Colorado · Hiking · West Elk Wilderness

Elk Basin

15.0 mi
round trip
1,089 ft
climb
10,419 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Elk Basin open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. It doesn't name Elk Basin, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

As of · Source: USFS · Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elk Basin is a 15-mile out-and-back hike in Colorado's West Elk Wilderness, within the Paonia Ranger District of the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests. The trail climbs from about 9,270 feet to about 10,419 feet, a gain of 1,140 feet, and is rated hard. The route is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The trail is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Crested Butte, which sits about 1,550 feet lower, show July highs around 76°F with lows near 40°F. That station's winter highs hover in the mid-20s, and temperatures on this trail run cooler. The open season runs from June 1 to October 31. The closest neighbors are the Cliff Creek Trail 840, about 0.7 miles away, and Sheep Lake, about 1.3 miles away. Lost Lake Campground is about 7.5 miles off, and the Cliff Creek paddling route is about 3.8 miles away.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.