Wyoming Trail

Trail is situated within La Bonte Canyon in the Laramie Peak area, located 35 miles southwest of Douglas, Wyoming. Steep canyon sides, along with patches of aspen and conifers, makes this area one of the most scenic on the Douglas Ranger District. The canyon bottom is about 6,000 ft in elevation, and has granite rock formations for climbing and photography.

Trail # 1199 Motorized Double track, ATV/Motorcycle trail that connects to the CDT1101 Wyoming trail.

Trail #1101 Motorized double track, ATV/Motorcycle trail to the south, connects to the 1134 trail. Multi-use to the North, Mount Zirkel Wilderness access. Provides horse trailer parking for the Buffalo Pass Trailhead.

Located just south of the Wyoming/Colorado state border, on the Routt National Forest, Parks Ranger District in the Snowy Range.

Accesses Northgate Canyon, which falls within the Platte River Wilderness area and provides the public with a unique opportunity for both exciting whitewater and solitude. Please respect wilderness values and preserve them for the future. One of the regulations to help preserve solitude is a maximum group size of 25 persons per trip. Please call the ranger district for a complete list of Platte River Wilderness regulations: Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District at 307-326-5258.

The normal floating season runs from late May through June, although runoff is very unpredictable. A flow of at least 1200 c.f.s. is recommended for floating. Daily flow information is available during the float season at the Brush Creek/Hayden District office or by checking online at: North Platte River Near Northgate, CO - USGS Water Data for the Nation .

Floating is hazardous in Northgate due to the river, weather and access. Navigation on the river is very technical because of numerous rocks and maneuverability problems. The weather at this elevation, 8,000 feet, is highly unpredictable in June where snow, freezing rain, and high winds are not uncommon.

Access is limited to two main points, Routt Access and Six Mile Gap, with the most dangerous rapids in between, known as Northgate Canyon.

Camping is allowed along the river.

Fishing may be good for brown and rainbow trout in the calmer stretches. The canyon is in two states; both Colorado and Wyoming fishing licenses are required. Wildlife sighted includes mule deer, elk, bighorn sheep, ducks, geese, raptors, and many songbirds.

Regulations are posted on access bulletin boards. Permits are not required for private trips. No person or guide may receive a profit, salary or gratuity, or increase their net worth or amortize equipment costs for float trips without a Special Use Permit. Special Use Permits are required for all commercial outfitters and free for private party trips.

Savage Run Wilderness lies within the Medicine Bow National Forest in Wyoming. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is located on the Laramie Ranger District.

The United States Congress designated the Savage Run Wilderness in 1978 and it has a total of 14,927 acres.

Elevations vary from 8,000 to 10,000 feet. Steep-sided canyons are located at low elevations while rolling, plateau-like terrain can be found at higher elevations. The Savage Run Trail (9 miles) traverses the wilderness along Savage Run Creek.

Anglers come for the creek's brook trout, while a resident elk population attracts hunters. Hiking and backpacking are other popular activities.

Use French Creek or Rob Roy Campgrounds as jumping off points for the wilderness. Find trail access using Forest Roads 500 and 512.

Wilderness.net page for Savage Run Wilderness

Trails/Trailheads that access the Savage Run Wilderness include:

Cottonwood Trail

Savage Run Trail

Select 'Hiking' on the Laramie Ranger District Recreation page for a complete list of trails.