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Elk Meadow Mountain Bike Trail
Evergreen, Colorado
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
31 trail reviews |
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Status: updated 8/3/09 by AboveTheRidge |
Difficulty:  Intermediate |
| Length: 5 miles | Global Rank: #416 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Loop |
| Ridden: 175 | Wishlist: 92 |
| Avg. Speed: 5.34 mph | Avg. Time: 1hr 29min |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +3,938/-2,678 ft |
Directions:
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Description: There are actually two rides here but the Meadow trail is the easier option. The singletrack is wide most of the way and has only a few technical sections (switchbacks, rocks, etc.). The trail is fast, particularly when you head into the meadow about halfway into the loop. Watch for other trail users as this is a popular trail with hikers and bikers alike. Check out the map before you head out and grab your own copy at the trailhead if available. There are a ton of options out here so it's quite possible to get lost (or miss out on the fun sections). Bon apetit.
Description: There are actually two rides here but the Meadow trail is the easier option. The singletrack is wide most of the way and has only a few technical sections (switchbacks, rocks, etc.). The trail is fast, particularly when you head into the meadow about halfway into the loop. Watch for other trail users as this is a popular trail with hikers and bikers alike. Check out the map before you head out and grab your own copy at the trailhead if available. There are a ton of options out here so it's quite possible to get lost (or miss out on the fun sections). Bon apetit.
added on August 2, 2003 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:3 Sisters / Alderfer in Evergreen
Vail Mountain in Vail
White Ranch in Golden
Indian Creek Loop in Denver
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by Suque on August 13, 2011
A good ride both up and down. Watch out for lots of hikers on the weekend. Some great technical downhill. Be sure and get a map.
reviewed by Suque on August 13, 2011
A good ride both up and down. Watch out for lots of hikers on the weekend. Some great technical downhill. Be sure and get a map.
reviewed by ismael on July 6, 2011
One of my favorite trails..from the lower lot ride "Painters Pause" to"Meadow View" up "Too long trail" the peak of Bergen or loop it down to "Sleepy S"
Similar Trail: Alderfer/Three Sisters Park
reviewed by bikerboy3 on June 28, 2011
Beautiful trail with awesome views. Nice and shady and not too hard.
Similar Trail: Matthews/Winters
reviewed by mattics on June 2, 2011
I enjoyed this trail. I'm just getting back in to mountain biking after being stuck in MN & IL for the past couple years. This was a great trail to use to get the lungs back and to start to develop some confidence on the bike. Very cool rollers on the Meadow Trail, nothing too technical. My GF was hiking while I was biking so when I was waiting for her to come back, I blasted down Sleepy S, which was surprisingly fun and then grunted back up Elk Ridge back to Meadow to close the loop. Nice finish to the day.
reviewed by sspragu3 on July 24, 2010
A good area that is easy to get to. The lower half features plenty of wide trail with little in the way of technical sections, perfect for beginners. Going to the top of Bergen peak is another story, with a steady climb and plenty of rocks and water bars.
Similar Trail: 3 sisters
reviewed by sspragu3 on July 7, 2010
Nice trail with plenty of options. Most of the trails are very easy and beginner friendly. There is the choice of going to the top of Bergen Peak, which is much more challenging. Best used for getting a begginers legs under them.
Similar Trail: Green mountain
reviewed by centreline05 on June 1, 2010
Awesome trail, nice easy climb to start out. Followed by challenging climb leading to rocky switchbacks (toughest part of the trail). Once past the switchbacks you're in the clear, primarily downhill but with enough climbs to remind you you're mountain biking. Fun and fast turns follow before one last climb. From there it's about 2 miles of rolling meadow, great speed and a fun finish. A must for anyone in the area. Ride time is a little over an hour so multiple loops are great.
reviewed by mtbgreg1 on November 12, 2009
The sections that we rode of this trail were very wide, almost double-tracky, with a couple of ok climbs and descents. I believe there were some more challenging options, but didn't get the opportunity to ride those because of the people with us. Definitely a good place for beginners to learn, though.
reviewed by AboveTheRidge on August 3, 2009
Rode the Elk Meadow trail on 7/15. Didn't get a chance to ride Bergen Peak, only had limited time before hitting the road. Great trail, great climbs, great views, highly recommend. Can't wait to go back and ride Bergen Peak.
reviewed by COGator00 on July 17, 2009
Fun loop with wide range of technical objects, quick & tight rolling singletrack, and many hikers/trail builders. Many ways to do loops with renegade cutoffs by the end of Meadow View linking with Painters Pause by Buchanan/Bergen Park. Good pace (careful of hikers/runners) great to see trail builders by Elk Ridge maintaining the water bars!
Similar Trail: Lair 'o the Bear, Monument (Mt. Herman), Plymouth Mtn./Creek
reviewed by markp136129 on July 4, 2009
We rode the trail clockwise up to Bergen Peak and had a great ride. We came across many bikers and hikers and all were agreeable and chatty. The further up to Bergen Peak the fewer hikers/bikers we encountered. The ride down has tight switchbacks and rocky sections. We has a pinch flat and some challenging rock bands but there is plenty of room for quick decisions.
Similar Trail: Mt Falcon & Liar the Bear
reviewed by haupt on September 22, 2008
A really fun, quick ride that has enough technical features to keep a good rider interested.
reviewed by GreenWheel on August 7, 2008
We rode this trail as an 11 mile counter clockwise loop. It was quite a hammer fest. There are tight switchbacks and 4-5 moderate technical sections and 2-3 difficult rock techy areas. Of course the downhill is fast and fun with plenty of switchbacks and rocky sections to keep you busy.
Similar Trail: Lair of the Bear, Buffalo Creek, Deer Creek
reviewed by BFD on August 3, 2008
Elk Meadows is a beautiful ride, awesome scenery and well maintained trails. Colorado at it's best.
reviewed by Lagardinere on July 29, 2008
My husband and I just moved here. We are not in "Colorado Shape" and to make matters worse we have cruiser bikes! We had a lot of fun on this trail. It was easy and fast when you come into the meadow section of the loop. It took us about an hour and 15 minutes. We had so much fun that it has inspired us to invest in quality bikes and get into the more challenging rides.
reviewed by lostcause on July 2, 2008
This trail is loosing it’s luster over the last few years they have taken some of the sweet single track and turned it into a pea gravel recreation path hopefully they wont make it wheelchair accessible the whole way around!
reviewed by gregger on June 3, 2008
The 2nd half of Meadow Ridge (counterclockwise) is like a singletrack roller coaster, SO much fun! This is a must-ride park; i have to get back to try out Too Long & Bergen Peak trails next time. Plenty of hikers even on a weekday, so watch your speed.
Similar Trail: alderfer/3 sisters
reviewed by hippiedeb on May 30, 2008
This trail began on Meadow Ridge, which at the beginning is out in the open field. It was a steady easy climb and we were worried that it was going to be boring. Sleepy S was even more out in the open. We turned onto Painter's Pause which led us back to the other side of Meadow Ridge which was just unbelievably fun. More than a handful of cool downhills that turned into switchbacks that went back uphill. Lots of rocks, roots and big rocks for about a mile. Loads of fun! Made the boring beginning well worth it! Need to mention that there were LOTS and LOTS of hikers and dogs for the first 3 miles or so.
reviewed by jkovaly on November 11, 2007
Elk Meadows is really a tale of two rides. The Bergens Peak/Too Long trail up-and-down is a typical front range ride up and down tight, rocky switchbacks. Along the way are several overlooks where the views of the Meadow and of the foothills are fantastic. The shadows begin early so don't start this ride too late in the day. The other ride starts with "Sleepy S" trail and then makes its way through the meadow and back along Meadow View and Elk Ridge trails. This route provides a great ride across Elk Meadow with very little elevation change, you can take Meadow View trail back along the base of the mountains, a thoroughly enjoyable, fast ride that has a few rocky sections and some short uphill/downhill sections, just enough to keep it interesting but far less challenging than the Bergens Peak ride. I did both of these rides in about 2.5hrs.
* Review edited 11/11/2007
reviewed by steve32300 on October 29, 2007
its a climb,and its got rocky technical and water bars.switchbacks.ya just gotta be in the right frame of mind for that stuff and its a awsome feeling to power up that stuff.it was cold the day we went and i had bronchitis a little while ago so my lungs were screaming at me and my somach was too.made for an early exit.what we did climb though was pretty cool stuff to come back down.im definately going back.
* Review edited 10/29/2007
Similar Trail: white ranch
reviewed by teamfreak16 on June 13, 2007
This is a fun area - Elk Meadow is a good place to take a beginner, and Bergen Peak is fairly tough up toward the top. The worst part of this place is the user conflict between hikers and cyclists - try to go during the week if possible, when less crowded. I've heard personal accounts from guys who've been clotheslined by hikers out here, so ride carefully.
Similar Trail: Waterton Canyon
reviewed by arnolda14 on June 5, 2007
The Bergen Peak section of this ride is one of my favorite rides on the front range but I consider that a separate ride since you can start it from another th. The elk meadow loop is nice and sweet and real easy. A lot of people in this park so ride friendly.
* Review edited 6/6/2009
reviewed by Lancefan on December 1, 2006
My freind and I rode this trail to the top of Bergen Peak and then completed the loop. It was one of my favorite trails.
reviewed by jbersch on August 16, 2006
This is a long steady climb with absolutely beautiful scenery and some killer singletrack. Many switchbacks both up and down. They get a bit old but the rest of the ride more than makes up for it. A wide variety of skill levels can appreciate this park. Plenty of technical sections if you choose to climb to the top while smooth, easy sections exist for beginners (Meadow View, Sleepy S). If youíve got the time, go to the top of Bergen Peak. Itís worth it.
Similar Trail: Mt. Falcon
reviewed by yellowdman on July 4, 2006
I've only riddin this trail up to the top of Bergen Peak I've haven't done the Meadow trail loop yet. The trail up to the top of Bergen Peak does have some technical rocky sections and some technical & tight switchbacks but it's a steady not to steep climb to the top and besides the technical rocky parts and switchbacks it's a pretty smooth trail. It takes at least an hour or more to get to the top of Bergen Peak unless your in racing shape but the look out is well worth the climb and so is the downhill. If you can, try doing this trail in the morning because it can get pretty hot and it's not a fun trail to ride when it's hot because your on a steady climb and you can overheat yourself (kind of like Mt. Falcon). If your looking to improve your technical skills then this ride is for you if your looking for an easy ride then don't take the trail to the top of Bergen Peak because like I said it's got some technical rocky sections and some technical switchbacks and it's a steady climb to the top. This place also has some sharp rocks on the trail so I recommend riding over the rocks since my buddy and I both got our sidwalls sliced up going around some rocks. This trail is used by hikers and horse riders too so don't go to fast :). I forgot my camera but I'll bring it with me next time to show off some the the great scenery! Ride On and Have lot's of FUN!
reviewed by wwozman on June 25, 2006
We havne't yet attempted the upper section to Bergen Peak but will later in the season. The meadow trail section is excellent. I would recommend a counter-clockwise loop. There is an up hill that will get you breathing especially if you are not used to altitude and two switchbacks that will stop most riders going up but otherwise everything is ridable by even novice riders. This is a great trail for anyone, coming down is great fun and definitely worth a visit. Oh and watch for Horses and Hikers.
reviewed by lostcause on September 4, 2005
This is one of my favorite training rides I like to use it on an easy day so I usually don't ride to the top of Bergen Peak. I ride the loop arround the meadow about 6 miles. Most of the trails in the meadow are free of snow from about April to November. Insted of parking on Stagecoach I park at the Bergan Park Park And Ride.Take Pioneer Trail past the ball feilds and shopping center, cross under HWY 74 and follow Painters Pause Trail.07 mile to Meadow View Trail turn right and and follow Meadow View Trail 2.8 miles to Sleepy "S" Trail turn left. This section is a fast downhill with many water bars that make good jumps. Lots of air be careful not to get too much speed.Do as I say not as I do! continue on Sleepy "S" Trail up a short hill and somemore downhill with more water bars.Pass the parking lot turn left on Painters Pause Trail follow the trail 1.7 miles back to Pioneer Trail and on to your car. This trail has everything a nice climb some sweet singletrack, switchbacks that are rideable and a fun downhill.The only drawback is there are lots of people.
Similar Trail: Aqueduct Trail in Colorado
reviewed by getonthetrail on July 30, 2005
I was able to ride this with a bro from the east coast who recently moved to Denver while I was in town for a wedding in Breakinridge. We took a left onto Too Long, a 2.4 mile or so climb up the mountain. Once at the top, descend on the Bergen Peak Trail. After 2.7 miles of downhill, you will intersect with the Meadow View Trail. Take a left, and ride for 0.2 miles to the junction with Elk Ridge Trail. From here, you can either take a right and backtrack back to your car, or take a left onto Meadow Trail again. This trail was great, nice techincal rocky uphill areas with some great DH! I had difficulty with the climb but I think it was mostly due to the elevation. There was one section of the uphill that was a must walk but other than that it was pump'n. You'll know the section I'm refering to when u hit it. :)
reviewed by yeti on April 22, 2005
Whoever rated this as an aerobic level of 2 only played down in the meadow! The Bergen Peak section of this park is a real lung and leg burner. On this section, you gain 1730 feet in about 3.7 miles. Your reward for pumping and/or pushing your bike uphill is a great view and a high-speed downhill back. Don't do this section early in the season or you'll just come home with low self esteem- wait until you have built up some stamina!
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