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Elk Creek Trail

 

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Elk Creek Trail

One of the biggest drawing points of this trail is the unique opportunity to combine a Wilderness trip with a ride on a steam locomotive. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. Elk Creek drains the northern portion of the Grenadier Range, which includes Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks; a mecca for mountaineers. These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping.

Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc.



 The Basics

Location: North of Durango
Setting: Mountainous
Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 17.8 mile roundtrip
Elevation: 4,500 feet
Trailhead Elevation: 8,300 feet
Time to Allow: 10 to 11 hours
Season: Summer - Fall
Visitor Use:
Map: USGS Quad: Storm King


 Directions to Trailhead

1)Via Molas Trail from U.S. Hwy. 550, 42 miles north of Durango, off the top of Molas Pass toward Silverton. Turn east (R) at Molas Lake. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park.

2)By narrow-gauge railroad, to “Elk Park.”

3)Continental Divide Trail






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