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Elk Meadow/Bergen Peak Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 3.7 (67)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Evergreen
  5. Elk Meadow Park
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“A loop around Elk Meadow Park with great climbs, downhill, and views. ”

Michael Lloyd
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Map Key

8.4

Miles

13.5

KM

90%

Singletrack

9,221' 2,811 m

High

7,560' 2,304 m

Low

1,694' 516 m

Up

1,695' 517 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

This loop begins climbing gradually on well maintained, fairly smooth trails and then goes into a sustained climb through the forest with several technical, rocky sections. Then it goes into a fast downhill with more rocky sections and several tight switchbacks. Once out of the forest, it is a fast, flowing trail through the meadow and back to the trailhead.

Need to Know

Elk Meadow Park has two parking lots. Park at the lower one so you'll not have to end the ride on a climb back to your car.

Description

Head out from the parking lot and take a left onto Sleepy "S" Trail. This trail is wide and well maintained with a few roots as it winds through ponderosa pines and provides great views of the meadow. This trail leads to Meadow View Trail where you'll take a right.

Note: When headed up Sleepy "S" Trail towards Meadow View Trail there is a cutoff, Elk Ridge Trail. That trail is a much more technical climb so I would not advise taking it though it appears shorter on a map.

Once at Meadow View Trail, it is a quick, gradually graded ride to the turnoff for Bergen Peak Trail. Bergen Peak Trail is a sustained climb with several technical sections containing large rocks. The trail has great tree cover, so most of the climb will at least be shaded.

Once at the top of the loop, there will be a turnoff where Bergen Peak Trail continues up to the actual peak. This section is not very bike accessible but there are great views, so if you are up for a hike and bike, go for it. Otherwise, the fun downhill begins with the Too Long Trail.

Too Long Trail has many switchbacks with fast flowing sections between them. There are more technical sections on the way down with big rocks (though peculiarly a different, more crumbly rock than on Bergen Peak Trail).

Too Long Trail dumps out onto Meadow View Trail where you'll want to take a left. Meadow View Trail quickly exits the forest and rides along the edge of the meadow with a fast and flowing track that contains some fun bumps and berms.

.4 miles down the trail, there will be a sharp turnoff to the right onto Founders Trail which is a short connecting trail to Painter's Pause Trail. Be careful with your speed turning onto Painter's Pause because it is a graveled path that can occasionally have a suddenly loose spot and you don't want to slide out. Painter's Pause takes you back to the parking lot with just a short turn back onto Sleepy "S" Trail.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

Land Manager: Jefferson County, CO - Open Space Dept.

Shared By:

Michael Lloyd
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 67 votes

#2

in Elk Meadow Park

#313

Overall
  3.7 from 67 votes
5 Star
18%
4 Star
46%
3 Star
30%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
3%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Elk Meadow Park

#97

in Colorado

#313

Overall
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32,582 Since Jul 28, 2013
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Photos

A tour of Elk Meadows including Bergen Peak, Too Long and other trails
Aug 7, 2018 near Kittredge, CO
Main descent from top of Bergen Peak using Too Long.
Aug 4, 2018 near Kittredge, CO
Fall = good color on the Too Long Trail
Oct 6, 2014 near Kittredge, CO
Descending from the summit
Dec 1, 2017 near Kittredge, CO
A view of Elk Meadow.
Aug 29, 2016 near Kittredge, CO
Technical Rock Feature on Too Long trail. Its easier to ride the big slap rather than to cut the gap.
Jul 8, 2017 near Kittredge, CO

4 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 36 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 1, 2023
Christian Grimes
8.3mi — 1h 46m
Jul 18, 2021
Jim Turner
May 1, 2021
Mike Carver
Dec 24, 2020
Private User
Oct 8, 2020
Jared Trouillot
Fun and challenging. Those fucking switch backs! Was able to get a few technical sections. 8.1mi — 1h 28m
Jul 7, 2020
Jared Trouillot
Classic. 5 touches 8.6mi — 1h 27m
Jul 5, 2020
Mike Palamara
8mi — 1h 30m
Jun 17, 2020
Elizabeth Jones

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