Top 4 Lakes in the Medicine Bow Mountains

Just below the 12,013-foot Medicine Bow Peak, Lookout Lake is a beautiful mountain lake. The trail to the lake is really popular, but the lake is big enough to offer some solitude even when crowds are present. There are a number of other alpine lakes in the area if you are wanted to extend your hike a bit.

Barber Lake's roadside access makes it a great place to start, stop, or turn around on a ride along the nearby Barber Lake Trail (sometimes also called the Libby Creek Trail, since it ties in to the trail of that same name). If you start your ride here you can power up the trail's consistent elevation gain, then pretty much coast on the way back. Or you can make a loop by riding one way on Barber Lake Road. Barber Lake Trail, itself, is fun single and double track. Believe it or not, this is a great place for spotting butterflies too. Keep an eye out for species like the hoary anglewing and the green comma if you pause in your ride.

Pretty Barber Lake is a great roadside destination, but it also makes a decision point (or starting place) for runners, as you can choose from several routes here. One fun option is to power up the single- and double-track of the Barber Lake Trail — with consistent elevation gain that will have your thighs burning — then loop around and freewheel it on the descent along Barber Lake Road.

Pretty Barber Lake sits at the juncture of the trail and the road of the same name. This is a great place to start or end a hike, or to piece together a loop between the Barber Lake Trail and Barber Lake Road. This area is also surprisingly good for spotting butterflies and moths. Keep an eye out for unusual species including the hoary anglewing and the green comma.

The Twin Crater Lakes are a truly stunning set of alpine lakes deep in the seldom-visited Rawah Wilderness. Those who do decide to make the trek up to these lakes are rewarded with stunning views, solitude, and in the summer, amazing wildflowers on the shores of the lakes.

Zimmerman Lake is a scenic, small lake ringed with fir and spruce trees in the Roosevelt National Forest. This lake is a great habitat for native cutthroat trout, which you can sometimes see jumping out of the water for bugs. This picturesque spot is accessible via a relatively short, moderate trail on an old logging road, making it a great destination for people of all ages and ability levels.