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Little Elk Creek Trail

Difficult Difficult
 4.0 (4)
  1. Areas
  2. ID
  3. …Eastern Idaho
  4. …Targhee National Forest
  5. Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek
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“This is a very demanding trail and is only for the experienced runner. ”

James Park
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Map Key

4.0

Miles

6.4

KM

63%

Runnable

9,144' 2,787 m

High

5,973' 1,820 m

Low

3,171' 967 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

52%

Max Grade (27°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Birding · River/Creek · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

No official closures, but spring runoff can make the trail unable to be passed as you cross the creek multiple times at the beginning of the trail and at one point essentially work your way up the creek bed.

Runner Notes

There is a lot of loose rocks that at many times is covered up by the underbrush that is encroaching over the trail.

Description

This trail is 99.9% uphill all the way in, so there really isn't a nice break in the type of running you are doing. It's either all uphill on the way out and all downhill on the way back to the trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

We saw lots of different types of birds, a moose, and saw tracks for what looked like a bobcat (but we could be mistaken on that).

Contacts

Local Club: Idaho Falls Trail Runners (IFTR)

Land Manager: USFS - Caribou & Targhee National Forests Office

Shared By:

James Park
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 4 votes

#8

in Palisades Creek Canyon and Big Elk Creek

#11942

Overall
  4.0 from 4 votes
5 Star
25%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
25%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#8

in Palisades Creek Canyon…

#502

in Idaho

#11,942

Overall
3 Views Last Month
1,103 Since Oct 20, 2016
Difficult Difficult
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Photos

Looking down into Waterfall Canyon as you head down the switchbacks to connect to Austin Canyon
Aug 18, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
At the top of the ridge, this is looking toward Palisade Waterfall and Upper Palisade Lake (just around the turn in the canyon).
Jul 1, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
Waterfall Canyon to the North before dropping down heading towards Austin Canyon.
Jul 30, 2021 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
The approach to Mt. Baird traverses rugged terrain.
Jul 1, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
There's a nice flat spot to camp just downhill of the ridge looking toward Sheep Creek Peak.
Jul 1, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )
This is a look at the east side of Sheep Creek Peak.
Jul 1, 2017 near Irwin, Not set (ID )

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Jul 14, 2018
Jeff Fullmer

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