We're passing through Cheyenne soon and may spend an evening and morning there. Anyone know of a location in that area that is interesting to photograph at sunrise or sunset?
Thanks!
Posted by Phillip Noll on June 9, 2014 at 10:20 AM
Yeah, what Phil said. North of Cheyenne is mostly prairie but the skies are pretty big. Some nice wide angle comps to be found. If you cut over and go up 85 through Lusk there are some interesting rock formations a few miles north of town. Beyond that it's pretty blase' till you get into the Hills.
Oh, hey...if you're going up I-25 the new Visitor Center south of Cheyenne has some great displays including a Mammoth skeleton. Jackson (and Bret) might find that to be pretty cool.
Phillip: Vedauwoo looks interesting. Thanks for the tip!
Bill: I think we'll have to make a stop at that VC. Jackson would love it!
Todd: We're thinking about doing a short backpacking trip in the Snowy Range. Any trails or areas you'd recommend? We'll have Jackson and two pugs with us so we probably shouldn't plan on doing more than 5 miles in a day.
Bret,
Assuming you plan to camp, Curt Gowdy St Park is the place to be close to Cheyenne. Its about half way between Laramie and Cheyenne. The st park has two reservoirs and plenty of trails (actually great mt bike trails too). Occasionally, there can be some epic skies sunrise or sunset. Additionally, Vedauwoo is not that far away. Your son would have a ball at both the St Park and Vedauwoo; particulary is he likes climbing rocks!
Posted by Monika Chace on June 9, 2014 at 10:26 PM
Bret, I just came back from Vedauwoo & Happy Jack Rd to Government Rd. Wildflowers in dense bunches in meadows off of Happy Jack Rd, but fairly scattered in scrub close to the rock formations at Vedauwoo. You could get some good night shots there, I think, if the moon & clouds & your schedule cooperate. I will post shots in a reply later tonight or tomorrow or later...... so you can see. I don't know the area well enough to speculate on how it'll look in a week or 2, but I do know that when it was early blooms (avalanche lilies) in the Snowies last year, everything was toast at Vedauwoo.
You don't have to hike far in the Snowies to get to beautiful places. Going to N & S Gap lakes & beyond (east or north) is nice. If you go the the west side of Sugarloaf, there are some nice trails (where you start depends on your vehicle's clearance) and fewer people (Long Lake area). The back side of Sugarloaf doesn't look great as it's mostly scree, but that makes for more surfaces to reflect the sunset (the photographic challenge is to not be highlighting all the beetlekill) Bring lots of mosquito repellent! You can hike from Libby Lake down to, umm, I think maybe Mirror Lake? Lake Marie? Big day hike (with the walk along the road to the car) for your requirements, but certainly gorgeous enough to camp part of the way & make it leisurely. One of the adults can walk back to the car while the kids & pugs hang out by the last lake.
Posted by Monika Chace on June 9, 2014 at 11:32 PM
Bret, these were taken mid-day, closer to Laramie than Cheyenne
Posted by Monika Chace on June 9, 2014 at 11:33 PM
#2. Windy, as usual.
Posted by Todd Caudle on June 10, 2014 at 12:23 PM
The Snowy Range seems like more of a short day hike destination than days-long trip. It's a pretty small, compact area and everything is pretty easily accessible for shorter hikes. If you're looking for multiday treks, it's probably not the place.
Thanks, Monika and Ken! Very helpful information. I've actually heard good things about the MTB trails at Curt Gowdy SP. Might be a great place to spend the night and do some riding before heading out the next day. I appreciate the photos as they help to get a visual of what to expect. Much appreciated!
Discussion
11 repliesThanks!
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mbr/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=22872&actid=31
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vedauwoo
Phillip: Vedauwoo looks interesting. Thanks for the tip!
Bill: I think we'll have to make a stop at that VC. Jackson would love it!
Todd: We're thinking about doing a short backpacking trip in the Snowy Range. Any trails or areas you'd recommend? We'll have Jackson and two pugs with us so we probably shouldn't plan on doing more than 5 miles in a day.
Assuming you plan to camp, Curt Gowdy St Park is the place to be close to Cheyenne. Its about half way between Laramie and Cheyenne. The st park has two reservoirs and plenty of trails (actually great mt bike trails too). Occasionally, there can be some epic skies sunrise or sunset. Additionally, Vedauwoo is not that far away. Your son would have a ball at both the St Park and Vedauwoo; particulary is he likes climbing rocks!
You don't have to hike far in the Snowies to get to beautiful places. Going to N & S Gap lakes & beyond (east or north) is nice. If you go the the west side of Sugarloaf, there are some nice trails (where you start depends on your vehicle's clearance) and fewer people (Long Lake area). The back side of Sugarloaf doesn't look great as it's mostly scree, but that makes for more surfaces to reflect the sunset (the photographic challenge is to not be highlighting all the beetlekill) Bring lots of mosquito repellent! You can hike from Libby Lake down to, umm, I think maybe Mirror Lake? Lake Marie? Big day hike (with the walk along the road to the car) for your requirements, but certainly gorgeous enough to camp part of the way & make it leisurely. One of the adults can walk back to the car while the kids & pugs hang out by the last lake.
Todd: We're just looking for an overnight trip.