Elk Meadows
Location
2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439
If I followed the directions I googled I would have missed the trail-head. There are two trail-heads. The first trail-head with great horse trailer parking is Elk Meadow Lewis Ridge Trailhead, 2855 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439. My google directions by default take me to the second trail-head: Elk Meadow Stagecoach Trailhead, 32281 Stagecoach Boulevard Evergreen, CO 80439. The trailer parking I describe is at the Lewis Ridge Trailhead. The Stagecoach Trailhead looks a lot smaller and I am not sure if horse trailers would fit.
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free
Trailer Parking
As you drive in, go past the car parking and around the turn to the left. There is "oversized" parking but you have to park parallel one behind the other. This is ok but I had to reverse my rig to get enough room to move around the trailer in front of me. If you are the first trailer there I would pull all the way to the left to the end of the parking lot so other trailers can easily park behind you. My tack room is on the right so Sam was awkwardly standing in front of the cars as they exited the parking lot. If I was worried I could have tied him on the left side and carried my tack to him. There are also some hitching posts on the grass to tie to.
Water |
Footing |
No water, bring some for you and your horse.
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Shoes recommended for the rocky uphill climb on Elk Ridge Trail. Not terribly rocky but rocky in places. Better than Doudy Draw or Flatirons Vista.
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Horse Hazards
Bikers tend to go pretty fast downhill after the steep climb. A few went around us and we tried to get off the trail to let a few pass. It is still pretty amazing that most of the general public does not realize that the bikers and hikers should be yielding to horses. There are also some stand alone wooden fences to keep visitors off trails that are closed or regrowing and large signs.
Chosen Trail
Starting out of the Lewis Ridge Trail-head we headed across a meadow and up into the mountains via the "Sleepy S" trail which hooked up to the "Elk Ridge" Trail. The "Elk Ridge" Trail was fairly steep uphill and rocky at parts. My very fit Morgan was breathing pretty hard when we got to the top but there was some shade to rest in. We turned right to continue on the "Meadow View" trail. There was one rocky part where your horse had to place their hooves carefully going over a step of solid rock. Our horses did great. The trail does open up to a view of a beautiful meadow before it descends. We passed the "Too Long Trail" and Sharron, my companion, reports that the "Too Long" trail is extremely steep and rocky and should be avoided on horseback. We headed back via the "Founder's Trail" and "Painters Pause" which was a nice double-track. It could have been possible to trot the last leg but we walked as our horses already knew we were headed back to the trailers. Overall we rode 3.6 miles in about a little over an hour. My Morgan is a very fast walker and Sharron was on a gaited horse so the typical quarter horse may need a little longer to do the uphill portion of the trail.
We started out on Sleepy S Trail which is the fork to the left by the bench.
The trail was wide and mostly free of rocks.
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There were some stand alone fences and signs that may be spooky to your horse. Once again, my problem was Sam dive-bombing for grass.
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We took the right fork to join Elk Ridge Trail. From here the trail gets steep and rocky. It is not terrible and quite pretty as you go up the ridge.
The path to the left goes to an overlook. You are not yet at the top and there are more rocks on the steep path ahead.
Here is the fork for Meadow View Trail. We stayed right to continue on Meadow View. The rocks are a little better and you start winding through the forest.
The Meadow View trail is the best link of this trail. Pretty views, winding trail through the trees and just enough rocks and switchbacks to make it interesting.
We continued on the Meadow View Trail.
You pass another bench on the right and a sign and temporary fence.
And we join up with Sleepy S to the top right. Tempting to trot up this hill but we just walked.
Trail Experience
I love this trail! It is not easy but it is moderately difficult, interesting, a good work out and very beautiful. Sam and I met a few hikers and got some treats. None of the bikers scared Sam and he is pretty good about bikers coming up behind him. You can also make this trail longer by taking some small loops that connect with the main loop I describe.
Rating
Moderately Difficult. This is a beautiful trail without a lot of hazards. I would not call it easy due to the rocky climb up Elk Ridge Trail and the popularity with bikers. As long as your horse can do the first steep climb the rest is easy and shaded as you go through the forest. I highly recommend shoes or boots.