The Laramie Schoolyard trails are part of a community project (The Pilot Hill Project) connecting the foothills of the high desert in Laramie to the Continental Divide. These foothills also cover the span of the Casper Aquifer, a unique and crucial source of groundwater and drinking water for Albany County residents. The goal of the Pilot Hill Project is to maintain the land as open space, provide wildlife habitat protection and non-motorized recreational access for the benefit of all of southeastern Wyoming. Since the inception of the Project there has been overwhelming public support, and the Schoolyard trails have become a place for all types of recreationists to enjoy the beauty of SE Wyoming. There are out and back trails, loops, and the possibility to link up trails for ultra-runs. All trails are well maintained with consistent signage.
Further, the Pilot Hill Project directly connect Laramie neighborhoods to almost nine square miles of open space in the foothills and to over 65,000 additional acres of National Forest Lands in the Laramie Range. Learn more about these special trails at pilothill.org
Comments
The title of this route should be "serpentine of single track!" Lots of twists and turns on the gentle hills just east of Laramie, Wyoming. When in doubt, stay on the single track as there are many intersections with double track dirt and gravel road. The only time you're on double track is very close to the start/finish. Also, most of the key intersections are marked by pink flags although there are one or two that deviate from that system, so keep your GPS route handy. Route is short enough to not require food or fluid, unless it's a very hot day. I ran around 9am on a relatively cool August morning (Strava said it was 50 degrees).Â
Even better than the running route is the town of Laramie. It's a classic western downtown with cool shops. Definitely worth a visit!Â
Update: the pink flags are now gone from this route.