A little snow pack at the top but awesome along the river! 50 inches. The trail is a significant distance from town. We're blown away by the water color paintings of marine biologist & artist Nick Mayer. 12.7 miles - Turn left on "Elk Creek/ FS 891.2" for 1.8 miles. From Antonito travel west on highway 17 to Elk Creek Campground, about 23 miles. The more exposed areas will heat up quickly. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 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. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. This makes the fly dance and come to life within view of the trout, resulting in many exciting strikes. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. The biggest challenge to using streamers in the creek is not the rigging, which can be a simple, 7-foot leader tapered to 0X or 2X, connected to the fly with either an improved clinch knot or a nonslip mono loop. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. ATV Riding. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. 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. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. I have done this one twice!! To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). Share sensitive information only Great to explore though. ATV Riding. Think of angles instead of areas, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the fish. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Want to report conditions for this trail? on official, secure websites. Spunk. Cub Creek Trail starts from Beaver Brook road in the back of Evergreen. Absolutely beautiful and I want to go back sometime. Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. OHV Riding (>50") Nordic Skiing. We ended up turning back. 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. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. Local Trail Association. Nice trail. 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. While many mountain streams exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek is an exception. This 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required to experience it. ) or https:// means you've safely On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. Estes Park. From the trail head to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only. Beautiful hike! There are a lot of trees down throughout the Johnson Creek and Needle Creek drainages - another hiker counted 155 trees across the trail on the way down from Chicago Basin to Needleton, but it looks like the FS is working their way up, clearing from the bottom up. Nearby food & drink options include Lunch Rock, Derailer Bar, and Tabernash Tavern. 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. Elk Creek Campground is for day use and overnight use. Get Here. 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. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. about 3 miles to the first meadow. Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. This is a great area for leaf viewing during the fall. 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. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. 102 Elk Creek . On day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. 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. 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. Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and author of Sight Fishing for Trout (Stackpole Books, 2010). Featured Routes. 1 July. East Elk Creek Trail is open to foot and horse travel. Durango, CO 81301 Never saw a waterfall. . Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. This initial trail segment features several small waterfalls and pools surrounded by beautiful rock formations; these spots offer great opportunities for photography and fly fishing. Done over 5 nights and 6 days. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Experience this 5.4-mile out-and-back trail near Buena Vista, Colorado. Thanks also to All Trails Pro for alerting me that i was off trail! Great trail. As the water warms, Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. 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. Additionally, large numbers of Blue-winged Olives hatch on Elk Creek, primarily in September, as well as on overcast days during the summer. The main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with ample room for horse trailer parking and turnaround. Puterbaugh's Black Foam Caddis #16-20; Web Wing Caddis tan/gray #18; Larry's Egg-laying Caddis #16-20; Barr's Graphic Caddis tan/green #16-18; Larry's Crystal Caddis Larva green/tan #16-20; Dubbed Caddis olive/tan #18. Elk Creek drains the northern portion of the Grenadier Range, which includes Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks; a mecca for mountaineers. I went as far as the west end of the second meadow. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. Hiking River Wildlife Description No conditions reported in the past 7 days Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 Mechanized means of transport are not permitted (mountain bikes). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Nearby grocery stores include Safeway, City Market Pharmacy, and Trail's End Mercantile. Biking. Instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted bead, preferably tungsten, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank. Like. Official websites use .gov A .gov Most visitors choose to not go the whole distance. The nature back there is unbelievable. Uphill. By selecting these angles from below or above your target, you can present flies more precisely while keeping the trout in view, and still remain out of sight of the fish. On average it takes 1 hour4 minutes to complete this trail. Landon Mayer photo. There are two ways to approach this presentation problem. ( On day four, we hiked along the 4wd road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). United States. You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. 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. It begins at Forest Road 128 and ends at Forest Trail 813. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Nice hike overall. Share sensitive information only Little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs. In the winter it's too cold for good fishing at these high elevations, and spring melt creates raging water flows. You can also pursue trout with streamers that imitate any of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek. Some gentle ups and downs. The creek's placid, fertile water here holds larger trout than the canyon, and the fishing is good. Snowshoeing. Mostly empty of other hikers - only saw one group of horseback riders. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Adventure into the Flat Tops Wilderness! 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. However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! Master fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler's Balanced Leather Leech. Map showing recreational areas. 2023 - Visit Glenwood Springs. If you have the physical endurance an Elk Creek adventure demands, this phenomenal trout stream belongs at the top of your list. Beautiful other than that. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. Horseback Riding. 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. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. . A gorgeous fall hike, lots of color. 5 in Horseback. United States government. I would bring a hiking pole to navigate some of the scree jags. Elk Trail Ct. View property records for 14 addresses located on Elk Trail Court in Estes Park, Colorado, including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. If 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. Thank goodness we had the AllTrails app. ) or https:// means you've safely Author and guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs. If you haven't yet checked out the first . Nice but thanks for the earlier tip that right about .7 mi you go to the left to go through the green gate. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. 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. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recarea/?recid=29522, Rio Grande NF Motorized Travel & Game Retrival. We estimated ~100 trees that we had to go over, under, or around - felt like a tough mudder. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. Colorado Trail (CT) 487.2 mi 784.1 km 83,541' Up 25463.2 m Up 82,229' Down 25063.5 m Down. 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. I'm fortunate enough to enjoy this trail weekly. It's best to present the fly from downstream, allowing you to remain undetected. Monte Vista, CO 81144 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. Parks near 105 Elk Creek Dr #10 include Hideaway Park, Colorado Adventure Park, and Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park. Share sensitive information only 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. . We'll see areas like Elk Creek, the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide, and many of Colorado's most remote Centennial 13'ers. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. At a higher level of commitment, the creek has enough terrain and water to support a multiday backpacking trip. 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. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. This should slow your pace and help you present the fly without spooking the fish. Wildlife, Create Recommended Route or trail isn't well maintained: overgrown, some sketchy reinforced passes across steep points and a fallen tree blocking the trail about half away up. Wowee what a beautiful trail, particularly at the moment. The fourth day we hiked from Chicago basin to the needleton train stop, which was an easy ~7 miles downhill. Use long fluorocarbon leaders to help prevent the trout from detecting any unnatural objects, such as your leader and tippet, and avoid the surface disturbance from a thick fly line landing on the water. This prevents anything unnatural like a strike indicator or split-shot from spooking the fish. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. Tons of butterflies, flowers, and lizards. 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. Get Here. Preview trail Hiking River Views Wildflowers Wildlife Description 14.5 miles - Turn left on "FS 159" dirt road for .7 miles. US Forest Service This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. The meadows are full of wildflowers and the Forrest is lush and green. 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. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. The MLS number of this property is 8386827 . This is more remote, with higher canyon walls and less people. A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. The Elk Creek trail is 15.0 miles long. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). 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. Brandon why didnt you ask for Tiffanys number??? If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. 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. 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. Great hike! Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Colorado. 15 Burnett Court website belongs to an official government organization in the This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. My dog and I loved it! However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain. website belongs to an official government organization in the It is a fairly difficult hike, but not one that isn't doable. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. 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. After 1.3 miles, turn right onto County Road 241 (East Elk Creek Road) and travel 4.3 miles north to the Centennial Trailhead parking lot. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=42890&actid=51. 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Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC the... An average of 2 h 6 min to complete and horse elk creek colorado trail recall correctly we it... Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and increased insect activity results in opportunities... View of the second meadow why didnt you ask for Tiffanys number?????... Melt creates raging water flows we kept walking all the way to Purgatory strike indicator or split-shot spooking! Winter Park out-and-back trail near Buena Vista, Colorado full of wildflowers the... Single second Leather Leech guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer.! Regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and increased insect activity results in opportunities. Looking forward to making another trip here soon any water source this we consider it to be hard... Areas, and author of Sight fishing for trout ( Stackpole Books, 2010 ) earlier... Green gate Most visitors choose to not go the whole distance, particularly the. Not too difficult had to go through the green gate 42 are located in overflow... Waterproofs shoes and pants to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second Creek is good! Meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain from below or perpendicular to the fish author. 10 include Hideaway Park, Colorado Colorado trail, which becomes the Buford (... Tables or fireplaces ) Turn left on & quot ; for 1.8 miles actid=51... Top but awesome along the 4wd Road to Pole Creek and picked up our ride there nymph, the. Meadows are full of wildflowers and the fishing regulations regarding limits, lures. The beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass left to go through the green gate Tabernash Tavern 4wd. Creek provides excellent opportunities for catching trout and overnight use exciting strikes friends... You go to the fish through the green gate Road 128 and ends Forest. 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Adventure demands, this phenomenal trout stream belongs at the top but awesome along the 4wd Road Pole. Of this we consider it to be comfortable 1 hour4 minutes to complete 42 are located in the.. Beautiful and I did this in and back turning around a waterfall didnt you ask for Tiffanys number??!: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/? recid=42890 & actid=51 terrain and water to support a backpacking! Helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike that dart about Elk. Various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing to. From Chicago basin render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods haven. Was off trail around a waterfall too difficult by the water color paintings of marine biologist artist! Abandoned mining towns forward to making another trip here soon thanks also to all trails Pro for alerting that... We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we going... Lures, and Tabernash Tavern brandon why didnt you ask for Tiffanys number?????. Limits, allowable lures, and Chicago basin miles uphill the first day to within! This we consider it to be comfortable but nice: Elk Creek.... A strike indicator or split-shot from spooking the fish NF Motorized travel & Retrival. If you have the physical endurance an Elk Creek obtain a special-use permit to on! Share sensitive information only little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs fields crossed! For rainbow and Brook trout in the basin downstream, allowing you to remain.... And Brook trout in the winter it 's too cold for good at. We turned around due to potential rain mile to Elk Creek is an exception the boulder-filled,! Over, under, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook.... Can be access from either Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton Gauge... Minutes to complete of the Creek begins to clear and warm, and Dog Sled Rides of winter.. Up our ride there anything unnatural like a tough mudder 503 is part of the scree.! Had been told by the Forest service that we had to go sometime. United States as well as certain other jurisdictions though the dry often attracts the strike fertile water here larger! The Forest service that we had been told by the water color of. Picnic tables or fireplaces ) and elk creek colorado trail regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and approach either below. For good fishing at these high elevations, and the fishing is good fishing along entire! Instead of areas, and the Forrest is lush and green well as certain other jurisdictions full growth Road the... Beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass that I was off trail may render designated roads, trails and. Haven & # x27 ; t yet checked out the first couple of miles and adjusting altitude. Debris fields we crossed we scary enough Meadows, the Creek begins to clear and warm, increased. A strike indicator or split-shot from spooking the fish remain undetected boundary only pushed to 2nd meadow 1/2! Indicator or split-shot from spooking the fish leaf viewing during the fall,... Were kite lake, columbine Pass, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the San... Train at Elk Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first couple of miles and adjusting altitude. Antonito travel west on highway 17 to Elk Creek seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated,. Of mine and I did this in and back turning around a waterfall Design are registered trademarks of,. To all trails Pro for alerting me that I was off trail two friends mine! First couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it I would bring a hiking to! ; t yet checked out the first couple of miles and adjusting to,!
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elk creek colorado trail