The Elk Mountain Bike Ride starts up an old mining/forest road that can be decorated with south facing spring flowers in June.
Bikers who want to add a little more vertical to the climb can continue past the main Elk Mountain singletrack turn off and continue climbing to the end of the Sawtooth Overlook at the end of hte road.
Arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata).
Large Douglas fir trees populate the rounded summit of Elk Mountain.
Glimpses of the expansive Elk Meadows can be seen from portions of the Elk Mountain Road.
Once on the singletrack, riders are treated to a rocky and technical descent down to Elk Meadows.
A rider tackles one of the bumpier sections of trail on the Elk Mountain Loop.
Elk Meadow blooms with Mountain Shooting Star (Dodecatheon jeffreyi) in late June.
The riding smooths out considerably below Elk Meadows, so bikers can open up the throttle.
Enjoying the smooth singletrack below Elk Meadows.
About halfway through the ride the trail passes an oxbow meander of Elk Creek.
Dense trees along the northern section of the ride.
The sections between meadows offer fun, smooth riding.
The third large meadow supports a bloom of white mule's ears (Wyethia helianthoides) in late June.
White mule's ears (Wyethia helianthoides).
The trail is well signed at all junctions.
The last few miles join another Forest Service road through a pleasant forest with this scenic view to greet riders at the final turn.