Medicine Bow Peak Back Road

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.