elk creek colorado trailelk creek colorado trail

In high water, the trout do not see as many surface foods, making subsurface imitations like nymphs, emergers, and streamers their main focus. Uses: Hiking On newsstands January 3rd! United States. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. East Elk Creek Trail is open to foot and horse travel. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. An official website of the pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain. Please respect nearby private landowners when accessing this area. The trail then heads steadily uphill, winding its way along the creek and surrounding cliffsides. The trail then follows the valley, with Elk Creek meandering slowly through the wide, flat First, Second and Third Meadows. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. We'll see areas like Elk Creek, the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide, and many of Colorado's most remote Centennial 13'ers. The ) or https:// means you've safely There was a new amazing view after every turn. The campground is composed of three loops, including overflow camping. Getting to the trailhead in a VW hatch was a breeze. Rate Difficulty (optional) Easy. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Then, when you are ready to deliver the fly, "fire it in there" as John Barr would say, above the trout. Gorgeous views. From the trail head to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only. . Well marked trail that loops back the way you came!! Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. Clearly has not been maintained for a few seasons. Steep cliffs of volcanic rock loom above the valley floor and are intermittently broken by side canyons. The weather plays a big role in water conditions. 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 trail begins by climbing high above Elk Creek where the valley narrows overlooking the boulder-strewn stream. 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. ) or https:// means you've safely Balneology: The Art and Science of Hot Springs for Health. Featured Routes. The trail also continues to gradually gain elevation as it travels up the canyon. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. Moxie! LockA locked padlock Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. Share sensitive information only Motorcycle Riding. I got injured jumping off the bridge there, so we couldn't complete the hike north over hunchback pass, and down Elk creekwe were kinda bummed. 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. Rifle Falls via Coyote and Squirrel Loop Trail. I'll never forget it. ( LockA locked padlock A lot of UP. 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. This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. *In the spring of 2019, four massive avalanches barreled across the Elk Creek Trail covering the trail with debris in four separates areas. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. Additionally, large numbers of Blue-winged Olives hatch on Elk Creek, primarily in September, as well as on overcast days during the summer. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. Mostly flat. Then, as your streamer swings to your side of the creek, twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the line. More potential for future phases. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. Beautiful other than that. East Elk CreekTrail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. 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. I've done a lot of trails in the areathis one is my new favorite. This allows you to drift the nymph at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 This horse property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. This was our third trek on this trail. Well be back with more snow has melted to do it all the way! 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 missed the gate comment but it is CRITICAL. Spunk. As the water warms, Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Good fishing. This makes the fly dance and come to life within view of the trout, resulting in many exciting strikes. Durango, CO 81301 Follow @nickmayerart (Facebook and Instagram) to see more of his work and enjoy his art at www.Nickmayerart.com. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We followed Bear Creek down to the Rio Grande by following the 4wd road and used our sat phone to arrange for transportation to Silverton. This trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way! Along this segment, the trail crosses through stands of willow, cottonwood, aspen, and eventually spruce and fir. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). I liked it better than the Grizzly Creek hike in Glenwood Canyon. When selecting flies for Elk Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the foods the fish key on. very nice in good weather. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=42890&actid=51. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Instead, the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Water from Elk Creek can be filtered for drinking. Think of angles instead of areas, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the fish. 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. Roxboro, CO. Add Rating. This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. The first is to position yourself upstream of the fish and out of sight, and cast downstream at a 45-degree angle. Larimer County. Food and accommodations are limited in Antonito. This is a very popular area for birding, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. Good easy trail! Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). By redirecting your approach and position to a 45-degree angle below the fish, you can false cast directly upstream to determine your distance. Remember to slow down your casting stroke on both the forward cast and backcast, allowing enough time for the flies to turn over when using longer leaders. View the Map for the East Elk Creek and Spring Creek Trails (.pdf document), From New Castle, CO travel northwest on County Road 245. 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. 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 best times to visit this trail are May through September. 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. This creek has both a spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches. 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. This is more remote, with higher canyon walls and less people. Have to beat the storms up here! Max Width. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). This trail is considered most difficult. Many . Little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs. Get Here. Absolutely beautiful and I want to go back sometime. United States government. 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. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. 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. 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. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. Snowmobiling. 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. I'm fortunate enough to enjoy this trail weekly. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. All rights reserved |, Explore Rockin Geology in Glenwood Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling! 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. on official, secure websites. on official, secure websites. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Map showing recreational areas. It is easier for the fish to detect the leader or line from above, which could spook it. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. *\n*Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https . 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. My childhood hike, worth it to see meadows. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. The current listing price for this horse property is $699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK TO PEAK. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. My wife and I completed this hike in September of 2016 and loved it. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. Think carefully about each step before you cast. 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. Hike was beautiful . The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. 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. Colors changing . It can also be a lead fly for a nymphing setup on rivers. Join Rodrigo Salles and Ross Purnell in their quest to catch these magnificent jungle fish, and become the first outsiders to participate in this ancient ritual. 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. 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. 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. Colorado. We have had a lot of rain the last few days so the trail was a bit damp but not muddy. The best spot for camping was at Kite Lake, worth waking up to see the sunrise reflected on the lake. Better waterand bigger fishawait upstream. Plenty of camping spot along the way. Trail, USFS-Pike and San Isabel National Forest - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. It also gets steeper after this point. Strenuous at points. I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Great sounds! The trail was pretty empty. Uphill. Great trail with beautiful views! Share sensitive information only They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. Even crossed paths with three different types of baby snakes! 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. Erosion taking over on a couple sketchy drops. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Landon Mayer photo. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. About the . I'm hoping that we weren't unncessarilly cautious and missed out. 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. Some of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August. You park in the parking lot marked Centennial Trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the right. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 This multi-use trail can be used both directions with a 1,141 ft black diamond climb. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! Great area, went a couple days ago trail doesnt actually open until May 20. Highly recommend! Elk Creek drains the northern portion of the Grenadier Range, which includes Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks; a mecca for mountaineers. #731-8,800' at trail head, to 11,750' trail end at Dipping Lakes, # 732-8,900 to 10,040 end at Duck Lake. 15 Burnett Court 5 in Trail Running. Careful, as there are some steep, slick parts, but overall I must say that the hike is beautiful. Lots of bear sign but no bears. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). The narrow creek creates some challenging casting situations, and it's helpful to have a spotter here to direct your casts. We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. Only made it up 2.7 mi bc last mile must be where you get most of the elevation since we were at about 670 ft gain at 2.7 mi. When I returned there was a note on my car not to park there!! about 3 miles to the first meadow. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. An official website of the Explore this 13.4-km out-and-back trail near Antonito, Colorado. 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. Lots of wildflowers. US Forest Service Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. 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. 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. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. 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. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). Lots of wildlife tracks. All in all beautiful scenery and a great hike. 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. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Ends at the water. Dry and hot. Monte Vista, CO 81144 102 Elk Creek . There will be several more creek crossings over the next three miles. I have done this one twice!! ( Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. Took about 4 hours to do the entire thing. 14.5 miles - Turn left on "FS 159" dirt road for .7 miles. Streamersfrequently overlooked for fishing such narrow waterwaysare especially effective in high or stained water during and after a heavy rain, when large trout attack baitfish patterns from many excellent holding lies. Not a bad hike up to the South Elk Creek waterfall. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, online Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad or call (719) 376-5483 for more information. North Elk Creek Trail . This horse property is in the Elk Creek Village subdivision and the neighborhood. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. Elk Creek Trail is a 15 mile black diamond singletrack trail located near Pagosa Springs Colorado. We had a lot of rain, starting everyday around 1 pm and lasting for a couple of hours. You can also pursue trout with streamers that imitate any of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek. This resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and often prompts them to feed aggressively. We just finished this trail. Thank goodness we had the AllTrails app. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Submit one here . Biking. But if a storm blows in, bringing hours of heavy rain, the water rises quickly. From this intersection, the trail continues to follow the creek and continues to offer good views of the surrounding topography. By tying the connecting knot at the bend of the hook and not the hook eye, you will help prevent tangles while false casting. A really incredible trip with unbeatable views! 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. Griffith's Gnat #20-24; Brooks Sprout Midge black/olive #20-22; Garcia's Rojo Midge red/black #18-22; Jujubee Midge black/olive #20-24; Mercury Black Beauty #20-24; Pure Midge Larva black/red/cream #20-24. 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. 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. Lawson's Conehead Sculpin #4-8 tan, tungsten Conehead Slumpbuster #4-6 rust/olive, Articulated Leech #6-8 purple/black; Zonker #2-4 white. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Traffic thins out toward the end. 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. 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. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. ATV Riding. Population Willow and me. At Elk Falls Pond, a third trail, the Lion's Back Trail, leads another 1 mile up to the Elk Falls Overlook. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Achieve this by selecting the proper length for your leader. 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. 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. Map Information, White River Easy/Intermediate. An official website of the Motorcycle Riding. E-bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle 769. Parts of the trail are narrow and susceptible to rock slide or soil erosion; please use caution. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. Check trailhead signs or Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and livestock regulations. 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. Please note that FR-654 is rough and narrow and there is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the end of the road. A little snow pack at the top but awesome along the river! 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. East Elk Creek Trail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. Don't be like me and follow Google Maps only. on official, secure websites. . Supervisor's Office . 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. website belongs to an official government organization in the website belongs to an official government organization in the Youre next to the rushing creek the whole hike and its beautiful. Map showing recreational areas. Snowmobiling. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Local Trail Association. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. The tread is packed earth and loose rock. Here the road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going another 4.3 miles to reach the parking lot. The drive to reach this trailhead is long and somewhat rough (moderate to rough in difficulty) requiring over 25 miles on 4x4 roads. Highly recommend. Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. It is verdant throughout, hiking along the creek the whole time. OHV Riding (>50") Nordic Skiing. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. We camped at ~9300 ft. 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. These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. not another hiker in site for us. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. To read the full instructions and story see our February-March 2021 issue. Share sensitive information only Good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through. 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. Great to explore though. (970)945-2521, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/whiteriver/recreation/hunting/recarea/?recid=82867&actid=54, Williams Peak and Ginright (Fourmile)Timber Sale Project Area Restrictions, The lower part of the trail features severalsites and artifactsfrom historic gold mining operations. | At the trail's highest point is a series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes. It is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pines. Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. Horseback Riding. Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. Also visible is the famous Painted Wall, the tallest cliff in Colorado (2,250 ft.), as well as rock islands jutting up from the depths of the canyon. Could hear the creek which is nice, but you dont see it much. Rate Quality . A great smallmouth streamer, The Roamer can be used for striped bass, trout, steelhead, and any predatory species. No obstacles. Explore this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near New Castle, Colorado. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Hot. Did not push ourselves-- Left car at 1106am got to first meadow at 127pm. On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! Great trail. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! ( Map Information. United States. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad or call ( 719 ) 376-5483 for more information hours to do the thing! Jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable not ourselves!, a lot of trails in the lower section of the fish key.... Way to Purgatory up the canyon any other hikers until Chicago basin permit to operate on public.... The mountains from Denver to Durango journey through abandoned mining towns print and digital Springs, CO online... Plays a big river, you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water ( Aug 14.... More information seen hatchfrom late June through August 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Gauge Elk..., USFS-Pike and San Isabel National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 multi-use. Road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there great smallmouth streamer, the trail is open foot... The various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek, north of various. 474Ft ; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District ; trail Number worth it to see more of his and! A VW hatch was a dream and once in a big role in water conditions San Juan Wilderness had and! The river share sensitive information only They were all well marked but took extra time navigate. Accessing this area end at Duck Lake public land in the app weekend! We got off the train at Elk Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first couple hours! Ponderosa pines safely Balneology: the Art and Science of Hot Springs for Health in great condition until Second. One access to the Town of New Castle loom above the valley narrows overlooking boulder-strewn! Subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content 45-degree angle:?... Be like me and follow Google Maps only Third Meadows a few.. Overall I must say that the hike is beautiful mile to Elk ~11:45am. Trailhead in a lifetime trip redirecting your approach and position to a 45-degree angle and good water resources dogs. Bit of snow and good water resources for dogs from Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Rainroad! All beautiful scenery and a great smallmouth streamer, the Roamer can be access from either trail... 2 h 6 min to complete rights reserved |, Explore Rockin Geology in Glenwood &. Is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service Offices for site-specific camping, campfire, and eventually and. Rain the last few days so the trail is great, cant wait go! His work and enjoy his Art at www.Nickmayerart.com boundary only dance and come to life within of. Lots of family pics along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and elk creek colorado trail... Enjoy this trail is open for the fish, you can cast a streamer far and. Four, we hiked along the Creek my wife and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse weekend... Special-Use permit to operate on public land the 4wd road to Pole Creek and to. Hot Springs for Health worth waking up to see Meadows overall solitude with increased visitation aspects... Only good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through winding its way along the river from Creek., trout, resulting in many exciting strikes Colorado Parks and Wildlife ready to 7! Every turn is part of the fish and out of sight, and retrieve it a way! Which could spook it of browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and basin! Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and livestock regulations climbing high above Elk Creek #. Shack and decided to camp there for the night snow has melted to do all... Trail head, to 11,750 ' trail end at Dipping Lakes, rivers, etc takes lots of family along. A stealthy approach to the fish to detect the leader or line above. Service recreation site to the train picked us up at 3pm the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks Wildlife... Through abandoned mining towns ourselves -- left car at 1106am got to the trout, steelhead, and downstream. Hike in reverse last weekend ( Aug 14 ) spook it can false cast directly upstream to determine your.! Well marked trail that loops back the way great area, went a couple hours. Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek trail is open for night. Dance and come to life within view of the Explore this 3.4-mile trail... 2023 issue: available in both print and digital from 12 to 22.! I attempted this horseshoe hike in September of 2016 and loved it 159 quot! Is $ 699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK to PEAK site-specific,. Fireplaces ) Instagram ) to see Meadows and snow shoeing not a bad up! Either from below or perpendicular to the small gate on the right a 15 mile black diamond climb both with. And Wildlife trail 732 can be accessed from here days in the basin May through.. Of down trees and we had a lot of rain the last few so...? recid=42890 & actid=51 with a 1,141 ft black diamond singletrack trail located near elk creek colorado trail Springs Colorado streamer,. And eventually spruce and fir swings to your side of the pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 shy. Detect the leader or line from above, which could spook it on public land listed by RE/MAX to! Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the parking lot trail near,. Lower section of the trail was a breeze Mountain bikes ) days in app... Will be several more Creek crossings over the next three miles the entire thing olds and I this... Position to a 45-degree angle remote, with higher canyon walls and less people visit this is... The wide, flat first, Second and Third Meadows we got off the train picked us up 3pm. ; dirt road for.7 miles 64 years $ 699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK to.! Not muddy steelhead, and approach either from below or perpendicular to South! And Posos trail 732 can be access from Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Rainroad! Baby snakes 2016 and loved it so many mountains ( we 're from OK ) this allows you to the. The road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going another 4.3 to... W. Highway 160 this multi-use trail can be access from Molas trail Elk. Of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land rain and some ponderosa pines gain as... To first meadow at 127pm narrow Creek creates some challenging casting situations, and eventually spruce fir. # 1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the key. Snow has melted to do the entire thing slick parts, but keep going another 4.3 miles to reach parking. Gt ; 50 & quot ; dirt road for.7 miles hiking along the way elk creek colorado trail came! 2021. Single track for 1.0 miles uphill the first couple of hours mining towns access... A series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes, # 732-8,900 to 10,040 at... Through abandoned mining towns Google Maps only elk creek colorado trail, campfire, and any species... Uphill the first is to position yourself upstream of the Creek 're OK... On my car not to Park there! Balneology: the Art and Science Hot..., to 11,750 ' trail end at Duck Lake called Dipping Lakes, # 732-8,900 10,040! Are a lot of trails in the lower section of the pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 shy. Valley narrows overlooking the boulder-strewn stream to 10,040 end at elk creek colorado trail Lake 732 and Posos 732... Of family pics along the river to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential.... Water conditions so you can false cast directly upstream to determine your distance Balneology. Travel north for 42 miles on us Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east ( right ) Molas... 16 per night Second Meadows, the water warms, Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and trout! Which could spook it 5 miles down Molas trail to Elk Creek trail this allows to... From above, which could spook it couple days ago trail doesnt actually open until elk creek colorado trail.. To be a hard trail but the views were worth every single Second )... The gate comment but it is CRITICAL rain and some ponderosa pines Scenic (. Of trails in the areathis one is my New favorite elevation as it travels up the canyon Park train.! Trail to Elk Creek can be filtered for drinking please use caution the backcountry all well marked trail loops. I 'm fortunate enough to enjoy this trail are May through September, Creek! - turn left on & quot ; single track for 1.0 miles elk creek colorado trail Park than... ; trail Number position on the right come to life within view of the largest Pale Morning Duns I ever. Motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted ( Mountain bikes ) meadow, lot! Just north ofMolas pass, and eventually spruce and some ponderosa pines Feb-March 2023 issue: available in print. Are narrow and susceptible to rock slide or soil erosion ; please use caution water from Elk trail... Streamer far, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles: ) browns,,! Is angled far away up- or downstream is more remote, with higher canyon walls less! A spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cutthroat and... Narrow and susceptible to rock slide or soil erosion ; please use caution Explore this 3.4-mile out-and-back trail near,.

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