Aaron
September 15th, 2010, 05:21 PM
Elkhorn Mountain Trail is north of Steamboat Springs. It is by all accounts an easy trail but low gear helps on some of the inclines and declines. I assume there is typically some mud to go along with the climbs and descents however it was a pretty dry year so there wasn't much to be had. There are plenty of camping sites, views, and historical places like mines, water troughs, etc. This trail has some tight spots but my relatively wide Jeep made it through without any issues. The aspens on this trail are absolutely huge.
Directions: Get to Steamboat Springs however you want too. Head North on 129 till the road turns dirt and you hit a Y. Take the left fork of the Y which puts you on 550. Continue down 550 till you see trail 508 on the left. This is the start of the trail. At the end of the trail, if you are not careful, you will merge back onto 129 and head north up to Wyoming. What you actually want to do is make a hard right up the hill to head south on 129 and you will end up back at the original Y that you started on. Keep heading south on 129 to head back to Steamboat.
Alternate Trails: Ellis Jeep Trail. From 129, take the split down 550. On the right will be a sign for getting on Rt 500 which is the Ellis Jeep Trail.
Pictures:
Great Air Down location about 100 yards down 550.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14796&stc=1&d=1284420709
Equipment at the old mine
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14801&stc=1&d=1284420929
Heading into the ferns and Aspen...
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14802&stc=1&d=1284420991
Some of the views
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14803&stc=1&d=1284420991
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14805&stc=1&d=1284421083
Pretty darn close to the end of the trail.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14806&stc=1&d=1284421198
Directions: Get to Steamboat Springs however you want too. Head North on 129 till the road turns dirt and you hit a Y. Take the left fork of the Y which puts you on 550. Continue down 550 till you see trail 508 on the left. This is the start of the trail. At the end of the trail, if you are not careful, you will merge back onto 129 and head north up to Wyoming. What you actually want to do is make a hard right up the hill to head south on 129 and you will end up back at the original Y that you started on. Keep heading south on 129 to head back to Steamboat.
Alternate Trails: Ellis Jeep Trail. From 129, take the split down 550. On the right will be a sign for getting on Rt 500 which is the Ellis Jeep Trail.
Pictures:
Great Air Down location about 100 yards down 550.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14796&stc=1&d=1284420709
Equipment at the old mine
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14801&stc=1&d=1284420929
Heading into the ferns and Aspen...
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14802&stc=1&d=1284420991
Some of the views
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14803&stc=1&d=1284420991
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14805&stc=1&d=1284421083
Pretty darn close to the end of the trail.
http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14806&stc=1&d=1284421198