Elk Mountain Trail

Have you taken a great hike or want to? Post a note here about the various trails and hikes in the park.

Moderators: teapot57, Tara

Post Reply
llholmes1948
Donator
Donator
Posts: 5221
Joined: Sun May 20, 2007 8:48 pm
Please add the numbers(11): 0
Location: Maine
Has thanked: 37 times
Been thanked: 47 times

Elk Mountain Trail

Post by llholmes1948 »

Here is a link to a brief article in the Hungry Horse News on the Elk Mountain Trail. It doesn't get much attention probably because it is a steep uphill trail like the Mount Brown lookout trail. I understand that the views from the top are great.

I recall exploring a bit around the start of the trail in 1970 and at that time I don't think the trail was marked until you crossed the Park boundary on the north side of the railroad. I don't recall that there was any parking area for the trail either. However I understood that in recent years the parking area for the trail and the trailhead (both of which I believe were on private property south of the railroad) were now better marked. This article indicates that I am wrong.

The Ranch near the trailhead in 1970 had a sign saying that "Trespassers will be shot on sight." Maybe they have put it back.

Lyman

https://hungryhorsenews.com/news/2020/j ... om-the-10/
PeteE
Posts: 3346
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:20 pm
Gender?: Male
Please add the numbers(11): 11
Location: Winter hHaven Florida
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Elk Mountain Trail

Post by PeteE »

The Elk Mountain trail is very tough in my opinion.
Sunday AM EDIT ADD: Or maybe I am just an old wimp. 8)
I did make it to the summit though!! :arrow:

More on that over on my Photographs thread tomorrow.
The literature and Chris Peterson's piece are right on target with their evaluation.
That 2.5 miles uphill is a real BUGGER of a hike. :shock:
I'm kind of tired.
later
pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
wnysteve
Donator
Donator
Posts: 314
Joined: Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:22 am
Gender?: Male
Please add the numbers(11): 11
Location: Clarence, NY

Re: Elk Mountain Trail

Post by wnysteve »

Pete, that's an accomplishment! I think that Elk Mountain is harder than the trail to Brown Mountain Lookout. The Brown Mountain trail at least gives you a number of timely switchbacks to moderate the climb; not so with Elk Mountain. And I think you already knew it was going to be dry. Well done.
PeteE
Posts: 3346
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 12:20 pm
Gender?: Male
Please add the numbers(11): 11
Location: Winter hHaven Florida
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 1 time
Contact:

Re: Elk Mountain Trail

Post by PeteE »

Thanks Steve! :)
Yeah, I think I agree about the comparison to Mt Brown since I've now done both.
The lack of switchbacks on Elk Mt. make it just a RELENTLESS GRIND, both going up and especially coming down.
My legs were like "rubber" when I finally got down! LOL!

I did find 2 small streams(at about 6000 and 6200ft in elev) that were good for filtering water.
The one at 6000ft was where the trail switchbacks around a deep gully, BUT...
Later in the year it looks like they may dry up. Very little moss growing on the rocks.
Year round streams almost always have a lot of green moss in them in my experience.

Tell Sallye HI! I miss you two.

pete :wink:
"If you are not curious, you will learn nothing" -Goethe-

"When you're born in this world, you're given a ticket to the freak show.
And when you're born in America, you're given a front row seat."

George Carlin
Post Reply

Return to “Hiking”