Medicine Bow Peak via Lewis Lake Trailhead

Medicine Bow Peak (12,014 ft) is the crown of Wyoming's Snowy Range — the highest summit in the range and a classic high-alpine objective accessible from multiple trailheads. The Lewis Lake Trailhead offers one of the quieter approaches to the summit, starting from the north side of the range and passing through some of the most remote and less-trafficked terrain in Medicine Bow National Forest.

If the Lake Marie and Mirror Lake lots are packed on a summer weekend, Lewis Lake is where locals go.

The Route

From the Lewis Lake Trailhead, the trail climbs through subalpine forest and open tundra before reaching the lake basin and continuing toward the summit ridge. The north-side approach has a different character than the south-facing routes — more gradual in places, with longer stretches above treeline and expansive views across the high plateau.

• Trailhead elevation: ~10,300 ft
• Summit: 12,014 ft
• Elevation gain: ~1,700 ft
• Difficulty: Intermediate
• Route type: Out-and-back or connect to loop via summit ridge

The upper mountain is the same regardless of which trailhead you start from — boulder fields, cairn-marked trail, and a short scramble to the top. At the summit, expect 360-degree views of the Snowy and Sierra Madre ranges stretching toward Colorado.

Lewis Lake

The namesake lake is a highlight of this approach — a classic high-alpine tarn set against the open Wyoming sky. It's a natural rest stop on the way up and a rewarding destination in its own right if you're not pushing for the summit. Calm mornings bring glassy reflections of the surrounding peaks.

Fishing is solid here — rainbow and brook trout — and the lack of crowds compared to the south-side lakes makes it a better spot to actually have the water to yourself.

Why Choose Lewis Lake Trailhead

• Less crowded than Lake Marie and Mirror Lake on summer weekends
• North-side perspective — different views on the approach than the more popular south-side routes
• Good loop potential — combine with the summit ridge traverse to descend via a different trailhead for a point-to-point or shuttle route
• Slightly longer approach — rewards hikers willing to put in a bit more distance for solitude

Trailhead Coordinates & Context

• Lewis Lake Trailhead: 41.3586405, -106.2944908
• All four Medicine Bow trailheads connect via the summit trail — this is the northernmost access point
• Stop at the Visitor Center in Centennial for a free trail map showing all route connections

Practical Info

• Dogs: Welcome on leash
• Season: July–September; snow can linger on the north-facing slopes later than south-side routes — check conditions before going in early summer
• Parking: Smaller lot than Lake Marie — arrive early on weekends
• Nearest town: Centennial, WY and Laramie, WY (~1 hr east via SR-130)
• From Colorado: ~1 hour north of Fort Collins — a solid day trip from northern Colorado