Elk Meadow is an expansive 3-mile-long alpine meadow that is tucked into the northern end of the Sawtooth Wilderness.
The trail is open to a wide variety of uses.
The trail traverses through 2 miles of pleasant, smooth, and flat singletrack before reaching the eastern edge of the meadow.
About halfway to Elk Meadows, the trail passes an oxbow meander of Elk Creek.
The flower displays along the southern edge of the meadow change as the summer progresses. Here is a late June bloom of Mountain shooting star (Dodecatheon jeffreyi).
Later in July the common yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and Rydberg's penstemon (Penstemon rydbergii) come out.
Rydberg's penstemon or another of the many penstemon varieties.
Slender paintbrush (Castilleja gracillima).
The trail traverses the meadow, but it fades quickly. Hikers shoud look for this tall "trail" sign to indicate the way. It is common to feel a little lost in the vast expance of meadow grasses and meandering creeks.
The climb up to Elizabeth Lake is shaded and steep. Unfotunately, the motorcycle traffic on this steep trail has had some damaging effects.
Elizabeth Lake is located below the trail and tucked into an isolated and shady nook. This trail sign indicates where hikers need to descend to the lake.