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Elk Meadow & Bergen Peak Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 3.9 (98)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Evergreen
  5. Elk Meadow Park
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“A ride leading to the top of Bergen Peak with a loop that uses the best trails for the way down. ”

Marcel S
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Map Key

10.7

Miles

17.2

KM

95%

Singletrack

9,660' 2,944 m

High

7,595' 2,315 m

Low

2,088' 637 m

Up

2,087' 636 m

Down

7%

Avg Grade (4°)

27%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Allowed

Overview

This ride is around 11 miles total with just over 2000ft of uphill and fun downhill.

This is one of the best routes to get to the top of Bergen Peak and back, using the most fun & technical sections of trail to get to the top and the longest way down. This route avoids the easier and wide Founders and Painters Pause trails, and instead uses better singletrack for the last section.

It's best to ride this area during the week as Elk Meadow gets very busy during the weekend when the weather is nice, or start early to avoid crowds, especially on the downhills.

This ride is for people that like technical trail with rocks, roots, waterbars, etc.
It gets pretty icy after snow gets packed down in the winter, best in the Spring and Fall. A good full suspension mountain bike with a dropper seat-post is nice to have for this more technical ride.

Need to Know

The last section to the top of Bergen Peak is out and back.

There are quite a few blind turns on the way down, be aware of other users that you might encounter.

Description

There are 2 official parking lots at Elk Meadow, park in the lower lot to finish with a downhill.

Ride up the Sleepy "S" Trail all the way up. Turn right at the T junction, onto the Meadow View Trail. (left goes to the upper parking lot). Then, turn sharp left onto the Bergen Peak Trail, this is where the ride becomes much harder. It's like a puzzle of technical features, one after the other while climbing; rocks, roots, waterbar turns, etc. There will be failed attempts to clear some of these, some dismounts and walking, etc.

This section continues all the way to a T junction, where a left turn is the out & back to the top of Bergen Peak. Take a left and go to the top - there is more technical stuff up there but it's worth it. There are a few aspen groves, which look great during the fall season, and good views at the top. Take a break and enjoy the moment.

Commence with the best part of this ride: an almost continuous downhill all the way back to the parking lot. There are only a few short uphill sections and lots of technical downhill. This is where a dropper seat-post comes in really handy. Again, this technical trail, not for everyone.

Start back down the 'out & back' portion of the Bergen Peak trail, but take a left (almost straight) onto Too Long trail. After a short rise, there will be a long downhill section with lots of fun features that will last for miles. This will finally meet up again with the Meadow Trail, turn right (a left turn leads to the easy/wide way back to the parking lot - not as good). There will be some short uphill sections on the Meadow Trail.

At the next intersection, turn left onto the Elk Ridge Trail. This short section is fun on the way down with rocks & waterbars to hop off. This leads back to the Sleep "S" trail. Turn left to coast back to the parking lot.

Contacts

Local Club: Colorado Mountain Bike Association

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

Shared By:

Marcel S
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  3.9 from 98 votes

#1

in Elk Meadow Park

#214

Overall
  3.9 from 98 votes
5 Star
32%
4 Star
43%
3 Star
12%
2 Star
9%
1 Star
4%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Elk Meadow Park

#67

in Colorado

#214

Overall
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18,158 Since Oct 6, 2014
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Photos

A tour of Elk Meadows including Bergen Peak, Too Long and other trails
Aug 7, 2018 near Kittredge, CO
This is a quick fun technical down hill.
Feb 25, 2021 near Kittredge, CO
Main descent from top of Bergen Peak using Too Long.
Aug 4, 2018 near Kittredge, CO
Full descent down Elk Ridge with no uphill hikers or riders to get in the way!
Jul 26, 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

3 Comments

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Current Trail Conditions

Bad / Closed 32 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 11, 2024
Reed Greisen
May 27, 2023
Skylar Vallin
Oct 8, 2022
Ryan MD
Counterclockwise. Tough climb, fun descent. 180 degree switchbacks kind of annoying. Clockwise climb may be easier, but not sure on the descent.
Oct 5, 2022
Brian K
2h 15m
Jul 2, 2022
Nicholas Feliciano
Hard climb lots of rocks and a good descend
Jun 25, 2022
Tim Tonk
May 1, 2022
Will Seamans
10.7mi
Nov 10, 2021
Snoop Fox

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