Blackjack

Blackjack is a cross-country skiing route in the Laramie Ranger District of the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Wyoming, managed by the Forest Service. It sits about 0.38 miles from the start of the route, which makes it an easy addition to a day spent exploring the surrounding trails. The route is an out-and-back of about 0.76 miles, with a steady climb that gains about 69 feet on the way up and loses it on the way back. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.14 miles from the start, with a grade of around 4 percent. The high point is roughly 8639 feet, and the low is about 8602 feet. Winter is the natural season for a trip like this. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Laramie, at a lower elevation, point to January highs near 33°F and lows around 12°F. That station sits well below the route, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. The Alder cross-country ski trail and the Roller Coaster and Alder Trail mountain biking routes all lie about 0.1 miles away. Tie City Campground is about 0.4 miles off.