This is our first adventure to the Sugarloaf Recreation Area, in the Snowy Range. On our way in we stopped at the Visitors Center, and picked up maps and info on the area. Highway 130 is closed during the winter, and we were told that it was even closed over the beginning of July! There are 102 lakes in this area, and we were excited to hike around and fly fish. Do note that the Sugarloaf Recreation Area is a fee area, and you will be asked to pay $5/day. We were told that the fee is waved at Libby and Lewis Lake if you have paid for camping.
Visitor Center on the way to Sugarloaf CG. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
The campground is no frills, with pump water and vault toilets. The surrounding forest show the effects of the pine beetle, and the campground has had a lot of it’s trees cut down. There is ample supply of firewood, but you need a big saw. During our Sugarloaf adventure the high alpine flowers were in full bloom—we couldn’t have been luckier! Our campsite had an abundance of birds, some that I couldn’t identify. I was thrilled to see a three-toed woodpecker and three bald eagles.
Another adventure begins! On our way to Sugarloaf CG.
Heading into the campground. Sugarloaf CG, Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
The campsite area as we leave. Next year we will spend twice as much time here! Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Beautiful site, Sugarloaf CG, Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Can’t believe how many flowers were in bloom. Sugarloaf CG, Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sugarloaf is nearest to Libby Lake and Lewis Lake. Each of the lakes have well established trails around them. Lewis Lake seems to be the more popular of the two lakes. There are a couple trail heads that begin at Lewis Lake and are popular with backpackers. The views surrounding the two lakes are spectacular! We decided to hike up Medicine Bow Trail to the top of the mountains. The wind was so strong up at the top sometimes we thought we would blow over! There are a lot of lakes to explore along the way, and snow to play on with your pup 🙂
Overlooking Klondike Lake along Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Long-armed selfie. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Climbing up Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Daisy made it to the top! Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Up, up, and up we hike! Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Made it to the top! Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sara climbing up the snowbank—ready for the big slide down! Medicine Bow Trail. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
On the first day, Na and Daisy got caught in a short hail storm, and took shelter under the lip of a snowbank by the lake. It also became Daisy’s slide afterwards.
Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
If you are visiting from Colorado and intend to fish, stop in Centennial at the Friendly Store. Here you can purchase your WY fishing license and head down the street for some homemade ice cream at the Country Junction. Yummy!
The Friendly Store, Centennial WY
Country Junction, Centennial WY
Country Junction, Centennial WY
On the way to the campground we spotted a large boulder, with a lot of columbines. When Natasha went back to photograph the flowers there were two large bull moose! She took lots of pictures and a video with the telephoto lens.
Moose climbing a large boulder! Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Moose across from Sugarloaf CG. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
I fished around Libby Lake and eventually used my belly boat and caught some very colorful brook trout. I did not, however, have any luck fishing at Lewis Lake. While I was throwing line, Natasha and Daisy took in all the wildflowers around the area.
Returning a slippery brookie to the water, Libby Lake.
Fly fishing on Libby Lake.
Beautiful backdrop of the
Natasha, taking in the view surrounded by wildflowers. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Wildflowers galore! Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
What a view—perfect place for a day dream. 🙂 Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Beautiful colors on the brook trout! Libby Lake, WY.
Columbines in the sunset with a surprise visit from a humming bird moth. Libby Lake, WY.
Alpine indian paintbrush. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
There are many pull outs along the Snowy Range Scenic Byway (Highway 130) to explore and enjoy. The Scenic Byway is open Memorial Day through October, weather permitting. We stopped at Hourglass Lake and stretched our legs with a walk. Further up the road we spotted a moose foraging in a pond. This stretch of highway is worth experiencing.
Hourglass Lake, WY
Moose lunching next to a lake, WY.
We spent a day at
Mirror Lake fishing, playing with Daisy in the water, and having a lunch lakeside. There are a few trailheads that begin at Mirror Lake and you can also find a walking path that takes you down to
Lake Marie. We could see HUGE fish swimming around the shore and boulders of Lake Marie. Next trip we will definitely have to use the belly boat in that lake!
Portaging a canoe into the mountains! Above Mirror Lake, WY. Now that is a Mountain Man!
Mirror Lake, WY
Historic building at Mirror Lake, WY.
Mirror Lake, WY
Pucker up! Rainbow trout from Mirror Lake, WY.
Rainbow trout at Mirror Lake, WY.
Mirror Lake, WY
Trash can, but please don’t use it! Huh?
Lake Marie—what a wonderful place to spend a day!
Around 10 p.m. we headed out so Natasha could take night sky photos. We stopped at Mirror Lake (at the lake and above the lake), Lake Marie, and the
Observation Point at Libby Flats. The stars were so bright that we were overwhelmed. We were able to see meteors streaking through the sky, too! While walking to Lake Marie, we spotted a porcupine along the path. 🙂 Â
Next year we will try and come during the Perseid meteor shower. It will be awesome!!!!
Milky Way picture at the Observation Point at Libby Flats, WY.
Milky Way over Libby Lake. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Milky Way over the Airstream, Sugarloaf CG. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
Milky Way over the Airstream, Sugarloaf CG. Sugarloaf Rec. Area, WY.
We finally got some great trailcam pictures! Check out the dear at our campsite. 🙂
Trailcam at campsite. Look at the scar on the deer!
Trailcam at campsite.
Trailcam at campsite.
Trailcam at campsite.
This was an excellent adventure, and there is so much more that we wanted to do. We can not wait for next year! 😀
Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos and information. I came across your blog from your post of 5/31 on airforums. I look forward to reading your blog. I read and was interested in your stay at Yellowstone. My wife and I have been there for the past 2 of 3 years and look forward to visiting when we eventually buy our AS. Madison and Slough Creek will be our destination. I hope we cross paths. Take care and safe travels.
Richard
Thanks for the kind words, Richard. We had such a good time visiting Yellowstone—what an amazing area. I don’t remember if we posted that a bear left some scratch marks on the plexiglass that covers the front window! I wish we could have been there to see the Grizzly peeking into the camper. Unfortunately our trail cam didn’t pick up the bear either. Sneaky bear!
Sara