By Brian and Dani Harrington by Dani and Brian Harrington visitlaramie.org visitlaramie.org
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he Snowy Range Mountains of southeastern Wyoming are home to nearly two million acres of exceptional snowmobiling territory. About 30 miles west of Laramie, Wyoming, this area is a premier destination for snowmobilers— and for good reason. It is vast, scenically beautiful, and offers a greater sense of solace and freedom when compared to other snowmobile destinations in the Rocky Mountains. If you want to escape the crowds while still having access to everything you need for a great trip, the mountains of southeastern Wyoming are a superb choice. To help visitors learn more about how to make the most of their time snowmobiling in Wyoming’s Snowy Range, we (Dani and Brian) turned to Laramie native and snowmobile enthusiast, Chris Jansen, who kindly offered up tips and insights about snowmobiling in this area of the world. His local knowledge and years of experience will prove useful to anyone considering a snowmobile vacation near Laramie.
Tip #1: Choose Your Path Wisely
Give your adventure some thought before you head out. Ask yourself what kind of terrain you want to experience and what is appropriate for your skill level. The Snowy Range is home to incredible backcountry riding as well as groomed and marked trails, and there are plenty of areas offering amazing hillclimbing, as well as scenic, wide-open meadows.
Be sure to do your research beforehand by consulting maps and talking with people who are familiar with the area. Chris recommended stopping by TNT Motorsports or Frontier Cycles in Laramie for valuable information about trails and snow and avalanche conditions. Snowmobiling in the Snowy Range typically means choosing to depart from either Albany Lodge or Green Rock Trailhead. Albany Lodge lies at the base of the Snowy Range and offers easy access to hundreds of miles of groomed and marked snowmobile trails, while the Green Rock Trailhead is located above Centennial higher up in the range. If you are looking for more groomed trails, Albany Lodge is definitely the place to depart from, while the trails around Green Rock are mostly ungroomed. On the flipside, Green Rock offers quicker access to spectacular backcountry territory, though amenities at the trailhead are limited to a Forest Service bathroom. Albany Lodge features a restaurant and bar, rentals, gear, guide service, a convenience store, and lodging. Regardless of your starting point, Albany Lodge and Green Rock are connected by the trail systems. Understanding more about these two departure points will nonetheless help you better plan for the kind of experience you’re aimed at.
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