Southeast Region

Seeing southeastern Wyoming from Interstate 80 is deceiving. Across the southern horizon are the Medicine Bow Mountains, but seen from the road, they appear little more than an extension of Colorado's Front Range. Don't be fooled. These are mountains that need to be entered to be appreciated, and access is easy with two paved highways bisecting the range.

The Medicine Bows are best known for the Snowy Range, a crest of summits that rise well above timberline. Below the peaks, and beside the road, are gorgeous trout-filled alpine lakes that lure anglers and photographers alike. The campgrounds found here are among the state's most scenic.

Further east, between Cheyenne and Laramie, is Pole Mountain... often referred to as Vedauwoo, its Indian name. Here, you'll find jumbled, curious-looking piles of sherman granite that are regionally-recognized for outstanding rock climbing. Further east yet, you'll find Curt Gowdy State Park, offering boating, fishing, and camping. Hiking and mountain biking are also favorite pasttimes of the area.

On the west side of the region is the Sierra Madre, an isolated mountain range that still holds its wild character. The Sierra Madre straddles the Continental Divide, bringing CDT hikers through its high forests and meadows. These mountains are also home to the Huston Park and Encampment River Wildernesses, allowing for primitive and unspoiled backcountry recreation.

For more information about backcountry recreation in this region, check out our other book, Hiking Wyoming's Medicine Bow National Forest.