thenaturalmedic - Sep 26, 2023 11:31 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2023
Made it up!
Well, it was an adventure to get there for starters. Wow! Going up was a challenge but I made it! Not for the faint of heart. What a view up top! Took me 8 hours total, 6 hours was the actual moving time. I clocked around 11 miles up and back the trail will take your breath away but they view up top even more so!
tehbea5t - May 27, 2018 11:38 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2017
First Attempt
Snow levels were still high starting halfway up. It was 4:30 and had to turn around just short of the summit.
technicolorNH - Aug 10, 2017 12:20 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2017
Great trail but the summit was meh
The sign at the trailhead said 4.2 miles but 4.8 miles is correct. The trail itself is broad and well set up with two sturdy bridges on the way. The summit on the other hand was cluttered with communications equipment and construction debris so when I stepped on a rusty nail while trying to find the chain I decided I would be content with climbing on the helicopter pad. The trees on the summit were also crawling with hordes of black flies, so that if you grabbed a branch while crawling over the boulders about forty or fifty bugs would land on you and immediately start biting. Two hours and forty five minutes up and two hours down on a cloudy day.
Since nobody's explicitly said it: you can get to the TH with a car just fine from Glendo. Summit boulder was tougher than expected--bring climbing shoes if you have them. Chain's still there, but I lucked out and got a belay from Teresa Gergen! Had an incident with some freaking crazy rednecks on the drive out (don't ask)
tylordthemighty - Aug 23, 2014 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2014
Boom!
Nailed it, 5-hours roundtrip. With Rambo the dog! Awesome hike, awesome views!
geosean - Oct 17, 2011 1:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
Great Fall Day
Summited about 3:30 on a beautiful, warm, but windy fall day. Trail covered in snow from about halfway; about 8 inches at the summit. Made the top of the summit boulder but had to cling to the metal spikes in the face of a gale. The view was great and the trail was interesting enough the whole way I didn’t get tired. And as a bonus I didn’t get shot by the multitudes of hunters in the area (though none near the trail).
P.S. there IS a chain, you have to look in the west facing chimney behind one of the buildings.
chancekafka - Aug 9, 2011 3:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
Finally Made it
Having grown up in Wheatland I was always eager to see the view from the top. I tried the trail twice with my mom, once when I was 10 or 11, and once again shortly after my dad passed away at the age of 13. Both times proved to be too challenging for us, but I decided to try it a third time. I hiked up with my friend, starting about 10 and reaching the summit at 1:30 or so. It was a killer hike with lots of lose rock, patches of mud in places, and even a couple snakes near the trailhead! But making it the top was great, and I knew I finally did it. I even planked on the summit (the only time I've ever planked), and we scrambled down. Going up I felt the pressure in my chest and lungs and going down I rolled my ankle a couple of times, but the view at the top was worth it. We eventually made it back the trailhead after five. I guess for some people it's not too hard, but I'll tell you being a landlubber where my primary exercise is golf, bowling, and some weight lifting, this was a challenge!
221wyo - Jul 5, 2011 12:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2011
4th of July
Love the helo pad and the rusty chain!
eric-griz - Jun 27, 2009 11:27 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2009
Beautiful Area
It was a nice quiet hike to the summit area. Great views from up there. i was a little bit nervous about the scramble up to the actual summit, but with the aid of the rusty, old chain up there I made it. There are some interesting carvings in the rock up there. On the way down we saw, smelled, and heard some ATVs.
Brian Kalet - May 19, 2009 6:03 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2009
Friend Park Trail
Nice summit block!
kavak - Jan 5, 2009 10:29 am Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1994
Friend Park Trail
I had flown over this peak many times while traveling to Gillette, WY. Finally, I made arrangements with a hiking partner to climb it. The chain that aids you to the true summit was not there at the time of our ascent. We wandered around quite a bit before deciding on climbing up the chimney by the small building.
aachristensen - Jun 29, 2008 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2008
AChristensen
Very nice hike. We had 5 adults and 5 teenaged scouts in our group. Each boy was required to carry a 30 pound pack to qualify and prepare for a 6 day trip through the Wind River Range. The entire group summited. No snow on the trail.
WyoNative - Jun 22, 2008 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2008
Flat tire on rental car upon return trip
Nice day for a hike.....Hiked from Laramie Peak Trailhead near Friend Park. The streams and waterfalls were really nice, but the snow near the summit was a real bummer, making my feet cold and wet!
My rental car (somewhere on the return trip to Casper) blew a tire; I did not realize it until I saw something fly through the air! My first attempt at changing a tire was unsuccessful, but some very nice people from Glendo drove me to Esterbrook for a ride. The hike and summit were uneventful; however, I do not recommend the dirt road for a rental car with crappy tires....
JassenB - Jun 21, 2008 8:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2008
First Ever Ascent
This was my first ever ascent to the summit of anything under my own power. Ran into previous commenter, AubreySun, on trail. The 10 miles and 3,000 foot elevation change put this couch potato down for the count once back at the car, but the area is so incredibly beautiful that I highly recommend this hike. Well worth the 4 hour drive.
AubreySun - Jun 15, 2008 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2008
Friend Park
Hiked from the Laramie Peak Trailhead Parking area (about 7,700'). The trail descended just over 100' to the creek, then ascended gradually to the summit. Many fallen trees right off the bat (making ATVing impossible). Snow was found on the trail above 9,000 feet. Above 9,200', it was unavoidable, and postholing became an issue. That said, some snowdrifts could be circumnavigated via rocks/logs and the trail was never really lost, but there were still a lot of inevitable snow crossings (some was packed; some was posthole hell). No snow in the summit area. Made it up the chimney to the actual summit without too much effort, though it was awkward. Winds were pretty strong up there. Overall, it was a nice climb, even though the snow was annoying. Seems to be melting fast, though. Waterproof boots, gaiters and trekking poles highly recommended at this time. Maybe even Yaktrax or Stabil-icers for the early morning.
wyomtman - Dec 12, 2007 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1998
Take your kids
Fun day hike with friends Tom and Floyd, we did Eagle Peak as well. Lots of good granite in the area. Go POKES!
scramblingbadger - Aug 12, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
Great Trail!
The trail is well-designed for steady rise (after the first mile) and for occasional clear views. It took about 2 1/1 hours up and 2 hours down. Met about 30 other hikers during the day, including three from the Ukraine. We has some lunch at the top, followed by a toast. Great views the whole day (see gallery).
jordansahls - Jun 21, 2007 4:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2007
Beautiful area!
The drive in was spectacular. Lots of baby deer and antelope! The trail itself was a very pleasant mellow hike. Started at 9:30 and made it to the top at 11:30, bouldered around for a while then came down. I got back to the car at 1:30, very fun hike.
John_Sandlian - Jun 7, 2007 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2005
Another Summit
I've been up to the top a good dozen times over the years and its still awesome to look over the valley. A nice day hike for anyone in the area.
thenaturalmedic - Sep 26, 2023 11:31 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2023
Made it up!Well, it was an adventure to get there for starters. Wow! Going up was a challenge but I made it! Not for the faint of heart. What a view up top! Took me 8 hours total, 6 hours was the actual moving time. I clocked around 11 miles up and back the trail will take your breath away but they view up top even more so!
Jawinney - Aug 10, 2021 4:21 pm
Laramie Peak first16 years old in 1993
tehbea5t - May 27, 2018 11:38 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2017
First AttemptSnow levels were still high starting halfway up. It was 4:30 and had to turn around just short of the summit.
technicolorNH - Aug 10, 2017 12:20 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2017
Great trail but the summit was mehThe sign at the trailhead said 4.2 miles but 4.8 miles is correct. The trail itself is broad and well set up with two sturdy bridges on the way. The summit on the other hand was cluttered with communications equipment and construction debris so when I stepped on a rusty nail while trying to find the chain I decided I would be content with climbing on the helicopter pad. The trees on the summit were also crawling with hordes of black flies, so that if you grabbed a branch while crawling over the boulders about forty or fifty bugs would land on you and immediately start biting. Two hours and forty five minutes up and two hours down on a cloudy day.
Dartmouth Hiker - Sep 23, 2014 7:47 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2014
Crazy daySince nobody's explicitly said it: you can get to the TH with a car just fine from Glendo. Summit boulder was tougher than expected--bring climbing shoes if you have them. Chain's still there, but I lucked out and got a belay from Teresa Gergen! Had an incident with some freaking crazy rednecks on the drive out (don't ask)
tylordthemighty - Aug 23, 2014 8:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 23, 2014
Boom!Nailed it, 5-hours roundtrip. With Rambo the dog! Awesome hike, awesome views!
geosean - Oct 17, 2011 1:13 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
Great Fall DaySummited about 3:30 on a beautiful, warm, but windy fall day. Trail covered in snow from about halfway; about 8 inches at the summit. Made the top of the summit boulder but had to cling to the metal spikes in the face of a gale. The view was great and the trail was interesting enough the whole way I didn’t get tired. And as a bonus I didn’t get shot by the multitudes of hunters in the area (though none near the trail).
P.S. there IS a chain, you have to look in the west facing chimney behind one of the buildings.
chancekafka - Aug 9, 2011 3:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 7, 2011
Finally Made itHaving grown up in Wheatland I was always eager to see the view from the top. I tried the trail twice with my mom, once when I was 10 or 11, and once again shortly after my dad passed away at the age of 13. Both times proved to be too challenging for us, but I decided to try it a third time. I hiked up with my friend, starting about 10 and reaching the summit at 1:30 or so. It was a killer hike with lots of lose rock, patches of mud in places, and even a couple snakes near the trailhead! But making it the top was great, and I knew I finally did it. I even planked on the summit (the only time I've ever planked), and we scrambled down. Going up I felt the pressure in my chest and lungs and going down I rolled my ankle a couple of times, but the view at the top was worth it. We eventually made it back the trailhead after five. I guess for some people it's not too hard, but I'll tell you being a landlubber where my primary exercise is golf, bowling, and some weight lifting, this was a challenge!
221wyo - Jul 5, 2011 12:57 am Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2011
4th of JulyLove the helo pad and the rusty chain!
eric-griz - Jun 27, 2009 11:27 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2009
Beautiful AreaIt was a nice quiet hike to the summit area. Great views from up there. i was a little bit nervous about the scramble up to the actual summit, but with the aid of the rusty, old chain up there I made it. There are some interesting carvings in the rock up there. On the way down we saw, smelled, and heard some ATVs.
Brian Kalet - May 19, 2009 6:03 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2009
Friend Park TrailNice summit block!
kavak - Jan 5, 2009 10:29 am Date Climbed: Sep 4, 1994
Friend Park TrailI had flown over this peak many times while traveling to Gillette, WY. Finally, I made arrangements with a hiking partner to climb it. The chain that aids you to the true summit was not there at the time of our ascent. We wandered around quite a bit before deciding on climbing up the chimney by the small building.
aachristensen - Jun 29, 2008 11:48 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2008
AChristensenVery nice hike. We had 5 adults and 5 teenaged scouts in our group. Each boy was required to carry a 30 pound pack to qualify and prepare for a 6 day trip through the Wind River Range. The entire group summited. No snow on the trail.
WyoNative - Jun 22, 2008 7:38 pm Date Climbed: Jun 15, 2008
Flat tire on rental car upon return tripNice day for a hike.....Hiked from Laramie Peak Trailhead near Friend Park. The streams and waterfalls were really nice, but the snow near the summit was a real bummer, making my feet cold and wet!
My rental car (somewhere on the return trip to Casper) blew a tire; I did not realize it until I saw something fly through the air! My first attempt at changing a tire was unsuccessful, but some very nice people from Glendo drove me to Esterbrook for a ride. The hike and summit were uneventful; however, I do not recommend the dirt road for a rental car with crappy tires....
JassenB - Jun 21, 2008 8:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2008
First Ever AscentThis was my first ever ascent to the summit of anything under my own power. Ran into previous commenter, AubreySun, on trail. The 10 miles and 3,000 foot elevation change put this couch potato down for the count once back at the car, but the area is so incredibly beautiful that I highly recommend this hike. Well worth the 4 hour drive.
AubreySun - Jun 15, 2008 11:19 pm Date Climbed: Jun 14, 2008
Friend ParkHiked from the Laramie Peak Trailhead Parking area (about 7,700'). The trail descended just over 100' to the creek, then ascended gradually to the summit. Many fallen trees right off the bat (making ATVing impossible). Snow was found on the trail above 9,000 feet. Above 9,200', it was unavoidable, and postholing became an issue. That said, some snowdrifts could be circumnavigated via rocks/logs and the trail was never really lost, but there were still a lot of inevitable snow crossings (some was packed; some was posthole hell). No snow in the summit area. Made it up the chimney to the actual summit without too much effort, though it was awkward. Winds were pretty strong up there. Overall, it was a nice climb, even though the snow was annoying. Seems to be melting fast, though. Waterproof boots, gaiters and trekking poles highly recommended at this time. Maybe even Yaktrax or Stabil-icers for the early morning.
TR here:
http://www.14ers.com/php14ers/tripreport.php?trip=4417&cpgm=tripmain
wyomtman - Dec 12, 2007 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 1998
Take your kidsFun day hike with friends Tom and Floyd, we did Eagle Peak as well. Lots of good granite in the area. Go POKES!
scramblingbadger - Aug 12, 2007 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 11, 2007
Great Trail!The trail is well-designed for steady rise (after the first mile) and for occasional clear views. It took about 2 1/1 hours up and 2 hours down. Met about 30 other hikers during the day, including three from the Ukraine. We has some lunch at the top, followed by a toast. Great views the whole day (see gallery).
jordansahls - Jun 21, 2007 4:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2007
Beautiful area!The drive in was spectacular. Lots of baby deer and antelope! The trail itself was a very pleasant mellow hike. Started at 9:30 and made it to the top at 11:30, bouldered around for a while then came down. I got back to the car at 1:30, very fun hike.
John_Sandlian - Jun 7, 2007 5:46 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2005
Another SummitI've been up to the top a good dozen times over the years and its still awesome to look over the valley. A nice day hike for anyone in the area.