Elk Calf Mtn

Elk Calf Mtn is a mountain biking route in Montana's Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, within the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route starts at about 5,536 feet, climbing to a high point of 6,074 feet over roughly 6.9 miles. The total elevation gain is 1,262 feet, and the route also descends about 1,537 feet, so it works as a loop or a longer out-and-back. The steepest stretch comes at about 3.6 miles, where the grade reaches 22 percent. That makes the climb a challenge in its own right, and the route's length and drop mean riders should plan for a full day on the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at E Glacier, about 11 miles away, show July and August highs around 74°F with lows in the mid-40s. That station sits roughly 1,268 feet lower than the route's high point, so temperatures on the mountain run cooler. Calf Mountain lies just 0.7 miles away, and the High Water 101.1B and 101.1C routes are each about 1.1 miles off. For an overnight stay, Summit Campground is about 4.4 miles away.