West Elk Wilderness
Volcanic hoodoo country west of Crested Butte — the 'Castles' formations and rolling aspen basins.
Where on earth
Satellite imagery flying in from a world view to West Elk Wilderness, United States. Use the + / − buttons, or click the map to zoom with your scroll wheel; drag to pan and pinch to zoom on touch.
- Region
- Colorado, USA
- Country
- United States
- Biome
- Volcanic subalpine (2,700–3,900 m)
- Best season
- July – September
- Difficulty
- moderate
Known for
- Backpacking
- Hiking
Key takeaways
- Biome: Volcanic subalpine (2,700–3,900 m)
- Best season: July – September
- Difficulty: moderate
- Top activity: backpacking
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Topic summary
Volcanic hoodoo country west of Crested Butte — the 'Castles' formations and rolling aspen basins.
Key takeaways
- Difficulty: moderate
- Best season: July – September
Intended uses
backpacking
Climate suitability
Volcanic subalpine (2,700–3,900 m)
Verification notes
Last verified January 1, 1970.
Region
United States
Biome
Volcanic subalpine (2,700–3,900 m)
Difficulty
moderate
Plan with verified data
West Elk Wilderness trip tools
Popular pursuits at West Elk Wilderness
- Backpacking
Multi-day travel with everything on your back — see the packing blocks below.
- Hiking
Day miles on marked trail, with route notes and trail links below.
