ready, head back the same way you came to return to the parking lot.

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak with Pets

Medicine Bow Peak is dog-friendly, so you can definitely bring your furbag along. But there are a few things to consider before hiking Medicine Bow Peak with your canine companion.

• Altitude: Dogs seem less affected by altitude than humans, but it’s always good to err on the side of caution. Keep an eye on your pup throughout the hike. If they start to pant excessively, vomit, or stagger their gait, it’s time to turn around.
• Water: Bring extra water for your pup. I love using the Highwave AutoDogMug Portable Dog Water Bottle & Bowl to keep Pawdrick hydrated. Whatever he doesn’t drink goes right back in the bottle, so there’s no wasted water like with portable bowls.
• Boots: Before embarking on this adventure, consider training your dog to wear dog booties. The terrain is rough and, in some areas, snowy. Ruffwear makes a versatile pair of dog boots, Grip Trex Dog Boots, that are great for rocky terrain.
• Snacks: Just like you need snacks to fuel your adventure, so do dogs. Bring along some healthy snacks like American Journey Beef Recipe Grain-Free Soft & Chewy Snacking Sticks to keep your pup’s energy level up throughout the hike. These are also great training treats to use during your hike!
• Emergency Gear: We never do any hike without our Firdo Pro Airlift Emergency Rescue Sling or Adventure Medical Kits Adventure Dog Series Trail Dog First Aid Kit. They’re lightweight and pack down easily. If you’d prefer to create your own kit for your dog, we have an article on building a dog first aid kit that includes all the essentials you need.

Our article on the 9 dog hiking gear essentials can help ensure you’re prepared for anything on a day hike with your furry friend!

When you bring your dog to beautiful natural areas like this, keeping them on a leash to avoid interactions with wildlife is essential. Always pick up your dog’s poop, as it can spread disease to other canines like foxes, coyotes, and wolves. It can also cause harmful algal blooms in the pristine glacial lakes.

Let’s keep things wild and beautiful out there!🐺

Wrapping Up Your Medicine Bow Peak Adventure

Hiking Medicine Bow Peak will make you feel like an alpinist, to be sure. It’s filled with switchbacks, snow, elevation gains, and beautiful mountain views for days. Reaching the peak will feel like a noteworthy accomplishment!

When hiking Medicine Bow Peak, remember to pack all your day hiking gear essentials, take your time, enjoy the scenery, and immerse yourself in one of Wyoming’s most pristine National Forests.

Have you hiked Medicine Bow Peak? Have some tips we left off the list? Let us know in the comments below!

Until next time, happy hiking! Don’t forget to give your furbags an extra pat from us dirtbags! 🐶 For more hiking tips, check out our hiking blog!