Wyoming

If Wyoming is as famous as it is for its groomed trail systems, just imagine how good the backcountry riding is all over the state.

We've experienced some of the Cowboy State's backcountry-some secret and some not so secret-and can vouch for the champagne powder and awesome terrain.

Groomed trail systems can be found in all four corners of Wyoming but in between and even close by are some of the West's best kept backcountry secrets.

We're kind of cheating on this first area because you use a groomed trail to access the backcountry, but it's worth the trip, with or without a groomed trail. The trail is south of Jackson Hole, a few miles southeast of Hoback Junction, and leads to a hot springs and some stellar backcountry riding. Another excellent backcountry riding area is near Bedford, on the west side of the state, where there is bowl after bowl for those who like to test their horsepower (and personal stamina).

Down south of Evanston, located in the extreme southwest corner of the state, you can ride in the High Uintas and Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

There is a groomed trail system here but on one of our trips to this part of the state we completely bypassed the groomed trails and played all day in the backcountry. For more information contact the Evanston Chamber of Commerce (800) 328-9708.

A lesser known spot is the remote Shirley Mountains, north and east of Rawlins. Riding here is on BLM land with about 90 miles of ungroomed trails. Access to the area is available along the Shirley Mountain Loop Road. For more information on this area, contact the Carbon County Visitors Council (800) 228-3547.

Or there is some great riding in the Laramie Mountains between Laramie and Douglas (in the Medicine Bow National Forest). Contact the Douglas Chamber of Commerce (877) 937-4996 for more info on that part of Wyoming.

In the northeast corner of Wyoming outside the eastern border of Yellowstone National Park is a small groomed trail system in the Beartooth Mountains. Go to the eastern end of where the state stops grooming Trail A (U.S. Highway 212) and keep going up and over Beartooth Pass (10,947 feet). The scenery is spectacular and the riding for experienced sledders only.

There is one more area near Alpine that we've been sworn to secrecy about but it's a killer area with great climbing and some of the best backcountry riding you'll find anywhere. We really can't tell you where it is . but if you see the SnoWest trailer on the highway between Alpine and the Hoback Junction, you might want to follow it.