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Minturn · Trail of the Week, August 18, 2026Two Elk Trail
Two Elk is one of Vail's most iconic and most demanding rides, giving up roughly 2,500 feet over 11.8 miles with several moderate climbs mixed in. The route traverses the Back Bowls, passing technical sections near Chair 5 and running alongside Two Elk Creek before finishing at the Minturn Gun Range. Expect rugged granite rock fields, exposure, hidden pedal strikers and features that reward experienced riders. Hikers are better off treating it as a relaxed out-and-back from Minturn than a full traverse.
Distance
11.8 mi
Elevation
2,500 ft gain
Time
4 hr
Difficulty
Advanced
Highlights
- Traverse of Vail's Back Bowls
- Technical granite rock fields
- Two Elk Creek corridor
- Multiple shuttle options via Shrine Pass, Mill Creek or the gondola
Trailhead & parking
Minturn Gun Range Trailhead
Shuttle it: leave a car at the Minturn Gun Range at the bottom, use the Vail Village structures, or start from Shrine Pass Road / Bowman's Shortcut up top.
Directions- Season & conditions
- Open roughly early July through early October; closed May 6 to June 30 to protect winter and elk birthing habitat.
- About this data
- Distance, difficulty, elevation, season and access are from the article. Coordinates approximate the Minturn Gun Range access.