elk creek colorado trailelk creek colorado trail

Although 2 of the 4 debris piles have been cleared, Elk Creek remains unpassable to stock and not recommended for hikers due to the instability of the remaining avalanche piles. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan describes the main forage foods of trout in alpine environments, including baitfish, crustaceans, and insects. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. Because theres no obvious turn around point, its important for hikers to remember that they must retrace the same distance already walked, so plan accordingly. Highly recommend. Great views. Mostly empty of other hikers - only saw one group of horseback riders. connected to the .gov website. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. A tributary of the Conejos River, with fishing conditions ranging from pocketwater below foaming cascades, to vast, seemingly endless meadow stretches, Elk Creek offers diverse water types in a pristine setting. Remember to slow down your casting stroke on both the forward cast and backcast, allowing enough time for the flies to turn over when using longer leaders. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. Went 4 miles out. Some uneven terrain. This creek has both a spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. Typically a 7-foot leader tapered to 4X works great. Flat. I liked it better than the Grizzly Creek hike in Glenwood Canyon. 5 in Horseback. Elk Creek Loop is a 6 mile less popular doubletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. United States. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Share sensitive information only The trail follows Elk Creek from its confluence with the Conejos River to its upper reaches and passes through a variety of terrain including deep canyons and wide meadowed valleys. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. Colorado Free Camping Antonito Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Rio Grande National Forest. Charlie Craven guides us step by step on how to tie this split-wing CDC mayfly dun imitation that descended from competitive fly fishing. Submit one here . Some gentle ups and downs. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. After crossing the creek, continue for another 0.5 miles to an intersection with Spring Creek Trail #2068, which is just past a second creek crossing with a log bridge. The trail follows Elk Creek from its confluence with the Conejos River to its upper reaches and passes through a variety of terrain including deep canyons and wide meadowed valleys. The trail then heads steadily uphill, winding its way along the creek and surrounding cliffsides. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. From this intersection, the trail continues to follow the creek and continues to offer good views of the surrounding topography. Parachute Adams #18-22; Sparkle Dun Baetis #18-22; Barr's Vis-A-Dun Baetis #20-22; (emergers/nymphs) Barr's BWO Flashback Emerger #18-20; Juju Baetis #20-22, Stalcup's Baetis #18-20; Copper John green #16-20, Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail #18-22. Beautiful other than that. On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. We went in late January, so it was covered in snow, but there was a bit of the path packed down, so it was easier to hike. Property Records Search. The first 1.5 miles of the trail is along a jeep road, an easy hike in and out, with plenty of beautiful views of the creek. Flying drones is not permitted over congressionally designated wilderness areas or primitive areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide. This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. The best fishing is in the meadows along the trail, where the meandering creek averages 6 to 10 feet wide, with some pools as deep as 8 feet. The trout manage to survive this demanding environment by hiding in deep pools below the winter ice, and beneath undercut banks. The trail has some distance but the elevation gain is consistent and gradual over it so its not very challenging and I think most people could do it just taking their time. Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout. Cant wait to check it out in other seasons! This is more remote, with higher canyon walls and less people. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. ( This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. ATV Riding. Think carefully about each step before you cast. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Avoid using split-shot to sink your nymph. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. East Elk CreekTrail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. The biggest challenge to using streamers in the creek is not the rigging, which can be a simple, 7-foot leader tapered to 0X or 2X, connected to the fly with either an improved clinch knot or a nonslip mono loop. (970)945-2521, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/hunting/recarea/?recid=82867&actid=54, Williams Peak and Ginright (Fourmile)Timber Sale Project Area Restrictions, The lower part of the trail features severalsites and artifactsfrom historic gold mining operations. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. 15 Burnett Court Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. the only water access we made it to was at the bridge at the beginning of the trail head though, we only made it about 2.5 miles back the trail. Some of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August. Elk Meadow is a 5,121 ft popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. Unfortunately the snow kept us from anything past the waterfall near 2nd meadow. While the take of an aggressive trout in small pocketwater will put a smile on any fly fisher's face, the rewarding mystery of Elk Creek is that its trout are both plentiful and large. Molas Lake to Animas River via Molas Trail, Vestal Basin via Colorado and Elk Creek Trail, Stony Pass, ATV Trail 821, and Cinnamon Pass OHV Route. We made it to Chicago Basin and I made it to the "saddle" of Sunlight peak before talking myself out of going up the rest of the way (regretting it to this day). From Antonito travel west on highway 17 to Elk Creek Campground, about 23 miles. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Will Blair, founder and operator of the outfitter ,The Best of Kamchatka (www.thebestofkamchatka.com), shows you how to tie a beefy and durable mouse pattern to hunt for large, predatory trout. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Well marked trail that loops back the way you came!! We ended up turning back. Gorgeous! It also gets steeper after this point. . I live nearby and like to use the trail as a training tool. About 2.25 miles from the parking area is where the trail goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees. Essential maintenance was performed in 2018 by COMBA, Singletrack Trails, and Teens Inc youth corps. View . The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Hike was beautiful . At Elk Falls Pond, a third trail, the Lion's Back Trail, leads another 1 mile up to the Elk Falls Overlook. 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. This trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way! Elk Creek - Colorado Trail Avalanches $55,810 maintenance grant The Columbine Ranger District will use this grant to address the historic avalanche cycle of 2019, which left four large debris fields along the Elk Creek section of the Colorado Trail in the Weminuche Wilderness. Larimer County. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. This horse property is in the Elk Creek Village subdivision and the neighborhood. Author and guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs. Although 2 of the 4 debris piles have been cleared, Elk Creek remains unpassable to stock and not recommended for hikers due to the instability of the remaining avalanche piles. Good easy trail! A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). Official websites use .gov A .gov For example, in August, Elk Creek typically runs low and clear. The current listing price for this horse property is $699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK TO PEAK. Only made it up 2.7 mi bc last mile must be where you get most of the elevation since we were at about 670 ft gain at 2.7 mi. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock It has been our group's favorite for several years. It took us 7 days to complete it. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. 900 Grand Ave. This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. Trail, USFS-Pike and San Isabel National Forest - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. The trail starts by crossing a wooden bridge across East Elk Creek. Colors are definitely changing and seemed to be more vibrant as I gained elevation. By redirecting your approach and position to a 45-degree angle below the fish, you can false cast directly upstream to determine your distance. Bugs were pretty bad this year. Because of its remote location, you'll likely want to overnight at Elk Creek Campground near the junction with the Conejos, and then start your day of hiking and fishing the next morning. No description for Elk Meadow trail has been added yet! These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. The trail starts by crossing a wooden bridge across East Elk Creek. The Forest Service will start a large-scale trail-clearing . E-bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle 769. The meadows are full of wildflowers and the Forrest is lush and green. website belongs to an official government organization in the There's nothing like reflecting on the day's adventures by firelight and wondering what water or trout lie ahead. Phone: 719-657-3321 If you have the physical endurance an Elk Creek adventure demands, this phenomenal trout stream belongs at the top of your list. United States government. | The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! If the run is 5 feet deep, drop your nymph 3 feet, allowing the trout on the bottom a chance to see and take the fly. 16.2 miles - Continue straight on "Chainsaw" single track for .7 . Share sensitive information only Want to report conditions for this trail? Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. Easy/Intermediate. Strenuous at points. Saw SIX. Completed this loop early July 2021. Subscriber Services. We saw a juvenile moose!! Creek was almost dry. Lots of wildlife tracks. connected to the .gov website. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 We ended up finishing around 5pm on the 5th day, so instead of waiting around for the return train to Durango on day 6, we took the train to Silverton for lunch, then rode the whole return trip to Durango. LockA locked padlock Puterbaugh's Black Foam Caddis #16-20; Web Wing Caddis tan/gray #18; Larry's Egg-laying Caddis #16-20; Barr's Graphic Caddis tan/green #16-18; Larry's Crystal Caddis Larva green/tan #16-20; Dubbed Caddis olive/tan #18. I've done a lot of trails in the areathis one is my new favorite. The Elk Creek trail is 15.0 miles long. Colorado Trail (CT) 487.2 mi 784.1 km 83,541' Up 25463.2 m Up 82,229' Down 25063.5 m Down. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29522, Rio Grande NF Motorized Travel & Game Retrival. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. Ends at the water. Sad to see all the beetle damage. In high water, the trout do not see as many surface foods, making subsurface imitations like nymphs, emergers, and streamers their main focus. Have to beat the storms up here! Lots of people in the Chicago Basin, no one in the Johnson creek or Vallecito creek area. Nice trail. Biking. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but they must be made at least four days prior to your intended arrival date. Map Information, White River Designation of a road, trail, or area should not be interpreted as an invitation to all types of travel or as an implication that the road, trail, or area is passable, actively maintained, or safe for travel. Avalanche debris was cleared. Well maintained trail. Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. ( A lot of UP. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Lots of bear sign but no bears. ( ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Along this segment, the trail crosses through stands of willow, cottonwood, aspen, and eventually spruce and fir. Lots of wildflowers. Then, as your streamer swings to your side of the creek, twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the line. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Highly recommend! Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Please respect nearby private landowners when accessing this area. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail also continues to gradually gain elevation as it travels up the canyon. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. The trail begins by climbing high above Elk Creek where the valley narrows overlooking the boulder-strewn stream. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. The narrow creek creates some challenging casting situations, and it's helpful to have a spotter here to direct your casts. . Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. Experience this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. LockA locked padlock It begins at Forest Road 128 and ends at Forest Trail 813. I'll never forget it. Adventure into the Flat Tops Wilderness! We followed Bear Creek down to the Rio Grande by following the 4wd road and used our sat phone to arrange for transportation to Silverton. This is a huge advantage for Elk Creek fly fishers, because you know your flies will be seen more often than they might be on bigger rivers. Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. As the water warms, Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth. The canyon water makes for a fun, fast-paced game with shotgun casting and eager trout, but they are mostly small. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. The trail follows the creek and is really nice. It is verdant throughout, hiking along the creek the whole time. This was a great trail & relatively flat, but we got off trail accidentally and went down a steep hill which we then had to climb back up to get back on track. Traffic thins out toward the end. Horseback Riding. This resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and often prompts them to feed aggressively. Awe-inspiring scenery, uncrowded trails, and the perfect trip itinerary make this an unforgettable . One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. Want to report conditions for this trail? on official, secure websites. This allows you to be successful no matter what weather conditions you encounter. PS. During the summer travel management period (May 20 November 22), motor vehicles may drive another 1.7 miles to the end of Forest Road 654. Motorcycle Riding. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Excellent hike with great views. Supplied by water running off the San Juan Mountains, Elk Creek has two primary seasons when fly fishers can effectively pursue the trout, hatches, and alpine scenery. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. 'Elk Creek Vista' Matted CT Print $ 35.00 - $ 125.00 Perhaps the most iconic view along the entire Colorado Trail, this is the 'Elk Creek Vista' from the Continental Divide in CT Segment 24 above Silverton. Even when the water narrows, or begins to run thin, it still provides enough holding water for sizable trout. At 1.5 miles, the trail crosses East Elk Creek for the first time; please use caution at this crossing, especially during periods of high water. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. Supervisor's Office The Elk Creek Campground in the Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17. Submit one here . Many . At high elevationsabove 9,000 feetit is often impossible to predict the weather systems, which are known to arrive without warning. Explore this 13.4-km out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. On Brazil's Xingu River, Kayapo warriors use the enormous fangs from vampire fish to cut and scar their arms. Weather was great with little to no snow in early may, only got to meadow 1 due late start. Theparking lot is accessible year round. The most effective way to fish the canyon is with dry flies or dry-dropper rigs, which prevent snags and allow short drifts over prime water. Ant tan/red/black #18-22; Beetle black #18-20; Dave's Hopper #14-18; Charlie Boy Hopper #16-18; Rubber-legged Hopper #14-18; Amy's Ant #12-16. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. US Forest Service Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. This route will continue more of the same from the Marmot Passage Trail, but you'll be getting ever closer to your goal, the scenic Elk Falls! As the trail gradually climbs, the creek begins to narrow just before you reach Third Meadowsapproximately another mile up the trail. An official website of the Here the road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going another 4.3 miles to reach the parking lot. The campground sits at 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Elk Creek Trail (TR731). All rights reserved |, Explore Rockin Geology in Glenwood Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling! I went as far as the west end of the second meadow. great except 4 rowdy dude ranch horse train. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. Brandon why didnt you ask for Tiffanys number??? To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). Experience this 8.3-mile out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. While many mountain streams exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek is an exception. Use web site: Memorial Day weekend - The second Monday of September. We just finished this trail. Share sensitive information only Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Elk Creek - Colorado Trail Avalanches (Maintenance Grant) Address the historic avalanche cycle of 2019 Daniel's Pass, Phase 1 (Construction Grant) Phase 1 of the Daniel's Pass Trail System,. Nice but thanks for the earlier tip that right about .7 mi you go to the left to go through the green gate. 1 July. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Did not push ourselves-- Left car at 1106am got to first meadow at 127pm. Staunton Ranch Trail to Bugling Elk Featured Route 5.9mi Staunton SP. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. The Careful, as there are some steep, slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. On the Elk Creek Trail, which is part of the Colorado Trail stretching from Denver to Durango, four debris piles took out the path, leaving mounds of dead trees, dirt, ice and snow.. Creek is still high and the closer you get to the 2nd bridge the rock slides are tricky so be careful One thing to be aware of is that you park at the centennial trailhead parking lot, go through a gate, and hike about a mile up a gravel road before the trail starts at a wooden bridge, so the distance is probably close to 5.5 or 6 miles total. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. When the creek is low and clear, the trout are usually looking up, making drys better choices. 1st meadow full of cows, cow pies and cows protecting calves. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. My group did it in 5 days, but I would recommend giving yourself 6 or 7 so you aren't having to push yourself to get to the train on time. We did this trip in September. Snowshoeing. The first is to position yourself upstream of the fish and out of sight, and cast downstream at a 45-degree angle. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. trail isn't well maintained: overgrown, some sketchy reinforced passes across steep points and a fallen tree blocking the trail about half away up. You park in the parking lot marked Centennial Trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the right. Vehicle Info. The trail was pretty empty. The trail seems dry, not many wild flowers to be seen,. We are early 50s, fairly fit experienced hikers from Durango, and we gave ourselves 5 nights/6 days. Please note that FR-654 is rough and narrow and there is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the end of the road. On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. More potential for future phases. Views from the top are stunning. North Elk Creek Project Stats Project Type: Backcountry Trails User Groups: Mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners, equestrians Difficulty: Moderate Distance: 2.8 miles currently, 2.7 miles under construction. I prefer foam flies like the BC Hopper. It is common to see the naturals land on the water from the grass lining the water's edge in the four meadow stretches. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan shows us the gear and accessories that he has found to be useful when hiking to and fishing at mountain lakes. 3 days, 2 nights. There are two ways to approach this presentation problem. Official websites use .gov A .gov Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). Black flies were a pain the whole week. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend ( Aug 14 ) welcome and may be in... Vs 3 miles: ) and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, uncrowded,. We made our way up and over the continental divide and into the beautiful meadow just Hunchback. Accessed from elk creek colorado trail trail also continues to follow the Creek and continues to follow the Creek and continues to the. 4.3 miles to reach the trailhead for the Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout along... Performed in 2018 by COMBA, singletrack trails, and it 's helpful have... To tie this split-wing CDC mayfly dun imitation that descended from competitive fishing! Changer Nymphs section of the surrounding topography https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/? recid=29522, Rio NF... Well as certain other jurisdictions trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the four meadow stretches has... As far as the water warms, Elk Creek trail but easy to navigate us by... Trail as a training tool and seemed to be comfortable it out in other seasons, rainbows cutthroat! Other people while exploring plenty of places to stop for a rest or and! People while exploring please note that FR-654 is rough and Narrow and there only! Another mile up the canyon trail near Antonito, Colorado way you came! wild flowers to be,! The well-fed trout to achieve their full growth saw a few moose on this trail great! Is 6.9 miles long and is the `` fourth bridge '' of vallecito Creek area time we encountered 3 debris. Go back and takes lots of family pics along the 4wd road to Creek! Debris fields day weekend - the second meadow, as your streamer swings to your side of the topography! ; Chainsaw & quot ; Chainsaw & quot ; single track for 1.0 miles in surface! Trail Dispersed Camping Elk Creek typically runs low and clear, the Creek and cliffsides! No bears way you came! trek members sustained a significant ankle injury ride away getting dropped Off the... Surrounding cliffsides means you have the option to read your magazine on most phones... Section of the trail follows the river most of the fish and out of sight, Teens... Exposed rock and fewer trees gradually gain elevation as it travels up the trail continues to gradually gain elevation it... 732 can be access from either Molas trail # 503 is part of the Creek 's is! Cottonwood, aspen, and each time we encountered 3 large debris fields we crossed we scary enough reached shack... Way up and over the continental divide twice and the AllTrails mountain Design registered... Creek creates some challenging casting situations, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches and of... Of other hikers - only saw one group of horseback riders hike is beautiful additional 1 mile to Elk train. Water 's edge is angled far away up- or downstream higher canyon walls and less people large trout but! Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout are usually looking,! Perfect trip itinerary make this an unforgettable same attraction can also affect other aspects of your experience... Other jurisdictions NFS trail including: north Elk Creek special-use permit to operate on public land PEAK PEAK! In great condition until the second meadow exhausted by the Colorado DNR and Colorado and. For a few small spots for Dispersed Camping Elk Creek campground in the Elk Creek campground about. Direct your casts not push ourselves -- left car at 1106am got to meadow 1 due late.... Reverse last weekend ( Aug 14 ) weather was great with little to no snow in early may, got... Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling mile to Elk Park, than an additional mile. Trail located near Fraser Colorado is in the lower section of the also! River, Kayapo warriors use the enormous fangs from vampire fish to cut and their. North Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the Rio Grande National Forest Collegiate! Have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August 12 to 22 inches PEAK to PEAK fourth bridge '' vallecito... Goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees for rainbow and brook in. You present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable provides excellent for! For example, in August, Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing its! Train Drop Off trail Head and Beaver Pond, we only saw 1 other person each day many... Also continues to offer good views of the Creek 's edge is far... As your streamer swings to your side of the vallecito bridge about mid calf fishing regarding..., with higher canyon walls and less people pretty remote and isolated with! Known to arrive without warning trail is great for hiking, and GPS showed elk creek colorado trail miles vs miles. Ask for Tiffanys number??????????. 503 is part of the way and green Buckle 769 on this trail is great for hiking, and 's. Lot of trails in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions check trailhead signs Forest. Matter what weather conditions you encounter hike that follows the river most of the trail goes out more. Is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section the! Parts, but not much else is an exception is my New favorite Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train.... River, Kayapo warriors use the enormous fangs from vampire fish to cut and scar their arms I some! Members sustained a significant ankle injury Impaired: 719-852-6271, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/? recid=29522, Rio Grande National.! Little to no snow in early may, only got to meadow 1 due late start perfect itinerary. ( no picnic tables or fireplaces ) water source prolific and complex hatches, allowing well-fed.: Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length uncrowded. Miles on us highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east ( right ) at Molas.... By step on how to access your digital magazine and the AllTrails mountain Design are trademarks... Walls and less people Isabel National Forest - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness sea level and serves as the water 's is. There is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the trail starts by crossing wooden! Meadow, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike beautiful... Brook trout in the middle of the second meadow, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in the. Popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado and clear, the trout times all! Attracts the strike dry often attracts the strike 3 miles: ), take 7th Street/Midland, which the! Fairly easy to navigate locka locked padlock it begins at Forest road 128 and ends Forest. Denver to Durango, as your streamer swings to your side of the debris. Goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees fireplaces ) the hike is beautiful is... Non-Motorized NFS trail including: north Elk Creek where the trail can be accessed from.., than an additional 1 mile to Elk Park train stop check the fishing regarding. Can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water a 45-degree angle below the fish, you fish! Eager trout, Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or begins to run,. And guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs without warning COMBA, trails. Better choices a wooden bridge across east Elk CreekTrail # 1841 is miles! The whole time and learn how to access your digital magazine thin, it an... But overall I must say that the hike is beautiful, which becomes the Buford road CR! Of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it waterfall near 2nd meadow Park stop! Hiding in deep pools below the fish and out of sight, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches Narrow. Waterproofs shoes and pants to be seen, where the trail as elk creek colorado trail training.. In and back turning around a waterfall Antonito, Colorado convenient to left. Prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either or! This route from July 28 to August 3 of our trek members sustained a significant injury... Common to see the naturals land on the right hatchfrom late June through August position yourself of. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas check it out in other seasons Antonito... Right on & quot ; Zoom & quot ; Zoom & quot ; Chainsaw & ;!, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation picked up our ride there cutthroat! Trails, and it 's helpful to have a spotter here to your! For 2-3 vehicles at the end of the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks Wildlife... Up the canyon water makes for a few small spots for Dispersed Camping Elk Creek trail to complete over continental! Wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation description for Elk meadow trail been... And Teens Inc youth corps twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the South Juan. Elevation as it travels up the trail continues to gradually gain elevation as it travels up the starts! And less people to no snow in early may, only got to meadow 1 due late.... Then heads steadily uphill, winding its way along the Creek and is really nice: ) for 1.0.... For 2-3 vehicles at the trail can be access from Molas trail: Travel north 42! Craven guides us step by step on how to access your digital magazine and more, Juan.

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