6.9 miles
Distance
1,741 ft
Climb
-1,774 ft
Descent
01:55:58
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of CDT (Elk Mountain) Trail

CDT (Elk Mountain) Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    CDT - Bannock Pass
    Leadore, Idaho
  • AKA
  • Difficulty Rating
    Black Diamond rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    AM, XC
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Season
    July-October
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Global Ranking
    #66342 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    90 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 95 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Land Owner
    Salmon-Challis NF

This is a classic high elevation singletrack section of the Continental Divide Trail. This piece of the CDT crosses over 10,000 feet at Elk Mountain and is the highest point of the Idaho/Montana CDT. Huge views abound for most of its length.

Sections of this trail are steep, although most of it is a challenging but rideable grade. This of course depends on how much you are sucking wind at 10,000 feet. In any case, expect at least a few short sections of hike-a-bike.

The western portion of this trail can be narrow in places as it sidehills. Closer to Elk Mountain the trail is in great shape, with classic high alpine riding.

Riding south from Elk Mountain, the trail drops 1500 feet in about 3 miles before the CDT becomes 2-track again on the CDT (Tepee Mtn-Morrison Lake) section.

Access Info

The best access is from the North via CDT Reroute (Old Tunnel) and CDT Reroute (Whiskey Spring Creek) from Bannock Pass.

Disclaimer

Non-motorized Trail

Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for CDT (Elk Mountain) mountain bike trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -32 ft
  • Altitude min
    8,512 ft
  • Altitude max
    10,097 ft
  • Altitude start
    8,570 ft
  • Altitude end
    8,537 ft
  • Grade
    -0.1%
  • Grade max
    -49.3%
  • Grade min
    48.8%
  • Distance climb
    3 miles
  • Distance down
    3 miles
  • Distance flat
    1,378 ft
  • Avg time
    01:55:58
  • Avg reverse time
    01:56:22
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jul 7, 2023
Ideal
Avg: 4 (1 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
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  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to cdt-elk-mountain trailhead (44.785870, -113.176540)
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      CDT (Elk Mountain) Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jul 7, 2023 @ 10:56pm
      Jul 7, 2023
      		 reporter All clear of deadfall from Deadman Pass to Elk Mountain. Trail is in good shape.
      Jul 24, 2022 @ 10:36pm
      Jul 24, 2022
      		 reporter
      All clear of deadfall from Deadman Pass to Elk Mountain (cleared 2 big-ish trees from previous report).
      Jul 16, 2022 @ 6:58pm
      Jul 16, 2022
      		 2 trees across the trail, both easy to navigate: 1 leaner in the lowest wooded section at the north end; the other on the ridge @9400’ between...
      Jul 20, 2020 @ 8:04am
      Jul 20, 2020
      		 Cleared two big trees. Hella fun riding. (SIMBA-B. Bever)
      Aug 3, 2019 @ 9:31pm
      Aug 3, 2019
      		 reporter Clear of deadfall courtesy of Salmon Back Country Horsemen.
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 3 rides
      • 21 miles avg distance
      All
      • 16 rides
      • Last: Oct 14, 2023

      Technical Trail Features (TTF)

      Photos

      more »
      36 |
      Jul 30, 2019 @ 4:14pm
      Jul 30, 2019
      31 |
      Jul 30, 2019 @ 4:13pm
      Jul 30, 2019
      126 |
      Jan 8, 2017 @ 10:19pm
      Jan 8, 2017
      105 |
      Jan 8, 2017 @ 10:18pm
      Jan 8, 2017

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      The Fun Suffer Divide Full Trip182 miles
      Continental Divide Trail (CDT) Complete2,989 miles
      The Fun Suffer Divide Day 1110 miles

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