Trail Description
Elkhorn Lake located in the Pioneer Mountains off of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is a fairly easy hike that features a ghost town along the way. The drive into the Coolidge Parking lot has some washouts but is not as bad as most trailheads. Just don’t try to take a low clearance vehicle here.
Once you are at the trailhead it is a short half-mile to the ghost town. There are several structures left and a few plaques to read about the Ghost town. You will walk south to the end of the town where the trail begins. The trail isn’t obviously marked but is easy to follow. You pick up some elevation in the first 1/5 mile or so before the trail flattens following down the valley floor. You will see sneak peek views of the mountains along the way and meander next to Elkhorn creek. You will reach a section that crosses a creek and this is where you will pick up significant elevation. The trail does have steep sections and isn’t overly beaten, but obvious to follow. After only about 3/4 of a mile of ascent, you reach the lake!