Elk Trail (Backpacking) Reviews & Reports

I didn't hike the entire trail, since my goal was to photo elk. So I started at the eastern trailhead and went as far as Shaffer Draft. There I made camp near the food plots, and found a viewing spot near the larger of the food plots. Around 6:15, a bull elk with 4 cows came out, fed, then left. Around 6:45 a second bull with 2 cows came out (see photo), then left. By then it was too dark to shoot video, so I went up to camp. All night I could hear a another herd of elk bugling in the field. I tried to get close to the field early in the morning, but they caught my scent and left. This bull had many cows--I couldn't get a count. The weather was beautiful, stars were fantastic, and wildlife was plentiful. Nice trail and a memorable hike.

It is my gpx file but the elevation profile appears to be wrong. It should appear correct after the file is uploaded. A very good fall hike -- plenty of color and a few elk.