Elkchase
- 4.4 mi
- round trip
- 335 ft
- climb
- 9,671 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- Jun–Aug
- best months
Is Elkchase open right now?
No closures listed
The Forest Service lists no closures for Bridger-Teton National Forest.
As of · Source: USFS · Bridger-Teton National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Elkchase is a 4.4-mile out-and-back hike in the Pinedale Ranger District of Bridger-Teton National Forest in Wyoming. It rises about 335 feet from a low point of 9,326 feet to a high of 9,671 feet, and the trail is rated moderate. The Forest Service manages the land, and the Elkhart Park Trailhead, with parking labeled Elkhart - Pole Creek Trailhead, is the trail's start. The route is open from May 1 to October 31. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 72°F and lows near 35°F in July, and the station sits roughly 1,500 feet below the trail, so expect cooler temperatures on the high ground. Winters are cold, with January highs around 26°F. The trail is natural-surfaced and open to horses and bikes. Fremont Peak and Jackson Peak lie just 0.1 mile away, and Trails End Campground is the same distance. Climbers can head to North Buttress, about 0.8 mile off.
Local outfitters
- Yellowstone Trail RV Park12 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · Jun–Aug
Best time to visit Elkchase
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.
Jan
26° / -6°
9 wet
Feb
29° / -4°
9 wet
Mar
36° / 5°
10 wet
Apr
43° / 16°
10 wet
May
54° / 26°
11 wet
Jun
64° / 32°
10 wet
Jul
72° / 35°
8 wet
Aug
71° / 34°
9 wet
Sep
62° / 28°
8 wet
Oct
48° / 19°
8 wet
Nov
35° / 6°
9 wet
Dec
25° / -5°
10 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Darwin Rch, WY, 35.1 mi away at 8,190 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.
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