For seven years this trail has never disappointed me. The first epic (in my opinion) I ever road in Colorado and still my favorite ride of all time. The 2008 version of Two Elk Trail continues to solidify why I came to Colorado and despite the wear and tear on this picturesque singletrack, I predict many more rides ahead.
We start out with the ride from Vail Pass.
You can certainly look back at my archives and get the full details, but this year left us with a question. Who is Bowman and why does he mock us? Or, as the group suggested, maybe Bowman isn't a man at all? Maybe he's a goat.
Whomever or what ever Bowman may be, it certainly took it's revenge. All 4.5 miles of it.
The contemplation of weather to climb or not to climb.
But, oh the reward for contemplating to get up there.
There were those who felt it only fitting to Bowman to complete each and every one if his menacing challenges. Sometimes even twice! It must be those big tires. Go Nate, go!
When single is single, it's truly a magnificent invention.
We are staking our claim! The future site of "we hate you but thank you Bowman International". There is a hero in this picture. Do you know where? I won't embarrass her other than to say that being a Cancer and Heart Attack survivor and then doing this requires one big batch of courage and strength. I am truly humbled!
Bowman is a devil though. He managed to through in a nasty little decent before he bid welcome to Two Elk.
The gateway to truly "all downhill from here".
The back bowls of Vail were alive and kicking!
At this point you put the camera away and pay attention. Of course, I didn't pay attention and found myself tumbling down the side of the hill towards the creek. I probably used a lot of karma points (as Stu would say) since I didn't even get a scratch.
We finally regroup at the bridge (which is still under construction) before the short woodsy ride back to the car.
Another great year on Two Elk. I was surprised that there were more people on the trail than I can ever remember and that conditions are deteriorating fast on some of the singletrack. Thankfully, there were flags signaling some much needed re-routes. I am glad to see that they'll be putting some work into keeping this masterpiece around.
I've been dying to do this ride since I've moved here and am planning on getting it done in the next few weeks. Any advice on the route? I've heard/ read that starting from Vail Pass and riding to Minturn may require shuttling to get back to your vehicle - but I'm planning on doing this solo. Do most people ride back or shuttle? I'm not sure what the effort level is like, but am expecting about the same effort as Searle Pass from just beyond Copper Mountain.
Any advice on the route/ getting back to Vail Pass is greatly appreciated!!
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I've been dying to do this ride since I've moved here and am planning on getting it done in the next few weeks. Any advice on the route? I've heard/ read that starting from Vail Pass and riding to Minturn may require shuttling to get back to your vehicle - but I'm planning on doing this solo. Do most people ride back or shuttle? I'm not sure what the effort level is like, but am expecting about the same effort as Searle Pass from just beyond Copper Mountain.
Any advice on the route/ getting back to Vail Pass is greatly appreciated!!
I have done this alone, but it requires a shuttle unless you are really fit. The ride from Vail Pass to Minturn is 22 miles. Yes, most of it is downhill. When I have done this alone, I have started in Lions Head which is the middle of Vail. I used Charter Sports to shuttle me from there to Vail Pass (around $20 at the time). From there it's along the dirt road to Bowman's Shortcut. From there it's 4.5 miles to the Two Elk/Bowmans/Two Elk Shortcut intersection. Then it's down Two Elk to Minturn with a short ride east on Rt. 24 to the Vail bike path and an easy pedal back to Charter Sports.
If you don't do it this way (or hitchhike back) prepare for a long climb back to Vail Pass. There's is another option which will save you a good portion of the climb back to Vail Pass, but leave out Bowmans Shortcut. That would involve taking the Two Elk Shortcut up. You'd need to park at the eastern edge of Vail. Take the bike path up just after where the path goes under rt. 70 is the trailhead. This goes straight up (and I do mean fall line up with nasty switchbacks) for abut 2.5 miles over a saddle. It will connect with Two Elk. That pretty much saves the grueling push up Vail Pass on a mountain bike.
Team Evergreen has a Two Elk ride coming up. You could go with them and you wouldn't have to worry about the shuttle.
This is one of my favorite rides of all time. One of the first epic rides I did in Colorado 11-12 years ago. Was thinking about doing it this Sunday. I have always ridden it from (East) Village (location??) Where the Worlds started and finished....then I climb the road to Mid-Vail, then up Mid-Vail Escape, then up Klosers, then the road to Orient Express. There, you need to take the trail and hike-a-bike up the cliff. Grab the trail and head right working your way down sweet singletrack to the Two Elks intersection. Go right...believe it is 11.5 miles to Minturn from the intersection. Ride the bike path back to Vail. I actually never have heard of riding/shuttling it from Vail Pass unless you take Commando Run.
Thanks for the tips! I'll give this one a go early next week (WP and SV this weekend) and try to give you all an update. I don't have GPS and my computer is on the fritz (it only works part time these days) - so we'll see how accurate the numbers turn out to be, but I'm hoping for some long flowy DH fun! The Shuttle from Vail to Vail pass sounds like the hot ticket. I'm guessing a stop in Minturn for a little chow before the ride back to Vail will be in order.
Thanks for the info and advice!
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Thanks for the tips! I'll give this one a go early next week (WP and SV this weekend) and try to give you all an update. I don't have GPS and my computer is on the fritz (it only works part time these days) - so we'll see how accurate the numbers turn out to be, but I'm hoping for some long flowy DH fun! The Shuttle from Vail to Vail pass sounds like the hot ticket. I'm guessing a stop in Minturn for a little chow before the ride back to Vail will be in order.
Thanks for the info and advice!
Plenty of good food in Minturn for after the ride or Moes BBQ in Lions Head.
Make sure you call Charter Sports to arrange the shuttle before you go. They sell out quickly from tourons using it to take comfort bikes to the top of the pass for the paved ride back to town.
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