The Elk Trail Loop is all single track, alot of it on old road beds and alot of it on well trodden game trail. Very challenging singletrack and a steep and fun downhill. Couple this trail with the views of the mountains and you have the makings of a classic ride.
During Springtime, it is not uncommon to see Deer, Antelope and hundreds of Elk. Wolves have been seen in the area as well, they usually see you first though, so consider yourself lucky if you catch a glimpse.
From the Trailhead head up Wagonhammer Creek about a mile to a stream crossing. From hang a right and start climbing. Follow this old road bed up and up until you get to a saddle on a ridge, here stay on the old road bed and hang a hard left. Continue climbing, the trail then levels out and you come to another saddle and a gate. Cross the gate/fence and to the left near the the fence is a singletrack.
This begins a long sidehill section of trail along a wide open and steep face. After about a mile of this the trail comes to another fence and saddle. Cross the fence and look to the left here for the continuation of the loop (there is an obvious trail to the right...this one dead ends).
Another mile or so of sidehilling and the trail comes to a prominent ridge w/ a carsonite Lewis and Clark sign (yeah, those guys were here before you). Check your brakes, take in the view, and drop straight down the ridge.
At the next Lewis and Clark sign go hard right and keep descending, follow the main trail all the way back down to Wagonhammer Creek and another fence crossing. You just dropped 1000' in just over a mile!!
The trail now parallels the creek, with a couple more fence crossings and creek crossings, all the way back to the trailhead.
If your legs need more, add a Burns Loop by going right at the post in the meadow after the rocky road bed section that follows the descent described above.
Please Close ALL Gates between June 1 and Sept 1.
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