27 Oct 2015
Elk Meadows / Elk Mountain
A good mix.
You hike through a good bit of mixed conifer montane forests to a couple of peaks with views. There are a few creek crossings, mountain meadows, spring wildflowers (in the spring), an abandoned lookout tower site, and an old shelter.
There were 8 cars at the trailhead, making this one of the busiest trailheads we’ve been to yet; we only saw 4 parties. We climbed up to the old lookout site at Elk Mountain first to get the elevation gain out of the way, cut through the 2006 Bluegrass Ridge Burn, and then down to the meadows.
Along the way I busted my shin so hard that the skin split and I gave myself a good bruise. I guess we should start bringing that first aid kit we’ve been talking about and maybe a few more of the 10 essentials. After limping into the meadow and taking some photos, we had “dinner” and hiked out in the dark.
- 8.0 mi Distance
- 3 hrs 45 min Moving Time
- 4 hrs 24 min Total Time
- 2.1 mph Moving Speed
- 1.8 mph Avg Speed
- 33:08 min/mi Pace
- 39 min Stopped Time
- 1538 ft Ascent
- 1509 ft Descent
