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Happy Jack Trails/Pole Mountain

Description | Ratings

Trails: At Pole Mountain's Happy Jack Trails 15 km (9 miles) of trails are groomed for cross-country skiing by the Medicine Bow Nordic Association. About half the trails are rated Easiset and More Difficult, the remainder are Most Difficult. All the trails one one-way – ski in the direction indicated. There are another 12 km of ungroomed trails. A Wednesday night race series is held throughout the winter.
Trail fees: National Forest recreation pass + club's trail fee
Tel: Medicine Bow-Routt NF, Laramie: 307-745-2300
Snow report: Conditions are posted on the club's website.
Nearest town: Laramie, WY
Web site: Medicine Bow Nordic Association | Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Trail map: Available at the Forest Service office and on the club's website
Equipment rentals: XC ski equipment is available Cross Country Connection in Laramie.
Ski lessons: The club offers junior and master ski programs.
Other winter activities: Snowshoeing
Facilities: Cabin at Tie City trailhead.
Lodging on site: None
Lodging nearby: Laramie and Cheyenne have several hotels, motels and other accommodations. See the lodging listings on the tourism websites.
Tourism info: Cheyenne Area CVB | Laramie Tourism
Weather forecast: Laramie
Location of trails: There are three trailheads at Pole Mountain off Happy Jack Road. Take I-80 miles 10 miles east of Laramie (or 35 miles west of Cheyenne) to Exit 323 and go north on Happy Jack Road (WYO 210). The groomed trails and cabin are at the Tie City trailhead, 1 mile north of the I-80.
Map of local region: Pole Mountain

Rate this XC Area

Number of ratings: 4
Average rating: 3.88  

4        

Name of XC Area: Pole Mountain
Times that I have skied there: Once
I last skied there in: Dec, 2003
Trails that I skied: upper UW, Meadow and Ridge trails
My favorite trails: all
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Scenery, layout
What I disliked: A little to hilly for me but I am a novice
Comments: Visit the I-80 rest area if you are interested in some local history, mainly about the highway construction.
Submitted by: David Pauwelyn
from: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date submitted: Dec 19, 2003

3          

Name of area: Pole Mountain
Times that I have skied there: Weekly
I last skied there in:
Trails that I skied:
My favorite trails:
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Very good
Rating: 3.5 stars
What I liked: No snowmobiles are allowed in the section of Medicine Bow National Forest between Cheyenne and Laramie.
What I disliked: Need someone to clean up the dog poop.
Comments: Close to Laramie, Cheyenne and Fort Collins.
Submitted by:
from:
Date submitted: Jan 7, 2003

2        

Area name: Pole Mountain
Times that I have skied there: Weekly
I last skied there in: Dec, 2002
Trails that I skied: summit loop, aspen trail, blackjack loops, headquarters
My favorite trails: aspen
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: Beautiful high country, lots of aspens and spruce...close to Cheyenne, Laramie, Fort Collins
What I disliked: Can be windy in the open areas and parking lot
Comments: Old downhill ski area nearby is great for sledding or carving a few tele turns.

Submitted by: RL
from: Cheyenne WY
Date submitted: Dec 7, 2002

1        

Name of area: Pole Mountain
Times that I have skied there: Weekly
I last skied there in: Nov, 2002
Trails that I skied: summit loop
My favorite trails: aspen loop
Trail marking: Very good
Trail grooming: Very good
Rating: 4 stars
What I liked: nice and close and wellgroomed, easy to get to and well managed area. No snowmobiles in area.
What I disliked:
Comments:
Submitted by: sws
from: wyoming
Date submitted: Nov 3, 2002

Rate this XC Area