Actually zooming out some, we're going to be hunting not too far from vaughn lake on private land. Big Game Hunting Areas. Most of the unit has motor vehicle restrictions. Blanco Ranger District (East of Meeker, CO) Flat Tops NW. We furnish the tents, cots, heating/cooking stoves, propane, water source, wood, camp table/chairs and horses to and from camp. There is also a restaurant with a bar. The White River Forest, with one of the largest elk herds in Colorado, has 111 miles of fishable streams and 780 acres of lakes. I will be going on my second self guided hunt on public land first rifle seasn, in Colorado in GMU 11, 211, Any advice welcomed!! Hunting. Trappers Lake is the headwaters of the north fork and also holds the largest concentration of Colorado River cutthroats Trappers Lake, in the White River National Forest, is truly one of Colorado’s best kept secrets! You can see the lake about 3miles south. Directions from Denver/Vail. Hunting adventures with Trappers Lake Lodge comes in many shapes and sizes. This area is famous for prize-winning elk. Over the next 14 days the Trappers Lake forecast suggests the average daytime maximum temperature will be around -7°C, with a high for the two weeks of 2°C expected on the afternoon of Saturday 19th. Brink outfitters At Sweetwater Lake Resort offers Horseback rides, Cabins, Motels, Camp sites, Fishing, Boat Rentals and even a full service restaurant! Family owned and operated for more than 100 years, Buford Lodge is l ocated on the scenic White River, offering a unique experience for hunters, fishers, and adventurers alike.. Boasting nearly a mile of private river access, and located right in the heart of elk country, Buford Lodge is the premier destination for those seeking adventure or just wanting to get away from it all. The North Fork and Himes Peak Campgrounds opened on June 5 th . Includes: Blanca, Capulin, Center, Fort Garland, Hooper, Mosca, San Luis, Sanford. Lone Tom Outfitter Packing into Flattop can be done via South Fork; Marvine or Trappers Lake trailheads. The last few fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice mule deer and elk around the north central Weminuche Wilderness Area. DIY horseback Colorado elk hunt 02-27-2019, 10:36 PM. Offices closed on federal holidays. Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge; A place is good for hunting waterfowl and elk with around 23,467 acres of land. Trappers Lake is the third largest lake in Colorado. My wife and I are avid horseman and own our own stock. This later became my favorite horse. Located on the edge of the majestic Flat tops wilderness, we are a short drive from Vail, Eagle, Aspen and Glenwood springs. District offices. White River National Forest Supervisor's Office 900 Grand Ave. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970)-945-2521. Contact Trappers Lake Lodge at … Elk Recommendations: Individual hunting areas determined by mode of transportation. Too bad the campground and so-called resort can’t hold up to the same reputation as the Lake and surrounding beauty! The best elk hunting in this area of south-central Colorado is located west of U.S. Highway 285 to the Continental Divide. Experience Meeker, Buford, and Trappers Lake, Colorado. Waypoints (0) Weather. General Colorado Hunting Info. The remaining Blanco Ranger District Campgrounds opened … He was getting on in years, had no back teeth and was incredibly slow. I hunted up the Los Pinos river out of Vallecito Res., in the 60's, before it was designated Weminuche Wilderness and we always took some good mule deer and elk. Flat Tops Fishing Report (7/15/20) It is a great time to escape to the Flat Tops range in northwest Colorado. Im also fortunate enough to not have time restrictions on this hunt. News; Trappers Lake reaps benefits of a 2002 fire. Guide to Hunting in Colorado 1961 elk hunting trip. Colorado undoubtedly had seen bigger wildfires, even bigger blazes during that very summer of 2002 alone. I myself have hunted elk for 15 years and experienced 8 different drop camps with different outfitters in Canada, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. Thousands of acres of timber was burned up near Trappers Lake and the area looks like it was nuked so take some saws if you're going to pack into that part of the country; burned ares are ugly as heck but its always been my experience that, that is … Most facilities and campgrounds in the Flat Tops have opened. Meeker Colorado. It is the most popular hunting area in Colorado wherein private lands are enrolled with 147,000 acres. Use the pull-down menu below to go to listings in a specific town (some towns are included in larger local areas) Alamosa, Colorado. Explore the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, all from the beautiful, historic cabins at Ripple Creek Lodge. limited draw rifle 1st season, White River National Forest, Flat Tops Wilderness Area. Posted on July 16, 2012 by Scott Willoughby/The Denver Post . It’s open from late May through October. We are looking for a campground that accommodates horses in NW Colorado, I'm currently looking in GMU 23 in the Flat Top range. Vacation Cabins. Go 38.8 miles up the river to the Trappers Lake Road. UV Index. We would be in an RV. Youth Hunting; Hunting Checklists; Hunting Maps ; Licenses & Tags; Leftover Licenses; Big Game Hunting Statistics; Taxidermy & Meat Processing; Guns & Ammo; 1st Time Elk Hunting; Mule Deer Hunting Areas; Winter Kill Facts; Events; Testimonials; Gallery; Directions & Maps Lisa 2017-09-25T16:43:18+00:00 Directions and Maps. Spending a day working north along the national forest boundary may reap some rewards. The dividing line that runs roughly from Meeker or Trappers Lake, allows ATV's to the south,but none to the north.Of course any wilderness areas do not permit any type of wheeled vehicle, bicycles and game carts included.The northern areas run a lot of sheep that you have to contend with in the early seasons. ! A.J. Just looking for any advice/insight on this area, elk population, huntability, which season may be best etc. Little Trappers Lake is a 3.4 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Gypsum, Colorado that features a river and is good for all skill levels. They offer a five-day elk hunt trip, hunting drop camps, a standard lodge hunt, and wilderness camp rental to choose from, each offering a different, but no less exciting experience in the Flat Tops Wilderness. It must have been a sight to behold. Relish the time on the water without another soul in site. Hi all! The trail is primarily used for hiking and running. County: Garfield Habitat: Pond/Lake/Reservoir, Burn Area, Mixed-Conifer Forest, Stream Directions: From the town of Buford, head north and east on CR 8 to the junction with FR 205 and turn right, following signs for Trappers Lake. Trappers Lake Lodge & Resort – Trappers Lake Lodge is located on the Flat Tops Byway in Meeker. I've found one online by Trappers lake but it looks like it closes mid October. Wildlife around Trappers Lake include moose, elk, mule deer, ... A 2002 wildfire near Trappers Lake cleared some of the densest stands of these trees, creating new habitat for smaller plants such as aspen and dozens of wildflowers, including the columbine, the state flower. Vaughn Lake Campground. Length 3.4 mi Elevation gain 413 ft Route type Out & back. Not interested in drop camping. With outstanding and unpretentious service, mouthwatering meals and rustic, cozy accommodations, we'll please you in every way possible, offering activities for all ages -- for the young and young at heart. 26-Sep-09. Ive been fortunate enough to spend time around elk in Colorado, but this will be my first time actually hunting them. Offices closed on federal holidays. Thanks, John From: oldbow. I went 5 years aga in Pagosa Durango area, so another new area without much information. Avoid the crowds. Paddle, hike, fish, run, ride horseback, hunt, camp, picnic, and explore, all with a backdrop of pristine blue water and 240,000 acres of Colorado's wide-open beauty. Trappers Lake Lodge TLL is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the most exclusive guest ranches in Colorado. All advice or precautions welcome, Thanks to all in advance!! District offices. Trappers Lake Lodge & Resort, Meeker: See 60 traveler reviews, 36 candid photos, and great deals for Trappers Lake Lodge & Resort, ranked #1 of 12 specialty lodging in Meeker and rated 4.5 of 5 at Tripadvisor. Rustic log cabins, full-service restaurant and bar, Hunting & Guided Hunts, Fishing, Guided Fishing trips, boat rentals on Trappers Lake!, Horseback rides and wilderness Camps. Twin Rivers Cabins and RV Park At the base of the beautiful Conejos Canyon near Antonito. So begins the photos from my week covering an elk hunting trip near Trappers Lake in Colorado. dog friendly Hiking Running Forest Lake River. A complete guide to hunting for Western Colorado. It offers vault toilet facilities with fire grates and picnic tables in its 6 campsites. Note: the road dead ends at the campgrounds just beyond Trappers Lake Lodge. My goal is to enjoy the wilderness and learn as much about chasing elk as I can and not have to cram it all into 10 days. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970)-945-2521. Situated on 11.4 acres of permitted Forest Service land, a top the renowned White River National Forest Flat Tops Wilderness, the area is known throughout the Rocky Mountains for its unparalleled beauty and seclusion. This area supposedly has alot of Elk moving through it so maybe give Vaughn lake area a go. The Trappers Lake hunting experience is unmatched, with wild game roaming the Colorado high country in the Flat Tops wilderness. Overall:-> The hunters in our group have been hunting elk for 30+ years, with many successful and enjoyable wilderness hunts. This is a small, scenic campground, which is a favorite among hunters and families alike. The average minimum temperature will be -15°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Sunday 13th at -24°C. This is a blue-ribbon cutthroat trout fishery. New member here from the east coast planning an elk hunt to the Flat Tops area of Colorado, WMU 24 & in particular the Trapper's Lake area. Or, from Colorado 13 in Meeker, follow Rio Blanco County 8 (a slightly better road) 42 miles east and turn right on Trappers Lake Road. Enjoy the solitude. Contact Us : Big Game Hunting. Turn right, and drive until you reach Trappers Lake. We do … Hunters looking for a back-country experience should consider the South San Juan Wilderness (vehicles are prohibited). The boys called him The Palimino until I named him Peanut. They offer hunting and fishing trips, both day and overnight, as well a horse and cabin rentals. History. This is located in the Southeast part of Colorado and offers good hunting opportunities for hunters. Optimistically, we hope that this … The people, the scenery, and the fishing kept three generations of my family coming back for over 40 years!! The horse in front of me is carrying my bags. By far, the Ripple Creek outfitter provided the worst experience any of us had ever had. We will be on horse back hunting cow elk only, so our initial plan is to head into the wilderness area. You’ll know it when you see it! Basalt Area. Dogs are also able to use this trail. The terrain in this 164,000-acre wilderness area is high plateau with open parks dispersed throughout the aspen, spruce, and fir forests. Premium Hunting in Colorado . Meeker, gateway to the White River National Forest and the Flattops Wilderness (accessible only by foot or on horseback), attracts many visitors who come for the excellent fishing and hunting. Elk hunt in Colorado, fish the White River or sled dog into the backcountry. At the end of this road is the trailhead for Trappers Lake. Be prepared for heavy hunting pressure especially out of campgrounds and major trailheads. And it’s home to moose, deer, elk, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, marmots, badgers, and beavers. 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