Little Elk

23.8 mi

Distance

2,086 ft

Gain

No verdict for this trail

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

Inside Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests
3 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.
Boundary data

What's missing

No access route mapped
We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

Big climb

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

Little Elk

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Elevation & route

Distance: 23.8 mi
Elevation gain: 2,086 ft

More about this trail ↓

Photos

Directions & GPX

Get Directions to Trailhead Parking

Permits & access

Managing agency: Routt NF — Hahns Peak/Bears Ears RD

About this trail

Little Elk is a 12.1-mile loop trail located in Colorado near the Routt National Forest's Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District. The route gains 2,086 feet in elevation throughout the circuit. This loop trail offers a moderate to challenging day hike experience, combining steady climbing with scenic terrain typical of the northern Colorado Rockies. The elevation gain is distributed across the loop, providing varied hiking conditions as you progress around the circuit. The trail is managed by the US Forest Service through the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District, ensuring regular maintenance and adherence to forest service standards. The loop format allows hikers to complete the full experience without backtracking. Little Elk is suitable for hikers with moderate fitness levels who are comfortable with sustained elevation gain over a full day outing. The trail's proximity to Colorado makes it accessible for both local recreationists and regional visitors exploring the Routt National Forest area.