Medicine Bow Peak Back Road
Drive to Wyoming's highest accessible point
The Medicine Bow Peak Back Road starts where the pavement ends at 10,200 feet and climbs another 1,200 feet through alpine tundra toward Wyoming’s third-highest summit. This old mining access road passes the Mirror Lake trailhead before deteriorating into a rocky two-track that parallels the CDT across genuine above-timberline country. At Medicine Bow Lake, the road forks—left goes to the old Lewis Mine ruins, right continues toward the peak’s eastern flank where four-wheel drive finally surrenders to foot traffic.
Stock high-clearance vehicles can handle the first eight miles to Mirror Lake, but the final push requires real 4WD with good approach angles for the embedded granite steps. Weather changes fast at this elevation—afternoon thunderstorms are deadly serious above treeline. June through early October only, with snow possible any month. No permits needed but respect the fragile alpine environment. Camping is allowed but exposed—wind and weather rule this country. The payoff is accessing Wyoming’s highest drivable point and views across three states from the roof of the Medicine Bow range.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11400 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Centennial, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | fs.usda.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need a lift?
Stock high-clearance 4WD rigs like a Tacoma or 4Runner can handle it, but you need 4WD — not just AWD. The rocky surface will punish anything with low clearance, and a skid plate is worth having.
When does the trail actually open after winter, and is June reliable?
Early June is hit or miss — snow lingers above 10,000 feet well into the month. Late June through September is the reliable window. Check with Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest before you go if you're planning an early-season run.
Do you need a permit or is there a fee to drive this trail?
No permit required and no fee to drive the trail. It's on Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest land, so standard public land rules apply — pack it in, pack it out.
What's the hardest section and what makes it legitimately difficult?
The exposed rocky sections above timberline are the crux — loose and embedded rock combined with off-camber terrain near 11,400 feet. The elevation itself adds a factor; mechanical problems up there mean a long recovery with no cell service and limited traffic.
Is there water available along the trail, or do I need to carry everything from Centennial?
There's no reliable treated water on the trail. Carry what you need out of Centennial. If you're camping dispersed, a filter and enough stored water for the stay is the move — don't count on finding sources above timberline.
Trail track
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