MTB Project Logo

A huge adventure across the mountains making up the back side of Vail.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

10.0

Miles

16.0

KM

Singletrack

10,921' 3,329 m

High

8,031' 2,448 m

Low

1,825' 556 m

Up

2,927' 892 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

28%

Max Grade (15°)

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Trail is subject to a USFS seasonal wildlife closure from 5/15 - 6/30 to protect deer and elk during calving season

Description

The trail is very steep and much harder on the east end (from I-70 up to Two Elk Pass). It is mostly unridable until you get to the pass - you've been warned! The western portion (starting at the pass) is considerably easier.

Many loops and epic rides are possible, though most require a shuttle.

From the east trailhead, follow the Old Vail Pass road, now the Vail Pass Recreation Path, 1.8 miles to the junction with the true Two Elk Trailhead on the right. The trail drops from the recreation path to a bridge crossing the Black Gore Creek, then passes under I-70 into the tight Timber Creek canyon which is a cool shady forest alongside the creek. At mile 2.6 the trail makes a sharp right across a third bridge before starting the steepest climb.

From Two Elk Pass, a bunch of trails diverge. Don't worry too much as long as you're on one that is going downhill to the west, under the Mongolia bowls of Vail ski area. Other trails make some other good rides... but that's for another day.

There is evidence of an older version of the Two Elk trail that goes is deeply rutted and goes straight down the drainage. The new trail is now very smooth, easy, well built, and winds around the open meadow.

Continue down, passing the bottom of ski lifts. You'll cross a few roads, but never stay on one for more than 100' or so, and you'll find the singletrack again. You might have to look around in a few places, but it's all there.

Once you leave the ski area behind you, the forest gets thicker and the trail rockier. It follows Two Elk Creek for several more miles of moderate to difficult (due to rocks) until eventually popping out at the valley floor.

You'll be at the end of Cemetary Rd (and a shooting range, which is a little disconcerting after so many miles of backcountry riding). Follow the road for a mile or two into Minturn.

Contacts

Shared By:

Nick Wilder with improvements by Sam Chipkin

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 41 votes

#4

in Vail Resort

#309

Overall
  4.2 from 41 votes
5 Star
56%
4 Star
24%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
7%
1 Star
2%
Trail Rankings

#4

in Vail Resort

#109

in Colorado

#309

Overall
9 Views Last Month
24,604 Since Oct 10, 2012
Difficult Difficult

0%
3%
3%
16%
74%
3%

Photos

Riding the iconic Two Elk East Trail in Vail, Colorado with fellow Yeti ambassadors Tom Sampson and Sarah Rawley. #FollowCamFriday
Dec 6, 2016 near Vail, CO
Biking through Vail's Back Bowls
Jan 16, 2020 near Minturn, CO
Big skies and wild flowers abound in outer Mongolia Bowl.
Jul 14, 2015 near Minturn, CO
Thomas zig'n and zag'n through vail resorts outer Mongolian Bowl
Sep 19, 2013 near Minturn, CO
Still climbing.
Aug 24, 2015 near Minturn, CO
The upper part of the Two Elk trail is gorgeous and really easy.  It gets more technical as you get closer to Minturn.
Nov 16, 2012 near Vail, CO
loading

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.