Elbert Creek to Jones Creek

Dogs Unknown

E-Bikes Unknown

Elbert Creek climb, Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail #522 traverse, to Jones Creek descent.

This ride is best done as a two car drop. Parking one at the bottom of Goulding Creek down the highway and the other at the bottom of Elbert Creek. Elbert Creek is a beautiful climb starting off in the aspens. It has technical rock sections to the climb and holds a somewhat steep grade. All very pedalable but will get the heart rate up. Once you get majority of the way up Elbert Creek, you'll hop off at the road intersection and turn left on Elbert Creek Road - FS581 and ride towards Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail #522. Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail #522 will be your traverse trail with a good bit of smaller climbs throughout the loss of elevation heading towards Jones Creek. The last leg of Pinkerton-Flagstaff Trail #522 is the steepest and most technical part with rocks and some smaller drops with decent amount of loose rocks and high speeds. Fun section! Then the Jones Creek descent starts. Trail can be very dry and silty, especially in the burn zone, but gets seriously good when moist. The upper section is through some aspens and is high speed with roots here and there. The middle section is high speed traversing with side walls to play with and little hips. The bottom 1/3 ends up being a mix of roots and rocks and carries good speed for the rest of the way with he occasional flat spot or small uphill punch. Overall, a great ride for the gravity seekers.