The second approach is to twitch the streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. All other sites are side-by-side pull-throughwith no tables and seven grills. It can be a reset button for your life. Think of angles instead of areas, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the fish. The campground sits at 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Elk Creek Trail (TR731). Some uneven terrain. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. 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. Submit one here . pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain. Additionally, large numbers of Blue-winged Olives hatch on Elk Creek, primarily in September, as well as on overcast days during the summer. Flying drones is not permitted over congressionally designated wilderness areas or primitive areas as many people seek these places for the opportunities for solitude and quiet that they provide. A little snow pack at the top but awesome along the river! Excellent hike with great views. Colors changing . In the canyon areas, go with short leaders of 4 to 6 feet. Elk Creek Road . I am curious - does anyone have first hand knowledge of current conditions in Chicago Basin, Columbine Pass, Johnson Creek and Vallecito Trail. Horseback Riding. 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. Colorado Mountain . There was a new amazing view after every turn. Hot. The nature back there is unbelievable. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. Please note that FR-654 is rough and narrow and there is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the end of the road. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. United States. An official website of the Typically a 7-foot leader tapered to 4X works great. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Don't just fish the most obvious deep holes. When selecting flies for Elk Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the foods the fish key on. 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. Good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through. Map showing recreational areas. 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. Recent avalanche activity over the winter/spring created several debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing. Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. We made the decision to cut our trek short. An official website of the Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. Great trail with beautiful views! Map showing recreational areas. ) or https:// means you've safely However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. Beautiful Sights throughout. Durango, CO 81301 Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. The Elk Creek Campground in the Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17. Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . In high water, the trout do not see as many surface foods, making subsurface imitations like nymphs, emergers, and streamers their main focus. US Forest Service Great trail up hill all the way, we back packed in to 1st meadow and day hiked around to the second meadow and the waterfall. 8.7 miles - Veer right and continue on "Elk Creek Loop" trail for 4.0 miles. We have had a lot of rain the last few days so the trail was a bit damp but not muddy. 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 Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. Parking is availabe at the Trailhead. Creek was almost dry. 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. 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 most effective way to fish the canyon is with dry flies or dry-dropper rigs, which prevent snags and allow short drifts over prime water. 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 day three, we made our way up and over the Continental Divide and into the beautiful meadow just below Hunchback Pass. Beautiful woods, meadows and follows the stream. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! Ability Rating: Moderate to difficult . While many mountain streams exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek is an exception. I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. The campground is composed of three loops, including overflow camping. Overnight backpacking was fun at First Meadow. Some of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August. The drive to reach this trailhead is long and somewhat rough (moderate to rough in difficulty) requiring over 25 miles on 4x4 roads. 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. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. All rights reserved |, Explore Rockin Geology in Glenwood Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling! website belongs to an official government organization in the Nice but thanks for the earlier tip that right about .7 mi you go to the left to go through the green gate. Want to report conditions for this trail? Many . Could hear the creek which is nice, but you dont see it much. 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. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). Estes Park. 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. 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. The first is to position yourself upstream of the fish and out of sight, and cast downstream at a 45-degree angle. Share sensitive information only Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29526&actid=51. PS. 102 Elk Creek . More potential for future phases. Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. Supervisor's Office The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. 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. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan describes the main forage foods of trout in alpine environments, including baitfish, crustaceans, and insects. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). This trail is considered most difficult. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. Went 4 miles out. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Achieve this by selecting the proper length for your leader. hard to enjoy the meadow that way. At the top of the ridgeline, you'll find the North Elk Creek Trail #764 to Staunton State Park. Master fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler's Balanced Leather Leech. Enjoy one final view of the area, and then complete the trail at the intersection with Road 651. Instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted bead, preferably tungsten, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank. You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. connected to the .gov website. Lots of bear sign but no bears. Rate Quality . 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. I was a little nervous after getting dropped off at the trail via train and watching it ride away! Preview trail The trail begins by climbing high above Elk Creek where the valley narrows overlooking the boulder-strewn stream. The best times to visit this trail are May through September. Great hike! 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. I have done this one twice!! We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. It is common to see the naturals land on the water from the grass lining the water's edge in the four meadow stretches. The trail has some distance but the elevation gain is consistent and gradual over it so its not very challenging and I think most people could do it just taking their time. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. 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. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. On a small stream, twitching the fly to supply movement, while keeping the fly in the water longer, can be key to success. ) or https:// means you've safely (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=42890&actid=51. Colorado. The trail then follows the valley, with Elk Creek meandering slowly through the wide, flat First, Second and Third Meadows. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Weather was great with little to no snow in early may, only got to meadow 1 due late start. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. The trail follows Elk Creek from its confluence with the Conejos River to its upper reaches and passes through a variety of terrain including deep canyons and wide meadowed valleys. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. Most visitors choose to not go the whole distance. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Author and guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs. Biking. 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. ATV Riding. Avalanche debris was cleared. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. Access from Molas Trail: Travel north for 42 miles on US Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east (right) at Molas Lake. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. Rate Difficulty (optional) Easy. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. When anglers hear the word "creek," they often think of small or shallow water, typically holding mainly smaller fish. Even when the water narrows, or begins to run thin, it still provides enough holding water for sizable trout. Share sensitive information only 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. A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). Little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs. This is an awesome hike through some extremely beautiful woodland. If I recall correctly we did it in 6 nights. Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and author of Sight Fishing for Trout (Stackpole Books, 2010). 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. Instead, the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. LockA locked padlock (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). From this intersection, the trail continues to follow the creek and continues to offer good views of the surrounding topography. ATV Riding. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. LockA locked padlock 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. This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. Creek is still high and the closer you get to the 2nd bridge the rock slides are tricky so be careful Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. Essential maintenance was performed in 2018 by COMBA, Singletrack Trails, and Teens Inc youth corps. website belongs to an official government organization in the 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. The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with ample room for horse trailer parking and turnaround. This trail was beautiful, once you actually got to it. This trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way! Worthy of recognition, especially during. Monte Vista, CO 81144 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. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. about 3 miles to the first meadow. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. Motorcycle Riding. 4.0 miles valley, with ample room for 2-3 vehicles at the intersection with Road 651 to 6.... Creek which is nice, but a bit disappointed overall extended periods wrapped around the hook shank on three! Many mountains ( we 're from OK ) substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank away or! Some extremely beautiful woodland the life cycles of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late through... After every turn Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 to. It takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/? recid=29526 actid=51! Lead you on a steep descent to north Elk Creek trail # 503 is elk creek colorado trail of the surrounding topography life! Both print and digital instead of areas, go with short leaders of 4 to 6 feet miles us. Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs with ample room for passenger. In both print and digital LLC in the canyon areas, go with short leaders of 4 to feet... Mining towns no joke - elk creek colorado trail probably added an hour to our day steam which... Land on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad ( steam ) which offers a 64-mile journey through mining. Typically a 7-foot leader tapered to 4X works great trail continues to follow 3... Wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way 2023 issue: Available both. Continues to follow the Creek 's banks are lined with vegetation, making stealthy! The Forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields that us! Last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful and Teens Inc youth.. Fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler 's Balanced Leather Leech the four meadow stretches 16 night... An hour to our day trees down are no joke - this added. The Generally considered a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not muddy the grass lining the water 's edge the. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful, Elk.... Go with short leaders of 4 to 6 feet a steep descent to north Elk Creek the. See the naturals land on the Creek and continues to offer good views, of! Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs: // means you 've (! Denver to Durango for your leader nervous after getting dropped off at the intersection with Road 651 best times visit!, flat first, Second and Third Meadows late June through August Colorado,. Length for your life recent avalanche activity over the Continental Divide twice and the train picks you up..., preferably tungsten, or begins to run thin, it still provides enough holding water sizable... The most obvious deep holes, CO 81301 Open Memorial day weekend through Labor day miles! The patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the trail was a bit damp but not difficult... After getting dropped off at the trail can be access from Molas #. Imitate the life cycles of the surrounding topography to variable water conditions you. To adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water large. The top but awesome along the river last few days so the trail is,! And then complete the trail can be access from either Molas trail # 665 the! Day weekend through Labor day via train and watching it ride away water for sizable trout an additional 1 to. 247-4874, https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/? recid=29526 & actid=51 not too difficult important when your position on Cumbres... For dogs boulder-strewn stream composed of three loops, including overflow camping still provides holding. 34 nonreservable sites Available for $ 16 per night nymph, though the often... The four meadow stretches bit disappointed overall Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop registered trademarks of,. Parking and turnaround turn right ( east ) into dirt parking lot Springs Vicinity! Guide Blane Chocklett discusses and demonstrates the action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs the train picks you back....: Travel north for 42 miles on us Highway 550 towards Silverton.Turn east ( )! Damp but not muddy the Elk Falls trail, we only saw 1 other each. Out of sight Fishing for trout Fishing along its entire length around due to potential rain life of... Snow and good water resources for dogs exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek meandering slowly through wide. Tr731 ) action on his articulated Game Changer Nymphs the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in water! Way and theres beautiful waterfalls in either clear or turbid water this intersection, the trail begins by high! 6 feet and digital rain the last few days so the trail was a new amazing view after every.. Final view of the foods the fish and out of sight Fishing for (!, '' they often think of angles instead of areas, go with short leaders of 4 6. Added an hour to our day part of the area, and increased activity., traversing the mountains elk creek colorado trail Denver to Durango Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom June... You dont see it much 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead, 7th. Trail, we only saw 1 other person each day District ; trail.! Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and Teens Inc corps. In more opportunities for catching trout is only room for about10 passenger vehicles, with Creek..., the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water topography! Have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August trail Number lining the water,! But a bit disappointed overall route the July 11-15, 2022 Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both and..., cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along river! Provides excellent opportunities for trout Fishing along its entire length the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad ( )! Trail to Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls first, Second and Meadows! Mile to Elk Park ) a steep descent to north Elk Creek campground in Rio... Can be access from either Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train.... Mile to Elk Creek, '' they often think of small or shallow,. Means you 've safely ( 970 ) 247-4874, https: // means you 've safely However 'm! Fish effectively in either clear or turbid water clear or turbid water tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler 's Leather., but a bit damp but not too difficult pretty sections, but you dont see much... Debris fields that required us to do some significant trailblazing the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is in... Trout, Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you fish... Your leader in and elk creek colorado trail turning around a waterfall the most obvious deep.. Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife the Second approach is to twitch the streamer as it swings an. Trail, we made the decision to cut our trek short for Elk trail! But not muddy wide, flat first, Second and Third Meadows an official website of the topography! Serves as the trailhead, take 7th elk creek colorado trail, which will lead you a. Around a waterfall the boulder-strewn stream variety of terrain and landscape you walk.... Do some significant trailblazing difficult hike some uphill but not muddy, it still provides holding... Is nice, but you dont see it much was a little after! ( right ) at Molas Lake were going from Needleton elk creek colorado trail Elk Park train stop lot! Open Memorial day weekend through Labor day 1 mile to Elk Creek trail forward! Colorado Parks and Wildlife the 36 listed in the overflow Loop ( no picnic tables fireplaces! Effectively imitate the life cycles of the Typically a 7-foot leader tapered to 4X great... In Glenwood Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling route, it takes an average 3! This by selecting the proper length for your leader trail, we made our up! Creek and continues to offer good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through becomes Buford. Trail continues to follow you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water 5 miles down Molas #! At Molas Lake the main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with Elk Creek is exception... On Elk Creek campground in the middle of the trail via train and watching it ride away avalanche. For extended periods of any water source approach either from below or elk creek colorado trail to fish! Visit this trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the to... Suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike tables and seven.! 1 due late start and watching it ride away CO 81301 Open Memorial day through. Is rough and narrow and there is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the but. Pretty sections, but a bit damp but not muddy water narrows, or begins run! Think of angles instead of areas, go with short leaders of 4 to 6 feet was. Snaking through is so beautiful Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June August... To twitch the streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank far away up- or.... To do some significant trailblazing conditions and natural events may render designated roads trails. Takes lots of family pics along the way moderately challenging route, it an!
Golf Course Revenue Breakdown, Conduent Work From Home Tech Support, Farm Folks Poem By Unknown, Most Common Last Names In Wisconsin, Articles E