Shirley Mountain Road
Abandoned uranium mines meet technical rock crawling
The Shirley Mountains hide one of Wyoming’s forgotten uranium booms, where Pathfinder Mines once operated the Lucky Mc deposit. Forest Road 101 climbs from sage flats into dense timber, passing rusted machinery and reclaimed mine sites. The route peaks at Shirley Lake, surrounded by granite outcrops that demand careful tire placement. Technical sections include loose talus fields and exposed bedrock that’ll test both driver skill and vehicle protection.
This is expert territory requiring lockers, skid plates, and recovery gear. Summer thunderstorms turn exposed ridges dangerous, while winter access is impossible above 8,000 feet. Water is scarce—pack extra. The payoff is complete solitude in country that sees maybe a dozen vehicles per month. Best attempted July through September with a spotter for the worst sections. Camping is unlimited on Forest Service land, but pack out everything.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8942 ft |
| Best season | July-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Medicine Bow, Wyoming |
| Land manager | Medicine Bow National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Jeep Wrangler make it through Shirley Mountain Road?
No, this trail requires a modified 4WD with armor plating and rock sliders. The technical rock sections will damage a stock vehicle.
Is Shirley Mountain Road accessible in spring or fall?
Best access is July through September only. Snow blocks the high elevation sections outside this window, and the 8942-foot max elevation sees early/late season storms.
Do I need permits to run Shirley Mountain Road?
No permits required for the trail itself, but you're in Medicine Bow National Forest so standard forest service camping rules apply for dispersed camping.
What's the hardest section of the trail like?
Expect steep technical rock crawling through old mining areas with loose rock, off-camber sections, and potential for body damage. Spotters recommended for several obstacles.
How much fuel range do I need for this 28-mile trail?
Plan for at least 200-mile fuel range since Medicine Bow is the nearest town and you'll burn extra fuel on technical sections. No cell service for emergency calls either.