Elk Meadow: Lower Lot
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Difficulty Rating (1-5 scale, 5 being the most difficult)
Physical: 2.5 (using lower trails; 4 if climbing the Too Long or Bergen trails)
Technical: 2.5
Navigational: 3
Elk Meadow takes us up to Evergreen, where the cooler temperatures make for a nice summer run. It's also one of the easier trails DTR uses with a rolling trail that winds around the meadow and through the trees, and not that rocky. DTR stays on the lower trails on Thursday evenings. For longer and more challenging runs, the Too Long and Bergen trails are nice, long climbs.
Weather and Seasons
Elk can be a good run year round. The Meadow trail through the trees holds snow, but because it's not steep, it's still fairly run-able when it's a bit icy. It does get used and packed down through the winter, and is a blast to run with fresh snow. True to its name, there can be hundreds of elk grazing in the meadow at times.
Driving Directions
Take I70 to exit 252, Evergreen Parkway/CO74. Take Evergreen Parkway 5mi to the lower lot. You'll see the meadow on the right as you're coming down a long hill. At the light at the bottom of the hill, Lewis Ridge Rd., turn right (it's Bergen Peak Dr. to the right), then right again into the lot. http://g.co/maps/v98v6
Alternate start at Buchanan Park Recreation Center: http://g.co/maps/zjf2p
On Thursday nights, DTR has different routes at each run. The different routes are designed so that we can accommodate runners of different speeds and still start/finish at about the same time. See more info on choosing the appropriate route for you.
Physical: 2.5 (using lower trails; 4 if climbing the Too Long or Bergen trails)
Technical: 2.5
Navigational: 3
Elk Meadow takes us up to Evergreen, where the cooler temperatures make for a nice summer run. It's also one of the easier trails DTR uses with a rolling trail that winds around the meadow and through the trees, and not that rocky. DTR stays on the lower trails on Thursday evenings. For longer and more challenging runs, the Too Long and Bergen trails are nice, long climbs.
Weather and Seasons
Elk can be a good run year round. The Meadow trail through the trees holds snow, but because it's not steep, it's still fairly run-able when it's a bit icy. It does get used and packed down through the winter, and is a blast to run with fresh snow. True to its name, there can be hundreds of elk grazing in the meadow at times.
Driving Directions
Take I70 to exit 252, Evergreen Parkway/CO74. Take Evergreen Parkway 5mi to the lower lot. You'll see the meadow on the right as you're coming down a long hill. At the light at the bottom of the hill, Lewis Ridge Rd., turn right (it's Bergen Peak Dr. to the right), then right again into the lot. http://g.co/maps/v98v6
Alternate start at Buchanan Park Recreation Center: http://g.co/maps/zjf2p
On Thursday nights, DTR has different routes at each run. The different routes are designed so that we can accommodate runners of different speeds and still start/finish at about the same time. See more info on choosing the appropriate route for you.