This is the view from Two Elk Pass, the highest point on the Two Elk National Recreation Trail. The east trailhead access requires cycling, skating, walking or any non-motorized means of climbing about two miles of the paved Vail Pass bike path beginning in East Vail, Colorado. Almost two miles past the gate on that paved path is the trailhead for Two Elk Trail.

The hiking trail climbs about 1800 feet from the east trailhead to here at 11,000 foot Two Elk Pass. There's a junction here with Bowman's Shortcut Trail which heads south toward Shrine Pass. Continuing west, Two Elk Trail follows Two Elk Creek downhill for about six miles to its western trailhead near Minturn. Much of the route is at the base of the Back Bowls of Vail Mountain. Two Elk Trail is closed May 6 to July 1 for elk calving season.