Colorado · Hiking

Elkhorn

2.7 mi
round trip
106 ft
climb
9,190 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Aug
best months

Is Elkhorn open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District. It doesn't name Elkhorn, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elkhorn is an easy out-and-back hike of about 2.7 miles in Colorado's Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, within the Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District. It is a short, low-elevation trip, with a high point of about 9,190 feet and a low of about 8,997 feet, so the climb is just over 100 feet. The hike is managed by the Forest Service and is open year-round. The trail is also suitable for biking, so riders can bring their wheels along. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Walden weather station, which sits roughly 1,100 feet below the trail, show July highs around 76°F with lows near 38°F, while winter highs there hover in the mid-20s. The Elkhorn North Trailhead is the parking for the trip. Whiskey Creek Trail lies about 1.7 miles away, and the North Fork Little Snake River and Middle Fork Little Snake River are both canoeing options within about 3 miles. For an overnight stay, Hog Park Campground is roughly 6 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Aug

    Best time to visit Elkhorn

    Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      27° / 2°

      8 wet

    2. Feb

      30° / 4°

      8 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 13°

      8 wet

    4. Apr

      47° / 20°

      9 wet

    5. May

      58° / 28°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      69° / 34°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      76° / 38°

      10 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 36°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      66° / 29°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 21°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      38° / 12°

      8 wet

    12. Dec

      28° / 3°

      8 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Walden, CO, 40 mi away at 8,056 ft. The station sits about 1,100 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.