Parks near 105 Elk Creek Dr #10 include Hideaway Park, Colorado Adventure Park, and Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park. Plenty of camping spot along the way. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. This is the ultimate wilderness trekking trip in Colorado's largest and most remote wilderness area. Wowee what a beautiful trail, particularly at the moment. In addition to a good selection of terrestrials and streamers for between hatches, you should have a good assortment of nymphs and drys resembling each of Elk Creek's major insect groups. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. Phone: 719-657-3321 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. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Elk Creek Loop is a 6 mile less popular doubletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. Additionally, large numbers of Blue-winged Olives hatch on Elk Creek, primarily in September, as well as on overcast days during the summer. The first big meadow was very pretty, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. 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. I went as far as the west end of the second meadow. This is the property details for 105 Elk Creek Drive #10, Fraser, CO 80442. 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. 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. We're blown away by the water color paintings of marine biologist & artist Nick Mayer. Share sensitive information only Great sounds! The main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with ample room for horse trailer parking and turnaround. about 3 miles to the first meadow. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. Tons of butterflies, flowers, and lizards. great except 4 rowdy dude ranch horse train. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Official websites use .gov A .gov To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Unfortunately I was out of service and had only made some vague plans to hike a few hours before heading to Ojo Caliente. Then, as your streamer swings to your side of the creek, twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the line. ( Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. 3 days, 2 nights. ATV Riding. United States government. It is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pines. Elk Trail Ct. View property records for 14 addresses located on Elk Trail Court in Estes Park, Colorado, including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. If you haven't yet checked out the first . Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. Saw SIX. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Nice hike overall. Get Here. Better waterand bigger fishawait upstream. trail is hot in certain portions but the meadows are lush and green. Erosion taking over on a couple sketchy drops. The trail seems dry, not many wild flowers to be seen,. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. Avoid using split-shot to sink your nymph. on official, secure websites. The south end of the trail is accessible from Centennial Trailhead, which is located near the Forest Boundary at the end of County Road 241. On newsstands January 3rd! 2023 - Visit Glenwood Springs. 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. Mostly empty of other hikers - only saw one group of horseback riders. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29522, Rio Grande NF Motorized Travel & Game Retrival. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Max Width. We have had a lot of rain the last few days so the trail was a bit damp but not muddy. On a small stream, twitching the fly to supply movement, while keeping the fly in the water longer, can be key to success. Creek was almost dry. We camped at ~9300 ft. Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. This time wasn't as bad as 1993, where my ancient A-frame tent blew down, but I'd suggest doing it in August for longer days and less rain. Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. ATV Riding. The current listing price for this horse property is $699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK TO PEAK. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Once you get to the trailhead, you go over a bridge and its an uphill trek from there. The campground sits at 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Elk Creek Trail (TR731). This multi-use trail can be used both directions. Careful, as there are some steep, slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful. These and others within the wilderness area are fed by runoff from the high peaks, and provide great fishing for brook trout in clear, icy water. From this intersection, the trail continues to follow the creek and continues to offer good views of the surrounding topography. 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. 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. 900 Grand Ave. Stop for a quick break, but plan to keep hiking, as the best fishing lies another three miles upstream in the vast stretches of the Second, Third, and Fourth meadows in the South San Juan Wilderness Area. I'm hoping that we weren't unncessarilly cautious and missed out. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Great trail. Featured Routes. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. In early summer, water levels drop gradually, and runoff subsides. Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. I'm fortunate enough to enjoy this trail weekly. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. 5 in Trail Running. 50 inches. Easy/Intermediate. No description for Elk Meadow trail has been added yet! When selecting flies for Elk Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the foods the fish key on. Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . 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. Like. On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock At Elk Falls Pond, a third trail, the Lion's Back Trail, leads another 1 mile up to the Elk Falls Overlook. Food and accommodations are limited in Antonito. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! 12.7 miles - Turn left on "Elk Creek/ FS 891.2" for 1.8 miles. If I were to do it again, I wouldve done a few more miles the first day - theres a nice campsite before the first peak. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Theparking lot is accessible year round. First Meadow was perfect for camping but Second Meadow was very swampy so we had to camp along the trail. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. Landon Mayer photo. Then, when you are ready to deliver the fly, "fire it in there" as John Barr would say, above the trout. Mostly flat. 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. Highly recommend. Lots of wildlife tracks. It begins at Forest Road 128 and ends at Forest Trail 813. I highly recommend it. This beautiful matted print of Julie Leidel's original Colorado artwork was created in partnership with The Colorado Trail Foundation. Lots of bear sign but no bears. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. 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. After at least an hour of hiking, you'll reach First Meadows. Bugs were pretty bad this year. Excellent hike with great views. ) or https:// means you've safely There was a new amazing view after every turn. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. For example, if you are fishing a pocket on the creek that is 5 feet deep, with a trout holding near bottom, the fish's viewing lane is much wider than if the fish were holding in shallower water. 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. 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. Took me just a little longer as I tend to go slower and take a lot of pictures Done over 5 nights and 6 days. It is common to see the naturals land on the water from the grass lining the water's edge in the four meadow stretches. The Elk Creek Campground in the Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! This will help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you move around the boulders. might be hard in bad weather, Great day great temperatures. Gorgeous! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Gorgeous views. You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. on official, secure websites. These meadows offer six magnificent river miles of winding water, and hold the greatest numbers of large trout in the upper watershed. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. Larimer County. More potential for future phases. Good primitive camp site at the far end of the meadow in the trees and near the creek for water to filter. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. The trick to successful dry-fly fishing on Elk Creek is accuracy in pocketwater settings, when your drifts can be short in the calm water breaks around rocks. Experience this 8.3-mile out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. Strenuous at points. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Monte Vista, CO 81144 These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. I missed the gate comment but it is CRITICAL. '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. The third day we hiked ~11 miles, starting with 2 miles downhill and then 7 miles to the top of columbine pass and then 2 miles down to camp at Chicago basin. From here, the trail climbs steeply uphill and leads visitors to the rim of the canyon. Select a dry fly with enough buoyancy to suspend the nymph throughout the drift without sinking. Overnight backpacking was fun at First Meadow. Parking is availabe at the Trailhead. Rate Quality . This multi-use trail can be used both directions with a 1,141 ft black diamond climb. To the north look for the West Elk Mountains, and at the end of the trail enjoy the views of the Gunnison River and the Black Canyon. There are 31 campsites (6 are pull-through) with tables and fireplaces, 3 vault type toilets, drinking water (3 hand pumps) and refuse receptacles for your convenience. Colorado Mountain . Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. Supervisor's Office Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 7 min to complete. LockA locked padlock Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. A Couples Guide to Glenwood Springs. Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. . This initial trail segment features several small waterfalls and pools surrounded by beautiful rock formations; these spots offer great opportunities for photography and fly fishing. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. East Elk Creek Trail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. Write a Review. It took us 7 days to complete it. Elk Creek Road . About 1.2 miles from Castle Valley Boulevards intersection with the Buford Road, take the right branch of the Y onto East Elk Road (CR 241). Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout. This resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and often prompts them to feed aggressively. This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. I did get caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way back so weather is changeable, be prepared!! (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/recarea/?recid=42890. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The trout manage to survive this demanding environment by hiding in deep pools below the winter ice, and beneath undercut banks. Sad to see all the beetle damage. Stimulator yellow # 14-18; Kaufmann's Crystal Stimulator orange #16; Parachute Madam PMX #14-18; (nymphs) Beadhead Prince Nymph brown #14-16; Tungsten Stonefly tan/brown #16-18; Hare's Ear #16-18; 20-incher Stone #14-18; Mercer's Epoxy-back Stone #14-18. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. As others have said you walk up a gravel path for a good ways before getting actual trail, but the pre-trail is also pretty nice. Over the Guardrail is a story about finding and creating adventures in your own backyard, and using time on the water to heal yourself and recharge yourself. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. United States. Spunk. Submit one here . On average it takes 1 hour4 minutes to complete this trail. The tread is packed earth and loose rock. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. Well marked trail that loops back the way you came!! I prefer foam flies like the BC Hopper. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. This should slow your pace and help you present the fly without spooking the fish. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. Continental Divide National Scenic Trail #813, South Fork Conejos, Rincon, and Roaring Gulch Loop, Continental Divide Trail: Lagunitas Section, Lilly Pond and Kerr Lake via Forest Road 257. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. 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