7.5 miles
Distance
-2,955 ft
Descent
01:11:10
Avg time
Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Two Elk Trail

Two Elk Details

  • Activities
    • Mountain Bike
    • Horse
    • Hike
    • Trail Running
  • Riding Area
    Vail Pass
    Vail, Colorado
  • Difficulty Rating
  • Voted Difficulty
    Black Diamond (1 vote)
  • Trail Type
    Singletrack
  • Direction
    Downhill Primary
    Popular direction shown
  • Climb Difficulty
    Black Diamond
  • Physical Rating
    Hard
  • Dogs Allowed
    Yes
  • eBike Allowed
  • Global Ranking
    #49154 in Mountain Biking
  • Local Popularity
    80 in Mountain Biking [+]
    • 5 in Trail Running
    • 55 in Hiking
    • 5 in Horseback
  • Land Owner

Typically referred to separately as Two Elk and Two Elk East, with the division at Two Elk Pass sign and the Bowman's Shortcut intersection. Two Elk via Bowman's is one of the areas best longer rides, shuttled by many via Shrine Pass Rd our of Red Cliff. Other good options to ride are up Mill Creek Rd from Vail, or ride the Vail Gondola for a boost, and acess via Grand Traverse Trail and mountain roads up past Chair 21 and the Poma. Ride goes through Vail's Back Bowls, and becomes moderately technical with rock gardens and hidden pedal strikers on Two Elk Creek past Chair 5. Drops you at the gun range in Minturn.

Disclaimer

This trail is subject to a USFS seasonal wildlife closure from 5/6 - 6/30 to protect deer and elk during calving season

Local Trail Association
Traditionally Indigenous Territory
More Stats for Two Elk multi-use trail trail
  • Altitude change
    -2,957 ft
  • Altitude min
    8,029 ft
  • Altitude max
    10,986 ft
  • Altitude start
    10,986 ft
  • Altitude end
    8,028 ft
  • Grade
    -7.5%
  • Grade max
    -37.3%
  • Grade min
    -0.4%
  • Distance down
    7 miles
  • Distance flat
    131 ft
  • Avg time
    01:11:10
  • Avg reverse time
    03:03:46
  • view trail stats
Status:
on Sep 26, 2024
Dry
Avg: 3.88 (12 votes)
Your vote: 0

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Trail Conditions
  • Unknown
  • Snow Groomed
  • Snow Packed
  • Snow Covered
  • Snow Cover Partial
  • Freeze/thaw Cycle
  • Icy
  • Prevalent Mud
  • Wet
  • Variable
  • Ideal
  • Dry
  • Very Dry
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      Directions to two-elk trailhead (39.591320, -106.293080)
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      Two Elk Trail Reports

      statusdatedescription
      Sep 26, 2024 @ 11:29am
      Sep 26, 2024
      reporter Two down trees across tread. 6-8inch diameter
      Sep 12, 2024 @ 11:28am
      Sep 12, 2024
      reporter Drain needs to be cleared
      Sep 11, 2024 @ 12:19pm
      Sep 11, 2024
      reporter Slough needs to be removed from Backslope. Critical edge is on steep drop so need to widen tread
      Sep 10, 2024 @ 9:27am
      Sep 10, 2024
      reporter Slough needs to be removed from backslope on 10ft section. Steep drop on critical edge and tread is narrow. ESP for bikers
      Sep 10, 2024 @ 9:06am
      Sep 10, 2024
      reporter Slough needs to be removed from backslope on 10ft section. Steep drop on critical edge and tread is narrow. ESP for bikers
      view all reports »

      Recent Ridelog Activity on Trail

      Past Week
      • 0 rides
      •  
      6 Months
      • 3 rides
      • 67 miles avg distance
      All
      • 40 rides
      • Last: Oct 6, 2024

      Photos

      more »
      69 |
      Sep 4, 2023 @ 9:05pm
      Sep 4, 2023
      61 |
      Sep 4, 2023 @ 9:05pm
      Sep 4, 2023
      63 |
      Sep 4, 2023 @ 9:05pm
      Sep 4, 2023
      72 |
      Sep 4, 2023 @ 9:05pm
      Sep 4, 2023

      Trail Lists

      Routes with this trail

      titledistance
      Two Elk via Cougar Ridge and Grand Traverse Loop23 miles

      15 Reviews & Comments


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      Videos

      more »
      youtuber The ultimate Colorado MTB road trip kickoff |...
      14:17 | 507 | Dec 22, 2020 , Vail
      youtuber Two Elk (West) - Finally Riding in Colorado...
      27:59 | 120 | Aug 25, 2023 , Vail
      Bowmans- two elk- grand traverse
      5:01 | 79 | Aug 5, 2023 , Vail
      Mountain Biking Vail's Back Bowls - Two Elk |...
      6:01 | 590 | Jun 4, 2020 , Vail
      • By toddTF Pro Trailforks & contributors
      • #14156 - 9,220 views

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