About the West Elk Multi-Use Trails
Brought to you by the West Elk Multi-Use Club in partnership with the White River National Forest, Rifle Ranger District
Since 2002, the West Elk Multi-Use Club has marked, maintained, and promoted trails in Colorado’s White River National Forest, north of Rifle, Silt, and New Castle, for hiking, biking, horseback riding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sledding. Multi-use is a key management principle for the US Forest Service. WEMUC has worked with the White River National Forest Rifle Ranger District on a 3-loop winter trail system, approximately 12 miles in length, starting on Forest Road 819, on the Buford Road, which is located in the Flat Tops mountain range, west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
The West Elk Multi-Use Trails are a no-fee area. However voluntary donations are encouraged. Maps and donation cards are available at the trail head during the winter months. Trails are maintained and groomed for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing beginning as soon as snow depths reach 12-18 inches, approximately December through March — always weather permitting. Dogs are welcome on the trails. Please clean up after your pets.
How to Get There
From New Castle: North on 7th Street which turns into Buford Road(245), past East Elk Road & Main Elk Road. Turn R past the sign for West Elk at junction of Buford Road(245) and Grass Valley Road(226). Stay on 245 to the Trail Head Parking Lot. Total Distance: 16 miles
From Silt: North on 7th Street which turns into Peach Valley Road(214) to Silt Mesa Road(233). Turn L on 233 to Gott Road(261). Turn R on 261 to Bendetti Road(250). Turn L on 250 to Harvey Gap Road(237). Turn R on 237 to Grass Valley Road(226). Turn R on 226 to Cutoff Road(247). Turn L on 247 to New Castle/Buford Road(245). Turn L on 245 to the Trailhead Parking Lot. Total Distance: 17 miles
From Rifle: North on CO Hwy 13 to CO Hwy 325. Turn R on 325 past Rifle Gap to Grass Valley Road(226). Turn R on 226 to Cutoff Road(247). Turn L on Cutoff Road to New Castle/Buford Road(245). Turn L on 245 to the Trailhead Parking Lot. Total Distance: 22 miles
New Castle, Silt, and Rifle are all accessible from I-70 west of Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
West Elk Multi-Use Club
WEMUC is a volunteer organization, supported by voluntary user fees and donations which cover the cost of grooming the winter ski trails. We welcome new members!
Tod Tibbetts, Executive Director
Peggy Tibbetts, Secretary/Treasurer
PO Box 129
Silt, CO 81652
Email: peggyt@siltnet.net
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Hi, Love this area, Its great that you’re such great stewards. Where is dorthys view and where are you thinking of putting the sledding hill?
Now that they’re plowing the snow differently the small place to sled with kids off the main road is ruined.
If you need labor in helping with the trails let me know.
Dorothy’s view is located on Kay’s Loop, follow the fence line from the field, up the hill through the aspens, then it opens up to a view spot, that’s Dorothy’s View — look for the sign on the tree right hand side of trail. Don’t know who put the sign there or when but there it is.
The sledding hill is planned for the open area where the ginzugroomer is parked along Hwy 819. We need to get the 3 groomers together at the same time in order to get it done. I will pass along your offer to help to the team. Thanks!
Have the trails been groomed yet this year? Thanks for the great job you do each year. We love the trails.
Update on the Trail – West Elk Trail is in a multi-use area and big game rifle hunting season is still active. Once the snow is too deep to drive vehicles on forest road 819, we can start packing the trail and getting it ready for grooming. The target to start setting the trail is the Thanksgiving holiday, but that is weather dependent. An update will be posted this weekend.
Tod.