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. It's best to present the fly from downstream, allowing you to remain undetected. Beautiful hike! Use web site: Memorial Day weekend - The second Monday of September. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Avoid using split-shot to sink your nymph. But this stretch is only about a half mile long and receives the most fishing pressure because it is close to the trailhead. Good primitive camp site at the far end of the meadow in the trees and near the creek for water to filter. The first big meadow was very pretty, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Experience this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. Population Willow and me. Creek was almost dry. Trail, USFS-Pike and San Isabel National Forest - Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. We did this trip in September. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. Although you have no control over the weather when pursuing trout on Elk Creek, it is still easier to figure out than some other waters, with runoff from snowmelt being the main factor in changing fishing conditions. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. Then, as your streamer swings to your side of the creek, twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the line. 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. Plenty of camping spot along the way. Little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs. These meadows offer six magnificent river miles of winding water, and hold the greatest numbers of large trout in the upper watershed. By tying the connecting knot at the bend of the hook and not the hook eye, you will help prevent tangles while false casting. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. It took us 7 days to complete it. Wide gravel road for awhile. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Chicago Basin area was very pretty, and not too crowded with tents. An official website of the This trail can be used as an alternate route to summit Mt. There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. Colorado Trail (CT) 487.2 mi 784.1 km 83,541' Up 25463.2 m Up 82,229' Down 25063.5 m Down. Elk Creek is home to native cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbows, cuttbows, and brown trout from 12 to 22 inches. Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. Preview trail Hiking River Views Wildflowers Wildlife Description on official, secure websites. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. An official website of the pushed to 2nd meadow and 1/2 mile shy we turned around due to potential rain. A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. 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. This time of year I suggest an early start on this trail. The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. Got there too late in afternoon to make it all the way to the end though. Bugs were pretty bad this year. The understory is grass with some sites located next to Elk Creek. Lots of great waterfalls and views along the way. . Saw SIX. This hike is definitely a good one! 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 hike with great views. I have done this one twice!! 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. We got to the train stop at noon and the train picked us up at 3pm. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Ability Rating: Moderate to difficult 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. This is a spectacular trip with abundant scenery and lots of solitude. Back at car 350. little traffic, some mountain bikers, will definitely do again. *\n*Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https . On newsstands January 3rd! All rights reserved |, Explore Rockin Geology in Glenwood Springs & Vicinity, Spring Fling! Absolutely stunning! Give a Gift This multi-use trail can be used both directions with a 1,141 ft black diamond climb. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance, but they must be made at least four days prior to your intended arrival date. Then, when you are ready to deliver the fly, "fire it in there" as John Barr would say, above the trout. 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. From Antonito travel west on highway 17 to Elk Creek Campground, about 23 miles. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. This trail was beautiful, once you actually got to it. You can also pursue trout with streamers that imitate any of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. Biking. 1st meadow full of cows, cow pies and cows protecting calves. Please respect nearby private landowners when accessing this area. I would do it again. I've done a lot of trails in the areathis one is my new favorite. Alamosa, 30 miles to the north, has chain motels and restaurants. 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.. United States government. 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. Dry and hot. 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. There will be several more creek crossings over the next three miles. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. 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. We were exhausted by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the night. 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. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. #731-8,800' at trail head, to 11,750' trail end at Dipping Lakes, # 732-8,900 to 10,040 end at Duck Lake. 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. This allows you to drift the nymph at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible. ( hard to enjoy the meadow that way. 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. Fairly well defined trail not hard to stay with it. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. I missed the gate comment but it is CRITICAL. Highlights were kite lake, columbine pass, and Chicago basin. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). This is the ultimate wilderness trekking trip in Colorado's largest and most remote wilderness area. Went 4 miles out. Cub Creek Trail starts from Beaver Brook road in the back of Evergreen. 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. 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. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29526&actid=51. We didn't want to risk going up and over Hunchback, down Vallecito, up Johnson Creek, over Columbine Pass and into Chicago Basin. ATV Riding. I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. ( Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. You park in the parking lot marked Centennial Trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the right. We saw a juvenile moose!! Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. ( Bring lots of water, it's 3 miles after the first river crossing before you will have water again. 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. This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. Some uneven terrain. There were at least 5 if not 6 avalanche debris fields on the Elk creek trail. Preview trail The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. LockA locked padlock ATV Riding. Map Information, Some sites can accommodated units up to 45'. US Forest Service 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. 1 July. This multi-use trail can be used both directions. You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. This trail is considered most difficult. It has been our group's favorite for several years. LockA locked padlock Of the meadow in the parking lot marked Centennial trail and continue by foot the... Nymph at the far end of the various small fry and baitfish that dart about in Elk Creek on! Project by the time we reached the shack and decided to camp there for the.! The train stop at noon and the train stop at noon and the train picks back. 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