Locations in and close to Laramie are available to everyone of different hiking experiences.
Dan McCoy, the degree coordinator and associate lecturer for outdoor recreation and tourism management said that going outside for only three hours a month has benefits.
“We always recommend in the shorter days of winter, doing whatever you can to get outside is beneficial. Walking in the park or doing Nordic skiing can have its benefits. Living at 7000 feet, the sun can feel amazing even if the weather is not,” Garret Genereaux, the Outdoor Program coordinator of Campus Recreation, said.
“My recommendation is to choose one day that works best for you. I like warm weather so I pick a day that isn’t a complete blizzard. Just try to shoot for one day.
“If you don’t enjoy going to the park and walking in a circle, then don’t do that. Go roller skating or skiing instead,” said Emma Adams, a field guide with the UW Outdoor Program and a student majoring in outdoor recreation and tourism management.
McCoy said that people do not need to engage in running to get health benefits.
“If you feel stressed or burned out, tired from too much time on Zoom, being in the natural environment can derive benefits,” McCoy said. “Some of my favorite hikes around here in the Jacoby Ridge Trail or the School Yard Trail that are a part of the Pilot Ridge trail.”
The Jacoby Ridge Trail is located east of Laramie.
“In respect to driving in poor weather, the Jacoby Ridge trails are close proximity and can have protections from the wind,” Genereaux said.
The trail also allows leashed dogs and has large views of the vista. The School Yard Trail is open for biking as well as hiking.
“The trail head that I enjoy taking my dogs to is at Happy Jack trails at Summit trailhead.
“It’s in the main Happy Jack Trail. It’s a super easy loop and has multiple trails. That area is super fun and packed down super easily so you don’t need snow shoes,” Adams said.
The Happy Jack trails have multi-use trails for bikers and hikers as well as dedicated Nordic ski trails.
“Legally, all of the trails are multi-use, but it’s courteous to not use the other trails if you are not skiing, etc. The skiers can get ornery if you use their ski-groomed trails,” Genereaux said.
McCoy said the multi-use trails are packed to make hiking in the winter easier, but are not groomed like Nordic ski trails.
Other trails near Laramie include the Tie City trail and the Corner Mountain trail.
The Corner Mountain trail, located in Medicine Bow National forest, is a quarter of a mile and according to Adams is not busy with other hikers..
Closer to Laramie is the Green Belt trail. The trail runs along the Laramie River and one trailhead is located at Optimist Park which also has a dog access area.
“In Leave No Trace principles, please keep your dog on a leash and pick up after them,” Genereaux said.
The Leave No Trace organization advocates for anyone outdoors to leave the smallest impact on their environment from their visit.
According to Genereaux, maintaining hiking trails is harder when people don’t pick up after their dogs.
If there is bad weather or leaving Laramie is not an option, there are parks in town.
“Undine Park has all the activities like a tennis court. There’s a lot of space so many people take their dogs there. I have one unfriendly dog so that place is nice,” Adams said.
Other outdoor areas in Laramie with trails that are also dog friendly include UW campus, Washington Park, and LaPrele park.
“The best protection [in bad weather] is sticking to the loop around Washington Park. It’s in town and also requires less driving so you wouldn’t get stuck in an I-80 closure,” Genereaux said.
Through LaPrele Park and along Spring Creek Drive there is an unmarked trail that runs along a creek.
“Last summer it was contaminated with blue algae. That’s cleared up hopefully, but I like to take my dogs there so they can swim,” Adams said.
To stay warm on walks during the winter, Genereaux said to dress in layers.
“Layering is everything. It doesn’t have to be expensive outdoor clothes. If it’s warm [outside] you can always take layers off. Having a hot beverage will always do wonders for you whether it’s tea, coffee, or hot chocolate,” Generaux said.
When hiking in the Medicine Bow area caution is advised.
“I wouldn’t recommend going around Medicine Bow Creek. It’s a 7 mile hike and it’s all exposed. It’s also one of the top destinations for snowmobilers. Visibility can change quickly also, McCoy said. “I recommend sticking to places that are signed and maintained, and don’t make it more of an adventure that it needs to be.”
McCoy said there have also been reports of dogs caught in traps in trails in this area. It is legal to set the traps as well as hike with dogs off-leash.
“There are more people going in the public so the Game and Fish are looking at altering trapping regulations. They’ve placed more signs to notify the public of hunting and trapping activities. If you do hike your do off the leash I recommend carrying a few tools with you in case they get caught in the traps. These are steel traps,” McCoy said.
Game and Fish also provide training on how to handle traps.
Other resources for hiking can be found on the websites for Laramie Bike Net, Medicine Bow Nordic Association, and the Facebook group Laramie Trail Conditions.
Outdoor equipment can be rented from the Outdoor Program after requesting a rental appointment online to ensure social distancing.
