Location

Our route takes us through the Turtle Rock area of Vedauwoo, a classic loop winding between rounded granite domes, narrow corridors, and open forest.

Vedauwoo’s granite is over 1.4 billion years old, sculpted by wind, water, and freeze–thaw cycles. As we move through the loop, you’ll see feldspar crystals, weathered cracks, and smooth rock surfaces that tell the story of constant erosion in a harsh climate.

The area sits at high elevation, and despite strong winds and long winters, life thrives here in subtle ways.

The Day Plan

We’ll meet at Laramie Basecamp to coordinate transportation and review the plan for the day.

After a 30-minute drive, we’ll begin the loop at the trailhead. Early on, we’ll pass through open forest dominated by lodgepole pine and limber pine, trees that have adapted to wind exposure and poor soils by growing twisted and low to the ground.

As we transition onto granite slabs and boulder fields, we’ll talk briefly about route-finding, reading the terrain, and how animals naturally choose the same efficient paths we do.

Narrow passages between rocks create wind-protected microclimates where lichens and mosses slowly colonize the stone—some growing just a few millimeters per century. These small details are easy to miss but say a lot about time and resilience.

Optional scrambling sections offer a chance to move directly on the rock, practicing balance and awareness while appreciating the texture and grip of the granite.

We’ll pause for snacks or lunch at a scenic spot along the loop, with wide views across the high plains and distant mountain ranges. As we complete the circuit and return to the vehicles, you’ll likely notice how familiar the landscape feels—proof that slowing down changes how we experience a place.

Back in Laramie, the day often ends with dusty shoes, good stories, and maybe a well-earned drink.