At one time, Medicine Bow National Forest, Routt National Forest, and Thunder Basin National Grassland were all three separate areas. However, in 1995 they were administratively combined since they’re close to each other and offer similar resources. If you want to explore this beautiful section of protected land that covers parts of Wyoming and Colorado, load up the car and take a road trip to the forest.
Go for a Hike
With almost 2.9 million acres of protected land between Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland, you’ll find plenty of great opportunities to go for a hike. For amazing views of the area, hike to the summit of Medicine Bow Peak, which is the highest peak in the Snowy Range. You’ll find several different trails that take you there. The 1.6-mile Lewis Lake Trailhead is the shortest route and offers a lovely view along the way. Another option is the 3.6-mile Lake Marie Trailhead. While it’s longer, it also has a more gradual climb.
Take a Scenic Drive
If you’d rather take a scenic drive through the area, you’ll find a variety of routes with beautiful views. One of the more popular options is the Snowy Range Scenic Byway. Twenty-nine miles of the route winds its way through the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests. Driving time from one forest boundary to the other is about an hour without any stops. However, with numerous points of interest and scenic overlooks along the way, it’s worth spending several hours exploring the byway.
Enjoy Some Camping
The national forests and national grassland offer a variety of camping opportunities that include primitive camping, developed campgrounds, and cabin rentals. If you’re interested in RV camping, Teal Lake Campground has 17 campsites that come with picnic tables and drinking water. For a lovely getaway in the Sierra Madre Range, book a few nights at Sandstone Cabin. Although rustic, the cabin does include a propane stove, refrigerator, and running water. Additionally, the cabin has lights powered by propane, solar, or generator.
Take the Bicycle Out
Whether you like road cycling or mountain biking, you’ll find a variety of ways to explore Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland on a bicycle. Cycling the remote, winding roads through these protected areas is an excellent way to see the beautiful scenery. If you’re looking for more of a challenge, you’ll find miles of mountain bike trails that vary from easy to difficult.
Cool Off With Water Activities
From calm lakes to wild rivers, you’ll find a variety of water activities to enjoy in all the protected areas. The North Platte River flows through both Routt and Medicine Bow National Forest, and it’s known for its excellent opportunities for rafting, kayaking, and blue-ribbon trout fishing. Additionally, Freeman Reservoir, Big Creek Lake, Hahns Peak Lake, and Dumont Lake are also popular spots for paddling or floating.
The best way to discover even more of the beauty at Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland is to plan a road trip so you can explore the area.
Held every year toward the end of July, Cheyenne Frontier Days is the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. When you visit the rodeo, you’ll find 10 days of great food, fun rides, and plenty of excitement. Learn more about the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days and discover what you can expect this year.
History of Cheyenne Frontier Days
Cheyenne Frontier Days started in 1897 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Events for that first rodeo were exhibitions that tested a cowboy’s skill, including bronco busting, pony races, and steer roping. The first rodeo was so successful it expanded to two days and added a parade the following year. As the years went on and the rodeo continued to grow in popularity, more events were added. Today Cheyenne Frontier Days is a 10-day event that’s held at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena and throughout Cheyenne and draws an estimated 200,000 people every year.
Every Jeep SUV has the DNA of the original Willys off-road vehicle. However, the most direct descendant of that World War II vehicle is the Wrangler. The all-new 2018 Wrangler handles mountain roads, straight highways, rocky trails, and low rivers with ease, making it a great choice for any Wyoming resident.
Stick to Winding Mountains
The mountain roads in Wyoming can be surprisingly steep and winding, making them a challenge to drive on a dry summer day and almost impossible when it snows in winter. However, the Wrangler has several features to make those tough mountain drives easier. First, every Wrangler comes with a 4×4 drivetrain standard, and the Selec-Trac System can automatically switch to four-wheel drive when the road conditions demand it. You also have Hill Descent Control, a feature that automatically controls your speed when you’re going downhill so that you can concentrate on steering.
Guernsey State Park isn’t the biggest park in Wyoming, but it offers beautiful views and interesting historical sites. You can find it right near the town of Guernsey, which is along US-26 and east of where the route turns north and joins I-25. Guernsey isn’t an international attraction like Yellowstone up in the northwest part of the state, but you can find plenty of things to do if you want to spend a day or a weekend at the park.
Enjoy the Lake
Guernsey State Park surrounds the Guernsey Reservoir. This reservoir came into being in 1927, the year the North Platte River Dam started operation. It’s one of several artificial reservoirs in southeast Wyoming and residents from all over can come by to enjoy one of the few open bodies of water in the area. Guernsey State Park allows all kinds of boats into the water, so long as the water level is high enough to reach the boat launches. They also have two beach areas by the Sandy Beach Campground.
Bob Ruwart Motors – Meet the New 2018 Buick Enclave
For 2018, Buick has completely redesigned its midsize crossover, the Enclave. This gives SUV buyers a new, upscale alternative to the regular midsize crossovers, with a roomy interior, high-quality materials, good fuel economy for the class, and an impressive list of features. If you want a three-row crossover that’s a cut above the rest, here is what the new Enclave has to offer.
The Spacious Interior
The new 2018 Enclave has room for seven passengers. The 2017 model had room for eight, but the reason the 2018 model has fewer seats is because the second row now comes standard with bucket seats. This means more room for your passengers, plus the power-folding second-row seats are easy to move forward so you can reach the back row. As for the cargo space, you can get up to 97.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down and the convenience of a standard hands-free power liftgate.
If you’re the type of driver who can never get enough speed, it’s important that you choose a vehicle built for performance. Fortunately, Chevrolet offers several world-class vehicles that will more than satisfy your need for speed. Check out these Chevrolet models that are a speed lover’s dream and learn about a few of their other outstanding features.
Chevrolet SS
When it comes to unbeatable speed, one of the best Chevrolet vehicles to drive is the SS. This exciting model offers incredible power that you’re sure to love, particularly if you’ve had a hard time finding a vehicle that satisfies your need for speed.
As the capital and largest city of Wyoming, Cheyenne has no shortage of fun activities and must-see attractions. The city has an extensive parks and recreation system, as well as more than fifty different locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Here are some of the best.
The Historic Plains Hotel
Visit the historic downtown neighborhood of Cheyenne to find this landmark that functions both as a modern hotel and historic landmark. The hotel dates back to 1911 when Cheyenne was flourishing from the success of the oil and cattle industry.
Interestingly, some people believe that the hotel is haunted. Visitors have reported disembodied laughter and voices in certain parts of the building. But the modern guest of the Historic Plains Hotel is far more likely to simply enjoy the unmatched amenities and convenient proximity to Cheyenne’s vibrant arts and culture district.
Building a business is no easy task. It requires discipline, capital, a business plan, faithful employees, and tons of other moving parts to become profitable. One of the aspects you shouldn’t overlook is your work vehicle. Whether you’re a courier, construction company, florist, or something else, you need a vehicle that’s as reliable and dependable as your business. If you’re searching for a new work vehicle or wanting to upgrade, use these tips to find the ideal truck or van.
Analyze Your Towing, Payload, and GCWR Needs
Towing, payload, and gross combined weight rating (GCWR) are the three most important components for individuals who fill their vehicle to capacity or tow trailers regularly. The towing capacity is straightforward, measuring how much the vehicle can pull from the hitch. For most contractors, this will vary between 3,000 and 10,000 pounds, although some vehicles offer towing capacities that approach 20,000 pounds.
Payload is the amount of weight a vehicle can carry on its frame. For most work vans and trucks, a payload of about 1,000 to 2,000 pounds is standard, although larger vehicles can handle even more.
Cheyenne, Wyoming, has numerous restaurants, but not all of them have legendary status. Here are four locally owned restaurants that you should visit. Whether you are a tourist, or a local, you won’t walk away disappointed.
Luxury Diner
Luxury Diner is located at 1401 W. Lincolnway. Be aware that if you plan on dining at this gem during the week, it is only open until 3 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, they stay open later, until 1:30 a.m. Local legend has it that the Luxury Diner, which is located in an old luxury dining car, used to be a working trolley on the streets of Cheyenne from 1894 until 1912. Eventually, it became the Luxury Diner in 1964. Everything at this restaurant is prepared from scratch with local ingredients, with some of the recipes being decades old.
The Luxury Diner has a different breakfast and lunch special every day. Some of their specialties include their Philly cheesesteak sandwich, sausage gravy, and green chili.
Keep heading north from Denver on I-25 and you’ll run into Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. Cheyenne is a big city, at least by Wyoming’s standards, and it has plenty of tourist destinations that aren’t hard to find if you take a look around. So whether Cheyenne is your destination or whether you’re driving through to reach somewhere else, you should stop by at least one of these tourist destinations.
Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum
Cheyenne Frontier Days is a massive event, one of the biggest rodeos and festivals in the area. It takes place every year for a week in late July, but if you aren’t around for the big rodeo you can always visit the Old West Museum nearby. The museum collects artifacts that date back to before Wyoming was a frontier territory, plus it has exhibits that describe the history of Cheyenne Frontier Days. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for kids 12 and under, and it’s open every day from 9 to 5.
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