Medicine Bow - Routt National Forests, Thunder Basin National Grassland
| Medicine Bow - Routt National Forest | |
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IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
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Medicine Bow National Forest
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| Location | Wyoming-Colorado, USA |
| Nearest city | Cheyenne, WY |
| Coordinates | 41°35′N 106°13′W / 41.583°N 106.217°WCoordinates: 41°35′N 106°13′W / 41.583°N 106.217°W |
| Area | 2,222,313 acres (8,993.38 km2) |
| Established | May 22, 1902 |
| Governing body | U.S. Forest Service |
| Website | Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest |
Medicine Bow – Routt National Forest is the official title to a U.S. Forest Service managed area extending over 2,222,313 acres (8,993.38 km2) in the states of Wyoming and Colorado, United States. What were once three separate areas, Medicine Bow National Forest, Routt National Forest and Thunder Basin National Grassland were administratively combined in 1995 due to similarity of the resources, proximity to each other and for administrative purposes.
The Medicine Bow National Forest section (1,096,891 acres) is located in southeastern Wyoming and was originally created as a forest reserve in 1902. Named after the Native American powwows in which numerous tribes would congregate here in search of mountain mahogany, which was an excellent wood for the manufacturing of bows, and to perform rituals hoped to cure diseases and thus make "good medicine". Areas of interest include the Snowy Range where the highest peak is Medicine Bow Peak at 12,013 feet (3,662 m) and is visible from Snowy Range Pass, 10,847 ft (3,306 m), on Wyoming highway 130. The Encampment River, Huston Park, Savage Run and Platte River Wildernesses are all located within the Medicine Bow portion of the National Forest. (A small part of the Platte River Wilderness extending into Colorado is shared with Routt National Forest, as indicated below.)Vedauwoo is located immediately north of Interstate 80 and consists of numerous rock outcroppings popular with rock climbers. In descending order of land area the forest is located in Carbon, Albany, Converse, Natrona, and Platte counties. There are local ranger district offices located in Laramie, Saratoga, and Douglas.
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