Elk Lake Trail Head Winter Access

[PeteSage]

My understanding is that in winter the gate is closed which adds some distance to the trip. Couple of questions. a) When does the gate typically close and how do you determine if it's closed b) How much additional mileage does it add?

 

[DSettahr]

The Elk Lake access is closed to the public until the end of the big game season, which this year is December 5 (so access should be open again by now). The gate is kept closed after that date and does not reopen again until spring- so it is already closed at this point. The extra walk is 2 miles one-way, or 4 miles round-trip.

 

[JoeCedar]

The road is usually plowed and/or packed by snowmobile, so it is easy walking, maybe need Microspikes but not snowshoes. You'll just get nice and warmed up and you'll be at the trailhead. Won't even notice it, except a little bit on the way out.