10 miles
Distance
1,155 ft
Climb
-979 ft
Descent
2,910 ft
High Point

Elk Rim Trail Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Fernie
    , British Columbia
  • Difficulty Rating
    Green rate
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Bike Type
    XC
  • Trail Usage
    Multi-use
  • Direction
    Both Directions
  • Climb Difficulty
    Blue
  • Physical Rating
    Moderate
  • Trail Visibility
    Always easy to follow
  • Family Friendly
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
    No
  • Local Popularity
    40 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 5 in Hiking

This is a 20 kilometer, 400 meters elevation gain/loss loop to the confluence of the Elk River and Kootenay. The trail is in great shape and there is good signage.

This is a very mellow single-track ride around this area. Be aware that dirt bikers (although forbidden) may be seen.

This route is believed to have been used in 1897 by two bicycle riders coming from Kalispell to provide a much-needed communication link between the East Kootenays and the wider world.

A traditional Ktunaxa trail, this trail was first used by Europeans in 1864 to carry supplies to the gold rush at Wildhorse Creek and smuggle gold back to the US to avoid the 25% BC Tax.

Trail was also travelled by David Thompson (1807-1811), Father De Smelt (1850s), Blackiston and John Palliser (1858 ). Lots of history at this location.

NO EBIKES ALLOWED

Access Info

From Fernie, drive towards Cranbrook, turning left onto the 93 heading South for about 15km. You will cross the big bridge over the Elk River, and climb steeply up the highway. After crossing the Elk River Bridge climb 1.2 kilometers to the top of the south bank and turn right onto a dirt road and across a cattle guard. Will see the parking lot and toilet at the trailhead.

Local Trail Association
More Stats for Elk Rim Trail mountain bike trail
  • Altitude change
    176 ft
  • Altitude min
    2,501 ft
  • Altitude start
    2,732 ft
  • Altitude end
    2,907 ft
  • Grade
    0.3%
  • Grade max
    -44.2%
  • Grade min
    38.7%
  • Distance climb
    5 miles
  • Distance down
    4 miles
  • Distance flat
    2 miles
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Jul 4, 2020
Dry
no votes yet

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  • Trail Style 
    • ?
  • Activity Type  
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
Trail Ridden Direction
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The colour categories are based on what percentage of riders are riding a trail in its intended direction.
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  • > 90%
  • > 80%
  • > 70%
  • > 50%
  • < 50%
Trail Last Ridden
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  • < 2 days
  • < 1 week
  • < 2 weeks
  • < 1 month
  • < 6 months
  • > 6 months
Trail Ridden Direction
The intended direction a trail should be ridden.
  • Downhill Only
  • Downhill Primary
  • Both Directions
  • Uphill Primary
  • Uphill Only
  • One Direction
ContributeDetails
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  • Description
  • Photos
  • Description & Photos
  • Videos
Trail Popularity ?
Trailforks scans ridelogs to determine which trails are ridden the most in the last 9 months. Trails are compared with nearby trails in the same city region with a possible 25 colour shades. Think of this as a heatmap, more rides = more kinetic energy = warmer colors.
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ATV/ORV/OHV Filter
Max Vehicle Width
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LEGEND
Trail Difficulties
  • Access Road/Trail
  • White
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Black
  • Double Black Diamond

Trail Report Status
  • Clear / Green
  • Minor Issue / Yellow
  • Significant Issue / Amber
  • Closed

  • Land Owner Overlay
  • Wilderness (typically no bikes in USA)
  • BLM (public)
  • USFS (Wildlife sanctuaries darker than usfs)
  • State land
  • Indigenous
  • Military
Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
  • Map Markers
  • trail Trail Head
  • photo Photo
  • place Directory Listing
  • region Riding Area
  • TTF TTF
  • Parking Parking
  • Viewpoint Viewpoint
  • Information Information
  • Warning Warning
  • Directions Directions
  • Sight Sight
  • Restrooms Restrooms
  • eBike Charging Point eBike Charging Point
  • Water Fountain/Source Water Fountain/Source
  • Gate Gate
  • Trail Sign Trail Sign
  • Table or Bench Table or Bench
  • Ladder Ladder
  • Stairs Stairs
  • Bridge Bridge
  • Camping Camping
  • Cabin Cabin
  • Lodge Lodge
  • Bear Cache Bear Cache
  • Dock Dock
  • Ranger Station Ranger Station
  • Summit Summit
  • Other Other
      Directions to elk-rim-trail trailhead (49.161290, -115.178820)
      update trails status or condition

      Elk Rim Trail Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Jul 4, 2020 @ 6:25pm
      Jul 4, 2020
      		 Mighty fine loop(s)
      Jul 2, 2020 @ 4:12pm
      Jul 2, 2020
      Jun 25, 2020 @ 11:17am
      Jun 25, 2020
      		 Occasional puddles in depressions
      Jun 6, 2020 @ 12:18pm
      Jun 6, 2020
      Jun 5, 2020 @ 9:34am
      Jun 5, 2020
      		 Lake is dirty from high runoff. some spots tough to see trail but trail is flagged so it is still pretty evident where to ride
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 5 rides
      • 12 miles avg distance
      6 Months
      • 21 rides
      • 13 miles avg distance
      All
      • 0 rides
      •  

      Photos

      more »
      61 |
      Jun 4, 2020 @ 4:22pm
      Jun 4, 2020
      57 |
      Jun 4, 2020 @ 4:22pm
      Jun 4, 2020

      Reviews / Comments

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      Use trail reports to comment on trail conditions.


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