Elkhorn

Elkhorn is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Medicine Wheel Ranger District of Bighorn National Forest in Wyoming, about 2 miles long with a total elevation gain of about 1,500 feet. The trail starts near 9,065 feet and reaches a high point of about 9,068 feet, making it a short, steep climb before the return. The route is rated moderate, and the steepest stretch lies about 0.4 miles in, where the grade reaches 41 percent. The trail surface is natural, and both horses and bikes are allowed, so the hike works for riders and pack animals as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Burgess Junction weather station put July highs around 71°F and lows near 42°F, while temperatures on the trail run a bit cooler than that station's figures because the trail sits higher. The hike is open year-round, and the estimated time for the round trip is about 1.5 hours. Cottonwood Creek is about 1.4 miles away, and Grouse Creek and Sunlight Cutoff are both within about 4 miles. Climbers can head to Highway 14a Pinnacles, roughly 7 miles off.