North Elk Creek

9.0 mi

Distance

697 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 Pike and San Isabel National Forests
National Forest boundary is mapped — agency alerts for it 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

Out & back

Here's your day, mapped

North Elk Creek

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Elevation & route

Distance: 9.0 mi
Elevation gain: 697 ft

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: San Juan NF — Mancos-Dolores RD

About this trail

North Elk Creek is a 9.0-mile out-and-back trail located in Colorado near Mancos, managed by the San Juan National Forest's Mancos-Dolores Ranger District. The trail follows Elk Creek through the San Juan National Forest, offering hikers a riverside route through this southwestern Colorado landscape. This out-and-back format allows hikers to turn around at any point, making it accessible for various fitness levels and time constraints. The creek provides a constant natural feature throughout the hike, offering both scenic value and opportunities to observe riparian ecosystems. The trail's location within the national forest ensures protected forest surroundings typical of the San Juan Mountains region. The 9.0-mile total distance represents the full out-and-back trip. Hikers should plan accordingly for water availability, weather conditions typical of Colorado's high country, and trail conditions that may vary seasonally. As with all San Juan National Forest trails, visitors should check with the Mancos-Dolores Ranger District for current trail conditions and any access restrictions before visiting.