Elk Falls–Elk Falls Pond, 9 sights
7.8 mi · ▲ 1,352 ft · 3 hr 17 min
Elk Falls–Elk Falls Pond, 9 sights is a 7.8-mile out-and-back in Staunton State Park near Shaffers Crossing, CO. The route passes Elk Falls Pond before reaching Elk Falls at the turnaround, 3.9 miles in. It climbs 1,352 ft, with sections as steep as 23% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 59/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Elk Falls–Elk Falls Pond, 9 sights
7.8 mi · ▲ 1,352 ft · 3 hr 17 min
Elevation 8,477–9,099 ft
Out & Back · Staunton State Park
Trailhead: 39.50573, -105.38330
Weather Sep 4: Overcast, high 79°F / low 57° · precip 12% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:30 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Staunton Ranch Trail, heading W.
- 0.7 miBear left onto Red Wall Climbing Access, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right onto Staunton Ranch Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear left, heading W.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading W.
- 350 ftBear right onto Staunton Rocks Climbing Access, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Staunton Ranch Trailc, heading W.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Alt Line, heading NW.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Trailc, heading NW.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Border Line Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Trail Extension, heading NW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading NW.
- 0.8 miPass Elk Falls Pond.
- 200 ftTurn left onto West Meadows Loop, heading SW.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading SW.
- 250 ftBear right onto Lion's Back Trail, heading S.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Chimney Rock Trail, heading S.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Elk Falls Trail, heading SE.
- 0.2 miReach Elk Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Chimney Rock Trail, heading SE.
- 0.6 miContinue straight onto Lion's Back Trail, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading NW.
- 250 ftContinue straight onto West Meadows Loop, heading NW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading NW.
- 0.9 miContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Trail Extension, heading NE.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Bugling Elk Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Border Line Trail, heading E.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Trailc, heading E.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Alt Line, heading S.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Staunton Ranch Trailc, heading SE.
- 250 ftTurn left onto Staunton Rocks Climbing Access, heading SE.
- 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 250 ftBear right onto Staunton Ranch Trail, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear left onto Red Wall Climbing Access, heading E.
- 50 ftBear right onto Staunton Ranch Trail, heading E.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from this trailhead
- Staunton Ranch Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 200 ft
- Staunton Ranch Trail 1.9 mi · ▲ 190 ft
- Staunton Ranch Trail 2 mi · ▲ 259 ft
- Staunton Ranch Trail 2 mi · ▲ 218 ft
- Old Mill Trail via Staunton Ranch Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 226 ft
- Staunton Ranch Trail 2.1 mi · ▲ 226 ft
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