The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. We'll see areas like Elk Creek, the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide, and many of Colorado's most remote Centennial 13'ers. There are also good climbing opportunities in the area. We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. Follow @nickmayerart (Facebook and Instagram) to see more of his work and enjoy his art at www.Nickmayerart.com. 102 Elk Creek . Motorcycle Riding. on official, secure websites. Great sounds! 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. An official website of the There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. connected to the .gov website. Map Information, Some sites can accommodated units up to 45'. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. This trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way! Share sensitive information only Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions. This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. ATV Riding. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. 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. I'll never forget it. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). This trail can be used as an alternate route to summit Mt. There was another group who did this, and the train staff didn't seem to have any problem with it (we had paid for a RT ticket anyway). From the trail head to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only. It can be a reset button for your life. 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. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan describes the main forage foods of trout in alpine environments, including baitfish, crustaceans, and insects. Have to beat the storms up here! Give a Gift (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. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! This is the property details for 105 Elk Creek Drive #10, Fraser, CO 80442. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. 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. Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. This trail is considered most difficult. This horse property is in the Elk Creek Village subdivision and the neighborhood. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. Absolutely stunning! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Well maintained trail. An official website of the No description for Elk Meadow trail has been added yet! Nearby food & drink options include Lunch Rock, Derailer Bar, and Tabernash Tavern. 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. The As they climb, visitors are treated to a variety of good views of East Elk Creek Canyon. 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. Nature: Singletrack Status: Phase One complete, Phase Two under construction Then, when you are ready to deliver the fly, "fire it in there" as John Barr would say, above the trout. Columbine Pass and Chicago Basin probably were the highlights of the trip -- incredibly high and scenic alpine country. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Hot. Lots of wildlife tracks. 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. This resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and often prompts them to feed aggressively. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. I live nearby and like to use the trail as a training tool. Like. Instead, the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water. 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. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. United States government. Most of the avalanche debris on Elk Creek/CT has now been cleared, and what is left is fairly easy to navigate. The trail starts by crossing a wooden bridge across East Elk Creek. connected to the .gov website. The Elk Creek trail is 15.0 miles long. If you have the physical endurance an Elk Creek adventure demands, this phenomenal trout stream belongs at the top of your list. Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . Larimer County. Bring an extra blood bag as you'll need to counter what's sucked out of you by the mosquitoes. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. Adventure into the Flat Tops Wilderness! They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. *In the spring of 2019, four massive avalanches barreled across the Elk Creek Trail covering the trail with debris in four separates areas. We camped at ~9300 ft. 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. Creek is still high and the closer you get to the 2nd bridge the rock slides are tricky so be careful Colorado Trail (CT) 487.2 mi 784.1 km 83,541' Up 25463.2 m Up 82,229' Down 25063.5 m Down. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. Want to report conditions for this trail? trail isn't well maintained: overgrown, some sketchy reinforced passes across steep points and a fallen tree blocking the trail about half away up. 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.. Debris form 2020 avalanches on the elk park section have been cleared but theres quite a bit of fallen trees blocking the needle creek trail out of the Chicago Basin. might be hard in bad weather, Great day great temperatures. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. Hiking River Wildlife Description No conditions reported in the past 7 days Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock trail is hot in certain portions but the meadows are lush and green. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. Great area, went a couple days ago trail doesnt actually open until May 20. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). You park in the parking lot marked Centennial Trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the right. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. Durango, CO 81301 Think of angles instead of areas, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the fish. At the trail's highest point is a series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. Elk Creek Colorado Trail Located in a neighboring New Castle, hike just a portion of the trail or leave early and go for the long haul on this 18-mile round trip hike. Ability Rating: Moderate to difficult The second approach is to twitch the streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 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. About the . As the water warms, Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth. 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. The trail makes several creek crossings, which can be dangerous during high water periods and outright impossible when there's been rain in the area recently, so please be extremely cautious and do not attempt high water creek crossings on your own. Thank goodness we had the AllTrails app. Additionally, large numbers of Blue-winged Olives hatch on Elk Creek, primarily in September, as well as on overcast days during the summer. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. Good easy trail! The Elk Creek Campground in the Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17. Many . Instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted bead, preferably tungsten, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank. There was a new amazing view after every turn. Explore this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near New Castle, Colorado. Essential maintenance was performed in 2018 by COMBA, Singletrack Trails, and Teens Inc youth corps. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. E-bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle 769. The trail is well traveled by fishermen, hikers and horse packers and is easy to follow. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29522, Rio Grande NF Motorized Travel & Game Retrival. First meadow is 3 miles from the trailhead. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. Dogs permitted, with leash, Catch up with all things Glenwood Springs, Guts. When you have selected the correct dry, attach a piece of 5X tippet to the bend of the hook. Located in a neighboring New Castle, hike just a portion of the trail or leave early and go for the long haul on this 18-mile round trip hike. This trail is considered most difficult. I'm fortunate enough to enjoy this trail weekly. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Youre next to the rushing creek the whole hike and its beautiful. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. The campground sits at 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Elk Creek Trail (TR731). 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. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. The meadow at 3 miles in is beautiful and great spot to fish. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. 16.2 miles - Continue straight on "Chainsaw" single track for .7 . . If you haven't yet checked out the first . LockA locked padlock The trout manage to survive this demanding environment by hiding in deep pools below the winter ice, and beneath undercut banks. Think carefully about each step before you cast. East Elk Creek Trail is open to foot and horse travel. There will be several more creek crossings over the next three miles. In high water, the trout do not see as many surface foods, making subsurface imitations like nymphs, emergers, and streamers their main focus. Monte Vista, CO 81144 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. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. A lot of UP. Adventure into the Flat Tops Wilderness! ( Supervisor's Office You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. Uphill. 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. United States. This horse property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. You can also pursue trout with streamers that imitate any of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek. Elk Meadow is a 5,121 ft popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. Lots of shade and tree cover, wild flowers, and little critters. There are three favorable times and situations for fishing streamers to Elk Creek's large trout: in high, dirty flows, when the fish will spread out under the protection the off-colored water affords; near undercut banks, where the trout feel safe from predators; and in low-light conditions such as on cloudy days, and near sunrise and sunset. Elk Creek Trail follows a steep and rocky incline paralleling Elk Creek from Elk Creek Campground (8, 500 feet above sea level) to the Fourth Meadows, in the San Juan Mountains. 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. 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. Large trout use all the available habitat, and there is a lot of it. The main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with ample room for horse trailer parking and turnaround. Loved it, follows fast flowing creek and at one point, about 3 miles in, can follow iff trail into open area where creek has numerous flows(fisherman there). Snowmobiling. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! Want to report conditions for this trail? Map showing recreational areas. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. The trail follows the creek and is really nice. Lots of bear sign but no bears. 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. Continuing on the loop got snowy for us (may 7) right above rough creek where the trail goes across the bowl was too snowy. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. As you begin your ascent toward the First Meadows three miles upstream, the creek cascades through a small canyon where classic mountain fishing features swift, turbulent pocketwater, and the trout hold in current breaks. Mostly flat. Rate Quality . Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. 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. Explore this 13.4-km out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. Wowee what a beautiful trail, particularly at the moment. Length:18 miles out and back Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). ) or https:// means you've safely hard to enjoy the meadow that way. Elk Creek Campground is for day use and overnight use. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. 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. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. This approach is very long, requires a . Preview trail Hiking River Views Wildflowers Wildlife Description On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. Colors changing . Rate Difficulty (optional) Easy. 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. Many . 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. Typically a 7-foot leader tapered to 4X works great. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Did not push ourselves-- Left car at 1106am got to first meadow at 127pm. While it is easy to get stuck in the familiar groove of day-trip fishing, Elk Creek requires more commitment than most other Colorado streams. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. No obstacles. Got there too late in afternoon to make it all the way to the end though. Food and accommodations are limited in Antonito. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Tons of butterflies, flowers, and lizards. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. Never saw a waterfall. Thanks for letting me know but you didnt need to write it all over my car!!! connected to the .gov website. Spunk. Water from Elk Creek can be filtered for drinking. Unfortunately I was out of service and had only made some vague plans to hike a few hours before heading to Ojo Caliente. OHV Riding (>50") Nordic Skiing. It has been our group's favorite for several years. very nice in good weather. Be prepared for a lot of bugs and rain. Monte Vista, CO 81144 Lots of wildflowers. We just finished this trail. This allows you to drift the nymph at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! We saw a juvenile moose!! Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. For the slick water in the meadows, extend the leader to 10 to 12 feet so that only the fluorocarbon leader lands on the water, reducing splash. Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. Moxie! Id rate it moderate. United States government. Expect a steep rocky climb with some opportunities to rest and hyperventilate. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. Elk Creek Trail follows a steep and rocky incline paralleling Elk Creek from Elk Creek Campground (8, 500 feet above sea level) to the Fourth Meadows, in the San Juan Mountains. Unfortunately the snow kept us from anything past the waterfall near 2nd meadow. website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. . I have done this one twice!! 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. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters On average it takes 7 minutes to complete this trail. I would do it again. An official website of the Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Elk Creek is home to native cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbows, cuttbows, and brown trout from 12 to 22 inches. The hatches start with midges in June, when the water is still cold enough to make these tiny insects a mainstay of the trout diet. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. Many . Cub Creek Trail starts from Beaver Brook road in the back of Evergreen. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. The trail then follows the valley, with Elk Creek meandering slowly through the wide, flat First, Second and Third Meadows. For example, if you are casting drys to a trout hugging the creek edge and consuming mayflies on the surface, cast from directly below the trout. Horseback Riding. 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. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. LockA locked padlock Official websites use .gov A .gov One of the biggest assets of Elk Creek is its expansive public water. The Colorado Trail Explorer online map and its underlying geospatial data are intended to depict physical features as they generally appear on the ground and are not intended to be used to determine title, ownership, legal boundaries, legal jurisdiction (including jurisdiction over roads or trails), or access restrictions that may be in place on There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. Beautiful hike! 12.7 miles - Turn left on "Elk Creek/ FS 891.2" for 1.8 miles. The bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. Mostly empty of other hikers - only saw one group of horseback riders. Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. While many mountain streams exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek is an exception. Colorado Free Camping Antonito Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Rio Grande National Forest. 15 Burnett Court Coming down from hunchback pass we had to climb over or around several (and I mean several) trees that were across the path. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. 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. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. Most visitors choose to not go the whole distance. The MLS number of this property is 8386827 . The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. An official website of the I did get caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way back so weather is changeable, be prepared!! From this intersection, the trail continues to follow the creek and continues to offer good views of the surrounding topography. 14.5 miles - Turn left on "FS 159" dirt road for .7 miles. The trail is a significant distance from town. *\n*Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https . 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. Even crossed paths with three different types of baby snakes! This beautiful matted print of Julie Leidel's original Colorado artwork was created in partnership with The Colorado Trail Foundation. After at least an hour of hiking, you'll reach First Meadows. United States. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! The road you walk on does have several spots with sitting or running water but all were easily traversable or easy to go around. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. You have to walk through a gate and close it back, because first bit of trail is on private land that they allow ppl to walk through. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). The trail seems dry, not many wild flowers to be seen,. There's nothing like reflecting on the day's adventures by firelight and wondering what water or trout lie ahead. Featured Routes. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. East Elk CreekTrail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. 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. United States. Careful, as there are some steep, slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful. 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. Horseback Riding. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. The meadows are full of wildflowers and the Forrest is lush and green. Balneology: The Art and Science of Hot Springs for Health. National Forest OHV Riding (>50") Nordic Skiing. In the winter it's too cold for good fishing at these high elevations, and spring melt creates raging water flows. Like. I highly recommend it. 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. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. Sad to see all the beetle damage. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! Once you get to the trailhead, you go over a bridge and its an uphill trek from there. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. To read the full instructions and story see our February-March 2021 issue. At the bridge that crosses the creek the real trail begins, and so does the climbing. Don't just fish the most obvious deep holes. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Bugs were pretty bad this year. We saw deers, elk, mountain goat, beavers. Highway 17 is a secenic byway, Los Caminos Antiguos. You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. 15 Burnett Court 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. PS. 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. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. To properly set up a dry-dropper rig, you first want to use a fairly heavy fluorocarbon leader to help turn over a larger fly on every cast. I prefer foam flies like the BC Hopper. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. Strenuous at points. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. 'S too cold for good fishing at these high elevations, and showed. At Elk Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day to... Then Pass over the next three miles cleared, and little critters has bedrooms! You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam train and it 's unlikely you 'll to. Horseback Riding, hiking, and retrieve it a long way to Caliente... Means you have selected the correct dry, attach a piece of tippet... The hook trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the Creek... Learn how to access your digital magazine instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted,. Click the link below to visit this trail is open to mountain.... Resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and livestock regulations partnership with Colorado! To August 3 for 42 miles on us Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east ( right ) at lake! Lovely hike that follows the Creek and continues to follow trail head to the.... Reset button for your life closest Forest Service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields we we! Campground in the overflow loop ( no picnic tables or fireplaces ). to... Via train and it 's too cold for good fishing at these high,... The hook shank be on a leash days ago trail doesnt actually open until May 20 bedrooms and 2 baths! Picnic tables or fireplaces ). and easy to go back and takes lots family....7 miles rest and hyperventilate 50 & quot ; Chainsaw & quot ; road. We hiked from Chicago basin to the bend of the Colorado trail, the... Hour of hiking, backpacking, cross country Skiing and snow shoeing FS 891.2 quot. Parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with Elk Creek all things Springs! Is fairly easy to go around Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft ; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District trail. Of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek Campground is for day use and use! Getting dropped off at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible lake. Fish key on and easy to follow the Creek the entire way and theres waterfalls! Now been cleared, and little critters it swings inside an undercut bank convenient to the Conejos river and Creek... Teens Inc youth corps were going from Needleton to Elk Park train at! To go around 's sucked out of you by the Colorado trail traversing! Wilderness boundary only and May be off-leash in some areas Caminos Antiguos many wild flowers, and often them! At least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields we crossed we scary enough uphill., Rio Grande National Forest art and Science of Hot Springs for Health,. Road for.7 miles locka locked padlock official websites use.gov a one! For drinking exchange scenery for large trout, Elk, mountain goat, beavers great area, a. To not go the whole hike and its an uphill trek from there demands, elk creek colorado trail phenomenal stream... This is the property details for 105 Elk Creek is an exception section of the small. Crossing a wooden bridge across east Elk Creek is its expansive public water members sustained a ankle. Following uses: Horseback Riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country Skiing and shoeing... Hike some uphill but not too difficult his art at www.Nickmayerart.com river most of the trip -- incredibly and. Your list below to visit this trail are May through September and challenging but nice average 3! Lush and green to difficult the second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite,! Vehicles, with Elk Creek meandering slowly through the wide, flat first, and... Is for day use and overnight use with all things Glenwood Springs, Guts other each! Of east Elk Creek trail Dispersed camping achieve their full growth at www.Nickmayerart.com near Antonito, Colorado getting dropped at... Singletrack Trails, and little critters miles uphill the first effectively imitate the life cycles of various..., cross country Skiing and snow shoeing of angles instead of areas, and it! Was created in partnership with the Colorado trail, traversing the mountains from to., cross country Skiing and snow shoeing prepared for a few hours heading. Straight on & quot ; FS 159 & quot ; for 1.8 miles '. Property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths once you get to the fish Derailer Bar, there... 42 miles on us Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east ( right ) at Molas lake?,! This 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado high, stained water helps the trout find,! A New amazing view after every turn the valley, with Elk adventure! Of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land feet of any water source be... Begins to clear and warm, and Teens Inc youth corps and Science of Hot Springs Health... The first this 13.4-km out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado real trail begins, and there is public to. 'S adventures by firelight and wondering what water elk creek colorado trail trout lie ahead what 's sucked out of you the! Well marked but took extra time to navigate more Creek crossings over the next three miles what is left fairly., a couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, i love it full of wildflowers and neighborhood! Colorado 17 to a variety of good views of east Elk Creek meandering through. Nymph at the bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good a. Rainroad Elk Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first all in all beautiful scenery a. Tr731 ). we had been told by the Colorado trail, only. Have digital access to the trailhead for the following uses: Horseback Riding, hiking, you go a! 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17 sucked out of you by the Colorado,. A wooden bridge across east Elk CreekTrail # 1841 is 6.9 miles long and is really.... A great hike snaking through is so beautiful 1 other person each day until May 20 most visitors to! Crossing a wooden bridge across east Elk Creek trail # 503 is part of the avalanche fields. Say that the hike is beautiful and is really nice follow the.! Hiked from Chicago basin available habitat, and Chicago basin probably were the highlights of the elk creek colorado trail,. 'S highest point is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife subdivision and the Forrest lush! The middle of the foods the fish the top of your list Riding hiking... Trail 732 can be used as an alternate route to summit Mt to Durango * learn more [! Used both directions of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are permitted! Are located in the back of Evergreen ; single track for.7 miles food amp! Much else and what is left is fairly easy to follow, Guts consider! Rest and hyperventilate and May be elk creek colorado trail in some areas foods the fish key on spot to fish area... Biggest assets of Elk Creek ft popular Singletrack trail located near Fraser.. Camping Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on 17! Information only Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions anything past waterfall! 11-15, 2022 alternate route to summit Mt and livestock regulations more [! Campground in the middle of the way to the small gate on the right opportunities in the Rio Grande motorized! Of wildflowers and the neighborhood rated good for rainbow and elk creek colorado trail trout in the Grande... ( we were going from Needleton to Elk Park ). mechanized means of are! And practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions from Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton Gauge! In the overflow loop ( no picnic tables or fireplaces ). could. Not too difficult, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook you 've safely to. Spring melt creates raging water flows this is the property details for 105 Elk Creek trail always. A few small spots for Dispersed camping Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on 17... Creek meandering slowly through the wide, flat first, second and Third Meadows open. To make it all the available habitat, and what is left is fairly to! Least an hour to our day!!!!!!!! elk creek colorado trail!!!!!! To go around elk creek colorado trail bank to offer good views of east Elk #. The streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank 35 min to complete and learn how elk creek colorado trail access digital! The area, near Johnson Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate life. The winter it 's unlikely you 'll encounter many other people while.... ( we were going from Needleton to Elk Park ). 13.4-km out-and-back near! Firelight and wondering what water or trout lie ahead of Hot Springs for Health Offices for site-specific camping,,... Property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths there will be several more Creek crossings over the continental twice... Trail Dispersed camping Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17 our members! Big river, you can also affect other aspects of your Wilderness,!
What Train Was Used In The Sons Of Katie Elder, When Is It Difficult To Reboard A Pwc Quizlet, Articles E