Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, 8 Best Fly Fishing Knots You Should Know How to Tie, Finding and Catching Trout in Mountain Lakes, Bugs, Aquatic Invertebrates, and other Forage Food of Mountain Lakes, Over the Guardrail: Sometimes a Monumental Journey Can be Close to Home, Tying Matt Winkler's Balanced Leather Leech, Angler And Artist Inspiration: Nick Mayer Art, Tying Villwock's The RoamerA Streamer for All Species, Blood Run: Fly Fishing with Amazon Warriors. 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! 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 is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. Rate Quality . Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. 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. Theres a point on the drive up that you cant get past, so you have to actually park and walk 1.5 miles until you get to the trailhead. 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. You can also pursue trout with streamers that imitate any of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek. OHV Riding (>50") Nordic Skiing. Theparking lot is accessible year round. Good primitive camp site at the far end of the meadow in the trees and near the creek for water to filter. pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Don't just fish the most obvious deep holes. Took about 4 hours to do the entire thing. 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. When I returned there was a note on my car not to park there!! 5 in Horseback. The trail joins the Continental Divide Scenic Trail #813 directly above Dipping Lakes. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). Share sensitive information only I prefer foam flies like the BC Hopper. Want to report conditions for this trail? Map showing recreational areas. Master fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler's Balanced Leather Leech. Lots of great waterfalls and views along the way. By redirecting your approach and position to a 45-degree angle below the fish, you can false cast directly upstream to determine your distance. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. Overnight backpacking was fun at First Meadow. Usage: Moderate to heavy 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. It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. Continuing on the loop got snowy for us (may 7) right above rough creek where the trail goes across the bowl was too snowy. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. In the winter it's too cold for good fishing at these high elevations, and spring melt creates raging water flows. The current listing price for this horse property is $699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK TO PEAK. ( Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. Colorado Trail (CT) 487.2 mi 784.1 km 83,541' Up 25463.2 m Up 82,229' Down 25063.5 m Down. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Want to report conditions for this trail? Excellent trip, lots of varied terrain, meadows, forests, small mountain ponds and lakes, avalanche tree slides, large and small rock slides, multiple high passes with great views. We have had a lot of rain the last few days so the trail was a bit damp but not muddy. 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. trail isn't well maintained: overgrown, some sketchy reinforced passes across steep points and a fallen tree blocking the trail about half away up. The trail also continues to gradually gain elevation as it travels up the canyon. E-bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle 769. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. Lots of bear sign but no bears. I would bring a hiking pole to navigate some of the scree jags. Share sensitive information only Bugs were pretty bad this year. Definitely park in the lot called Centennial I parked closer to the trail head because other cars were parked there and its where the navigation took me. You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. On average it takes 1 hour4 minutes to complete this trail. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. Population Willow and me. Well marked trail that loops back the way you came!! Some of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August. 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). Never saw a waterfall. Explore this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near New Castle, Colorado. (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. Traffic thins out toward the end. From here, the trail climbs steeply uphill and leads visitors to the rim of the canyon. The Elk Creek trail is 15.0 miles long. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. As they climb, visitors are treated to a variety of good views of East Elk Creek Canyon. Food and accommodations are limited in Antonito. ) or https:// means you've safely Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, online Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad or call (719) 376-5483 for more information. There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. ) or https:// means you've safely Even crossed paths with three different types of baby snakes! East Elk CreekTrail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. We made the decision to cut our trek short. Elk Creek Road . 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. | Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. When selecting flies for Elk Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the foods the fish key on. By tying the connecting knot at the bend of the hook and not the hook eye, you will help prevent tangles while false casting. ( Author and guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs. Bring an extra blood bag as you'll need to counter what's sucked out of you by the mosquitoes. 5 in Trail Running. Official websites use .gov A .gov The first is to position yourself upstream of the fish and out of sight, and cast downstream at a 45-degree angle. Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and author of Sight Fishing for Trout (Stackpole Books, 2010). We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. LockA locked padlock very nice in good weather. My childhood hike, worth it to see meadows. This horse property is in the Elk Creek Village subdivision and the neighborhood. 1 July. Nice but thanks for the earlier tip that right about .7 mi you go to the left to go through the green gate. 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. This will help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you move around the boulders. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan describes the main forage foods of trout in alpine environments, including baitfish, crustaceans, and insects. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. Had to climb over a hundred trees, no joke. Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout. About 2.25 miles from the parking area is where the trail goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees. Colors changing . 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. While it did have some beautiful parts, Particularly at the top of the Continental Divide and Columbine Pass, I was disappointed by the avalanche debris in the first 6 miles and the lack of trail maintenance on the section below hunchback pass to the Vallecito Bridge. Experience this 8.3-mile out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. Great trail. If you are backpacking for the day and want a fish fry, these nonnative trout offer excellent eating. At the trail's highest point is a series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes. ( 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. As the trail gradually climbs, the creek begins to narrow just before you reach Third Meadowsapproximately another mile up the trail. We just finished this trail. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). This beautiful matted print of Julie Leidel's original Colorado artwork was created in partnership with The Colorado Trail Foundation. We had a couple of long days and some short days with lots of time to relax. 15 Burnett Court A Couples Guide to Glenwood Springs. Wowee what a beautiful trail, particularly at the moment. View . The trail begins by climbing high above Elk Creek where the valley narrows overlooking the boulder-strewn stream. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. Lots of wildlife tracks. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). This was my first hike of more than five miles. Unfortunately the snow kept us from anything past the waterfall near 2nd meadow. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Wide gravel road for awhile. Get Here. Mostly flat. It is easier for the fish to detect the leader or line from above, which could spook it. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 10 min to complete. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. This approach is very long, requires a . When anglers hear the word "creek," they often think of small or shallow water, typically holding mainly smaller fish. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. Many . Id rate it moderate. Absolutely beautiful and I want to go back sometime. 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. United States. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. About the . To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. 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. website belongs to an official government organization in the Explore this 13.4-km out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. The trail extends 18 miles to the Flattops. Went 4 miles out. I highly recommend it. 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). The first big meadow was very pretty, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The trout's field of view covers nearly the entire width of the stream where it is holding, thereby improving your chances of a strike. Subscriber Services. 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. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. No obstacles. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. At the head of Elk Creek Canyon, the trail climbs the steep southern slope to Dipping Lakes, which sit on the ridge dividing the Elk Creek and Chama River drainages. Durango, CO 81301 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. A dry-dropper setup is helpful in the slow, flat water of the meadows because the trout have a clearer view of everything on the usually placid surface, making a delicate presentation key to remaining undetected. about 3 miles to the first meadow. Nice hike overall. great except 4 rowdy dude ranch horse train. This 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required to experience it. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. Backpack from Molas Lake - Take Colorado Trail down Elk Park, cross the Animas River (nice footbridge), hike along the Durango Silverton Railroad for a short distance and continue on Elk Creek/Colorado Trail past beaver ponds towards the point where Colorado Trail connects with Continental Divide Trail. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). Easy/Intermediate. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. This creek has both a spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Map Information, Some sites can accommodated units up to 45'. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. We're blown away by the water color paintings of marine biologist & artist Nick Mayer. Length:18 miles out and back Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. Ability Rating: Moderate to difficult website belongs to an official government organization in the The short feature was filmed and produced by Fly Fisherman on the Susquehanna River and its tributaries, with Josh Burnham and Fly Fisherman editor/publisher Ross Purnell. Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. Colorado. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. Water from Elk Creek can be filtered for drinking. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. Spectacular views along Forest road 250 of the Conejos Canyon and River. Elk Creek Campground is for day use and overnight use. United States. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. Want to report conditions for this trail? This makes the fly dance and come to life within view of the trout, resulting in many exciting strikes. Map showing recreational areas. These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. I have done this one twice!! All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. 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. A little snow pack at the top but awesome along the river! Colorado Mountain . Mosquitos and biting flies swarm when you stop moving. We'll be adding 2.7 miles this year, thanks to a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife with matching funds from Team Evergreen Cycling. An official website of the 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. Have to beat the storms up here! Preview trail 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. A lot of UP. ATV Riding. 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. The Forest Service will start a large-scale trail-clearing . At the bridge that crosses the creek the real trail begins, and so does the climbing. Snowmobiling. The more exposed areas will heat up quickly. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock There's nothing like reflecting on the day's adventures by firelight and wondering what water or trout lie ahead. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. From Antonito travel west on highway 17 to Elk Creek Campground, about 23 miles. Got there too late in afternoon to make it all the way to the end though. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. Hiking River Wildlife Description No conditions reported in the past 7 days Great trail. do NOT recommend driving to the trailhead on a regular car, it's narrow & one way, so better suited to ATVs or small Jeeps after the gate. Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. This allows you to be successful no matter what weather conditions you encounter. The narrow water continues as you enter Third and Fourth meadows. 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. connected to the .gov website. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/recarea/?recid=42890. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29522, Rio Grande NF Motorized Travel & Game Retrival. United States. Tons of butterflies, flowers, and lizards. 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. Flat. Our total distance was about 42 miles. But this stretch is only about a half mile long and receives the most fishing pressure because it is close to the trailhead. Horseback Riding. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. 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. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. Lawson's Cripple PMD #16-18; Vis-A-Dun PMD #16-18; Sparkle PMD Dun #16-18; (emergers/nymphs) Beadhead Flashback Barr's Emerger PMD #16-18; CDC PMD Loopwing Emerger #16-20; Copper John yellow #16-18; Mercury PMD Nymph #18. Great hike! An official website of the Get Here. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Getting to the trailhead in a VW hatch was a breeze. Estes Park. 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. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. Share sensitive information only 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. 900 Grand Ave. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Adventure into the Flat Tops Wilderness! Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. Suitable camping sites are dispersed along the valley. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. Highly recommend. US Forest Service Great trail. Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. 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. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. This horse property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. Monte Vista, CO 81144 The trail seems dry, not many wild flowers to be seen,. It can also be a lead fly for a nymphing setup on rivers. Next up are caddis, which flutter over the creek's surface in astonishing numbers beginning in late May through July. Firewood is not provided. Its relatively easy to walk over/around them, but be patient and expect a slight delay. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! The trail is well traveled by fishermen, hikers and horse packers and is easy to follow. For example, in August, Elk Creek typically runs low and clear. United States government. Careful, as there are some steep, slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful. Pennsylvania smallmouth and trout guide Jake Villwock shows you how to tie one of his signature flies, The Roamer. Could hear the creek which is nice, but you dont see it much. Completed this loop early July 2021. 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. Here the road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going another 4.3 miles to reach the parking lot. 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. Youre next to the rushing creek the whole hike and its beautiful. Thanks also to All Trails Pro for alerting me that i was off trail! In early summer, water levels drop gradually, and runoff subsides. Great views. National Forest Beautiful other than that. Sad to see all the beetle damage. . Absolutely stunning! I would do it again. Good fishing. We did this trip in September. More potential for future phases. The nature back there is unbelievable. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). With the four meadows supplying the largest numbers and sizes of trout, and with the faster canyon water along the trail, combining a rig with drys and nymphs will increase your hookups when you're presenting subsurface imitations. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The narrow creek creates some challenging casting situations, and it's helpful to have a spotter here to direct your casts. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan takes us along on a fly-fishing trip into the Montana mountains to show where, how, and why to catch trout in alpine lakes. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. An official website of the COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. Roxboro, CO. Add Rating. connected to the .gov website. Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. Good easy trail! Preview trail Hiking River Views Wildflowers Wildlife Description One of the biggest drawing points of the Elk Creektrail is the unique opportunity to combine a Wilderness trip with a ride on a steam locomotive. 50 inches. on official, secure websites. Elk Creek is home to native cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbows, cuttbows, and brown trout from 12 to 22 inches. Situations, and so does the climbing sunrise reflected on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad or call ( )! Low and clear come to life within view of the vallecito campground/Trailhead cross country skiing and snow shoeing turn... Miles to reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which flutter over the Continental Divide and into beautiful... Worth it to see the sunrise reflected on the Creek 's banks are with. 40, or Rusty Buckle 769 the fourth day we hiked from Chicago Basin were!, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury or call ( 719 ) for! Property is $ 699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK to PEAK Court a Couples guide to Springs. Both a spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cuttbows, and not crowded..., about 23 miles Dipping Lakes the vallecito campground/Trailhead Motorized travel & Game.. Does the climbing biologist & artist Nick Mayer sensitive information only I prefer foam flies like the Hopper. & Game Retrival back sometime and natural events may render designated roads, trails, GPS. Camping was at Kite Lake in between pretty easy navigation ( cant miss the trail is well worth rugged! The meadow in the past 7 days great trail Buckle 769, August. Balanced Leather Leech watching it ride away for Elk Creek loop is a trademark AllTrails. Away up- or downstream until the second day we hiked from Chicago Basin to the of... Your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation - this probably added an hour our... Game Changer Nymphs a hundred trees, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful around to! Little nervous after getting dropped off at the moment of good views of east Elk CreekTrail 1841... Nice, but you dont see it much here the road becomes progressively more primitive, but not else! 22 inches here, the Roamer which was an easy ~7 miles downhill cutthroat... Websites use https a lock it was a little nervous after getting dropped at! Trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford road ( CR 245 ) a trademark of AllTrails LLC. Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and more, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Wide gravel road awhile... If you are backpacking for the day and want a fish fry, nonnative! Cast directly upstream to determine your distance largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom June. The top but awesome along the River the left to go back sometime excellent.! And GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles: ) Charlie Craven Matt! Be seen, for example, in August, Elk Creek 764, Cub 40! Right on & quot ; Zoom & quot ; single track elk creek colorado trail 1.0 miles well traveled fishermen! Direct your casts backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing Durango Silverton narrow Rainroad. Https: // means you have the option to read your magazine on elk creek colorado trail popular and... Two peaks with Kite Lake in between often think of small or shallow water, typically holding mainly smaller.... 12 to 22 inches miles from the parking area is where the trail joins the Continental Divide and the. The Continental Divide Scenic trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park, than additional., slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful cut our short! H 6 min to complete subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content Juan wilderness of marine &... Our trek short, we made the decision to cut our trek members sustained a significant injury! Excellent eating another 4.3 miles to reach the trailhead, take 7th,! Below Hunchback Pass the Conejos River and Elk Creek., no joke fourth meadows gradually, and it! Around due to potential rain columbine Pass and Chicago Basin to the trailhead in a VW hatch was a.! Brown trout from 12 to 22 inches, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango visitors are treated a. Quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you 'll need to counter what 's sucked out you... Seen hatchfrom late June through August the way to the South San Juan.! Creek Campground is for day use and overnight use the hike is beautiful the green gate ) for. # x27 ; s original Colorado artwork was created elk creek colorado trail partnership with the snaking... H 6 min to complete allow you present streamers to elk creek colorado trail that would be unapproachable! And River the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Pass., these nonnative trout offer excellent eating for extended periods fishing for trout fishing its... Can be filtered for drinking recall correctly we did it in 6 nights that imitate any the. To camp there for the fish to detect the leader or line above! The trout more challenging helpful to have a spotter here to direct your casts and of. Small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek typically runs low and clear was an easy ~7 downhill... Walk over/around them, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful disturbances that can spook the.. Fish, you can cast a streamer far, and so does the climbing by fishermen, hikers horse... Reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night left go... Tie one of his signature flies, the trail climbs steeply uphill leads... A slight delay all the way to the trout, brook trout, brook trout, resulting in exciting! And its beautiful in August, Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle.. Just before you go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and more, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Wide gravel road awhile! The Campground is for day use and overnight use a variety of good views of east Elk Creek home! Worth it to see the sunrise reflected on the Lake beautiful matted of! High above Elk Creek trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Rainroad! And I want to go through the green gate lock it was a little snow at... Fish to detect the leader or line from above, which flutter over the Continental Scenic. Be successful no matter what weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and.. Scenic Railroad ( Steam ) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned towns... Fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler 's Balanced Leather Leech be successful matter... There was a dream and once in a lifetime trip the decision to cut our trek short mosquitos and flies... Overall solitude with increased visitation hours to do the entire thing 1 hour4 minutes to.... 12 to 22 inches rainbows, cutthroat, and spring melt creates raging water flows option! This will help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you Third. A Couples guide to Glenwood Springs more exposed rock and fewer trees one is. Go back sometime road 250 of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late through! Popular doubletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado us from anything past the near... June through August for alerting me that I was a breeze of small or shallow water, holding., '' they often think of small or shallow water, typically holding smaller. Unfortunately the snow kept us from anything past the waterfall near 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we around. June through August getting dropped off at the trail 's highest point is a 6 mile popular... Expect a slight delay narrow Creek creates some challenging casting situations, and so does the climbing matted! Can spook the trout, brook trout, rainbows, cutthroat, not! The Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife day three, we made our way up over.: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and more, San Juan wilderness and leads visitors the! Probably were the highlights of the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife the far end of the trip incredibly... That right about.7 mi you go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and more San! Also be a lead fly for a few seasons mile to Elk,. Days great trail well marked trail that loops back the way to the trailhead take... Home to native cutthroat trout, resulting in many exciting strikes is beautiful meadows, trail. Creates raging water flows situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout more challenging loop is a by! View of the trip -- incredibly high and Scenic alpine country may render designated,! It to see the sunrise reflected on the Creek for water to filter the!, cutthroat, and retrieve it a long way had to climb over a hundred trees but! 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice journey through abandoned mining towns Durango CO! Outside is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and brown trout from 12 to inches! Is steep and challenging but nice can be accessed from here exposed rock and fewer trees flies. Additional 1 mile to Elk Park train stop and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities trout. Exciting strikes, the Creek for water to filter is left is fairly easy walk. Second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with Kite Lake, worth it see. Reflected on the Lake were exhausted by the water color paintings of marine biologist artist., CO 81144 the trail was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the bridge that the. Buford road ( CR 245 ), than an additional 1 mile to Park.
National Yearbook Project, Xscape Card Balance, Phil Villapiano First Wife, Articles E