Elliot Ridge Trail
Elliot Ridge Trail is in the northern Gore Range, part of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in the Eagles Nest Wilderness, Summit County. Elliot Ridge Trail is north of Interstate 70, west of Highway 9, north of Silverthorne and near Heeney. The Gore Range peaks provide a sharp line of delineation between Summit and Eagle Counties. The Elliot Ridge Trail slices the spine of the Gore Range and offers expansive views east to the Ptarmigan Wilderness, Summit County, and southwest to the Holy Cross Wilderness, Eagle County. Elliot Ridge Trail begins at Blue Lake, thirty-nine miles north of Silverthorne. Spring Creek Ranch Road, in Grand County, enters the White River National Forest west of Highway 9. From the highway, Elliot Ridge Trail is nearly thirteen miles up undulating gravel roads.
From the Blue Lake trailhead at the north end of Elliot Ridge to the jagged ridge of Meridian Peak, the Elliot Ridge Trail crosses eight miles of rolling tundra. Elliot Ridge Trail meets Mirror Lake Trail at the base of Meridian Peak. Mirror Lake Trail descends to the Gore Range Trail and connects with Tipperary Lake Trail, Eaglesmere Lakes Trail, and Surprise Lake Trail near Cataract Lake Loop Trail. Wildlife in the area includes pika, cougar, mule deer, elk, marmot, coyote, ptarmigan, and gray jay. Wildflowers that bloom in the area include moss campion (Silene acaulis), alpine forget-me-not (Myosotis alpestris), sky pilot (Polemonium viscosum), mountain gentian (Gentiana), and paintbrush (Castilleja). Starting at 11,170 feet in elevation, Elliot Ridge Trail ascends to 12,630 feet at the summit of Meridian Peak. Greatest Hikes in Central Colorado: Summit and Eagle Counties, a hiking guide by Kim Fenske, provides a description of Elliot Ridge Trail.
References
- ASIN B003ZUY8NM, Greatest Hikes in Central Colorado: Summit and Eagle Counties
- Elliot Ridge one of a kind
- Two of three snowmobilers found
External links
- "Elliot Ridge - FDT 1889" (PDF). U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
- "Elliot's Ridge Trail #1889". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 2013-12-22.
Coordinates: 39°50′24″N 106°25′20″W / 39.83987°N 106.42233°W