Seniors on the Go
Seniors on the Go is group hike that meets weekly for excursions in various places in and around Albany County. Hikes vary in intensity, ranging from shorter hikes on relatively flat terrain to hikes with greater degrees of elevation changes on more challenging terrain. Please read the descriptions of planned hikes to determine which fit your needs and limits. Descriptions of the planned hikes for the current month are available below, as well as in our newsletter, which you can access by clicking here.
All participants in Seniors on the Go are required to complete and submit a waiver. The waiver is available as a PDF that you can print, complete, and submit. To download this PDF, please click here. Printed waivers are also available at the Eppson Center, Monday through Friday, from 8am - 4pm.
Please note that hikes are subject to change based on weather and other factors, so please check back for any updates of contact us at (307)745-5116.
August Hikes
August 7 - Medicine Bow Rail Trail / Lake Owen to Dry Creek (Updated)
Led by Lisa. The Rail Trail is an easy hike with wildlife viewing potential, good for a leisurely outing on a hot day. We will park at Lake Owen and hike north 2.1 miles to the northern terminus of the Medicine Bow Rail Trail at Dry Park and back, for a total of 4.2 miles. The trail is flat to gently graded and varied but smooth surface, with mostly fine gravel in the Lake Owen area. From Lake Owen, elevation 8955', the trail descends a couple hundred feet to Dry Park.
The Medicine Bow Rail Trail is a 23-mile recreational trail suitable for multiple use and varying mobilities. Construction began in 2005, along the abandoned Laramie, Hahns Peak and Pacific Railroad, which was built in the early 1900s to carry livestock, lumber, coal, passengers and mail, and was the highest elevation standard gauge railroad during its 90-year operation.
If you plan on meeting at the trailhead, please let us know by 6am Friday. Otherwise, be at the Eppson Center by 8:15am so that plans can be made to carpool and we can leave by 8:30am.
August 14 – Snowy Range: Lewis Lake to Lost Lake
Led by Phil. This trail traverses subalpine terrain passing through meadows and by high mountain streams and lakes, with many ups and downs. This is a moderate hike of about 4.5 miles; 10,575 to 10,950 elevation. For those who want a shorter hike (and if there is someone to lead them back), the Green Rock Quarry is a short distance off the trail and is a good place to turn around. At the junction of Hwy. 230/130 in West Laramie, take Hwy 130 for 40 miles, then turn right into the Sugarloaf Recreation Area. Continue to the end of the road to the Lewis Lake Picnic Site. Due to its small parking area, carpooling is highly recommended.
August 21 – Snowy Range: Medicine Bow Peak
Led by Hank. The trail from Lewis Lake guides the way through a scenic alpine environment where the summits of the Snowy Range reflect in numerous pothole lakes below. This is the shortest and most popular route to Medicine Bow Peak, but be prepared for rock-strewn slopes, high wind blasts, strenuous switchbacks and steps, and lingering snow drifts. The hike is about 3.2 miles round trip, elevation 10,800-12,013.
Note: Hikers will leave the Eppson Center at 7:30 a.m. Take Hwy 130 for 40 miles, then turn right into the Sugarloaf Recreation Area. Continue to the end of the road to the Lewis Lake Picnic Site. Due to its small parking area, carpooling is highly recommended. (Thanks to Marc Smith, Hiking Wyoming’s Medicine Bow National Forest, for the descriptive text above.) *Interpretive Ranger Walk – Ranching and Land Use Around the Park
Wednesday, August 26, 9:00 a.m. Pole Mountain
Parking lot (at Curt Gowdy State Park, just south of the Causeway)
Did you know that there is a long history of ranching in the area around and in Curt Gowdy State
Park? For this hike, we traverse parts of the Shoreline trail, pointing out landmarks and talking
about the ranches and families that lived here before the reservoirs were built.
NEW! August 28 – Snowy Range: Libby Flats Fen
Led by Phil. The hike starts on FR 336, a two-track road near Libby Flats. We cross open terrain, eventually heading off cross-country to small lakes and bogs. We can optionally extend the hike to approach the Libby Flats Fen. Our return will somewhat retrace our steps. The hike is about 5 miles, while continuing to the fen adds about another mile. Difficulty is moderate due to distance and cross-country walking.
Elevation 10,490 to 10,750.
Take Hwy 130 to Centennial and continue about one mile to the Visitor Center for
coordination. We will then proceed 9.8 miles further west, passing the Sugar Loaf Recreation
area on the right. In another 0.1 miles take the next left onto FR 336. As you leave the paved
road, hug the right shoulder to minimize the drop down to dirt. We will park here.