Roxboro, CO. Add Rating. This trail is great, cant wait to go back and takes lots of family pics along the way! This multi-use trail can be used both directions. More potential for future phases. Durango, CO 81301 do NOT recommend driving to the trailhead on a regular car, it's narrow & one way, so better suited to ATVs or small Jeeps after the gate. Just north ofMolas Pass, turn right (east) into dirt parking lot. Avalanche debris was cleared. 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. Not a bad hike up to the South Elk Creek waterfall. United States. Think of angles instead of areas, and approach either from below or perpendicular to the fish. Took me just a little longer as I tend to go slower and take a lot of pictures Be ready for an uphill battle! Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. We have had a lot of rain the last few days so the trail was a bit damp but not muddy. 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. Elk Creek - Colorado Trail Avalanches $55,810 maintenance grant The Columbine Ranger District will use this grant to address the historic avalanche cycle of 2019, which left four large debris fields along the Elk Creek section of the Colorado Trail in the Weminuche Wilderness. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. An official website of the Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock The trail then heads steadily uphill, winding its way along the creek and surrounding cliffsides. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. 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. Alamosa, 30 miles to the north, has chain motels and restaurants. For example, in August, Elk Creek typically runs low and clear. Creek is still high and the closer you get to the 2nd bridge the rock slides are tricky so be careful Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . There are a few camping sites near this junction. Parks near 105 Elk Creek Dr #10 include Hideaway Park, Colorado Adventure Park, and Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park. 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. At 5.2 miles, the trail cross East Elk Creek for a final time. Instead, the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water. Phone: 719-657-3321 Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Never saw a waterfall. An official website of the Official websites use .gov A .gov East Elk CreekTrail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. Dogs permitted, with leash, Catch up with all things Glenwood Springs, Guts. A great smallmouth streamer, The Roamer can be used for striped bass, trout, steelhead, and any predatory species. After at least an hour of hiking, you'll reach First Meadows. Share sensitive information only 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! In high water, the trout do not see as many surface foods, making subsurface imitations like nymphs, emergers, and streamers their main focus. Get Here. 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. Beautiful Sights throughout. This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. The most direct route to the Elk Falls overlook is to choose the Bugling Elk trail which follows a small creek for 1.1 miles until it arrives at Elk Falls Pond, a good place to stop and Fish. On average it takes 7 minutes to complete this trail. Most people are accustomed to fishing streamers in big rivers, and don't think of using them in smaller streams. Select a dry fly with enough buoyancy to suspend the nymph throughout the drift without sinking. Food and accommodations are limited in Antonito. Colorado Mountain . Nice trail. Open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Every mountain we encountered was amazing! The weather plays a big role in water conditions. The third day we hiked ~11 miles, starting with 2 miles downhill and then 7 miles to the top of columbine pass and then 2 miles down to camp at Chicago basin. Two friends of mine and I did this backpack in 1995. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. 3 days, 2 nights. These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. On average it takes 1 hour4 minutes to complete this trail. 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. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. This is an awesome hike through some extremely beautiful woodland. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). Want to report conditions for this trail? Small amounts of debris from avalanche on the Needles creek trail but easy to navigate. 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. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. Ability Rating: Moderate to difficult While many mountain streams exchange scenery for large trout, Elk Creek is an exception. Get Here. Pennsylvania smallmouth and trout guide Jake Villwock shows you how to tie one of his signature flies, The Roamer. on official, secure websites. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. This multi-use trail can be used both directions with a 1,141 ft black diamond climb. 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. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. Great trail. Elk Creek drains the northern portion of the Grenadier Range, which includes Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks; a mecca for mountaineers. About 2.25 miles from the parking area is where the trail goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees. But any days in the woods are better than most days doing anything else. Definitely recommend to bring waterproofs shoes and pants to be comfortable. (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. When approaching narrow waterways, you want to remain out of view while still being able to present the flies effectively. This allows you to drift the nymph at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible. A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. This approach is very long, requires a . It took us 7 days to complete it. It's best to present the fly from downstream, allowing you to remain undetected. We ended up finishing around 5pm on the 5th day, so instead of waiting around for the return train to Durango on day 6, we took the train to Silverton for lunch, then rode the whole return trip to Durango. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). Beautiful other than that. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. ) or https:// means you've safely Any feedback appreciated. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Lots of bear sign but no bears. Moxie! Write a Review. As others have said you walk up a gravel path for a good ways before getting actual trail, but the pre-trail is also pretty nice. I prefer foam flies like the BC Hopper. The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. Erosion taking over on a couple sketchy drops. Right now the waterfalls are still running strong and the pleasant sound of the water makes your time even that much more enjoyable!! This was my first hike of more than five miles. This 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required to experience it. Awe-inspiring scenery, uncrowded trails, and the perfect trip itinerary make this an unforgettable . From here, the trail climbs steeply uphill and leads visitors to the rim of the canyon. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 We turned around because of the snakes. ( We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. On day two, we encountered an even larger debris field between Beaver Pond and the ascent to the miner's shack. 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. United States. ATV Riding. 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. 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. At the trail's highest point is a series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes. Just about a mile in. Length:18 miles out and back ) or https:// means you've safely The meadows are full of wildflowers and the Forrest is lush and green. I did get caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way back so weather is changeable, be prepared!! At a higher level of commitment, the creek has enough terrain and water to support a multiday backpacking trip. 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. Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. We ended up turning back. Our trek group of 6 - ages ranging from 17 to 64 years. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions. Many . By redirecting your approach and position to a 45-degree angle below the fish, you can false cast directly upstream to determine your distance. A little snow pack at the top but awesome along the river! Traffic thins out toward the end. *\n*Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https . This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. 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! Good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through. We recommend it as long as you are ready to stay 7 days in the backcountry! Great trail. Parking is availabe at the Trailhead. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. Property Records Search. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. Flat. Trail could use some better signs, and GPS showed 3.7 miles vs 3 miles :). ) or https:// means you've safely Hike was beautiful . Great views. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. Weather. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 Biking. Rio Grande National Forest, Conejos Peak Ranger District. Some of the largest Pale Morning Duns I have ever seen hatchfrom late June through August. It is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pines. The creek begins to clear and warm, and increased insect activity results in more opportunities for catching trout. . These meadows offer six magnificent river miles of winding water, and hold the greatest numbers of large trout in the upper watershed. 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. Charlie Craven guides us step by step on how to tie this split-wing CDC mayfly dun imitation that descended from competitive fly fishing. 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 are early 50s, fairly fit experienced hikers from Durango, and we gave ourselves 5 nights/6 days. not another hiker in site for us. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. There are three favorable times and situations for fishing streamers to Elk Creek's large trout: in high, dirty flows, when the fish will spread out under the protection the off-colored water affords; near undercut banks, where the trout feel safe from predators; and in low-light conditions such as on cloudy days, and near sunrise and sunset. PS. Loved it, follows fast flowing creek and at one point, about 3 miles in, can follow iff trail into open area where creek has numerous flows(fisherman there). The tread is packed earth and loose rock. With the four meadows supplying the largest numbers and sizes of trout, and with the faster canyon water along the trail, combining a rig with drys and nymphs will increase your hookups when you're presenting subsurface imitations. Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Know Before You Go: Regulations, Outdoor Safety and More, San Juan National ForestHeadquarters If you are backpacking for the day and want a fish fry, these nonnative trout offer excellent eating. 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. Absolutely beautiful and I want to go back sometime. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. An official website of the The trail starts by crossing a wooden bridge across East Elk Creek. Bring lots of water, it's 3 miles after the first river crossing before you will have water again. Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and author of Sight Fishing for Trout (Stackpole Books, 2010). 5 in Trail Running. 12.7 miles - Turn left on "Elk Creek/ FS 891.2" for 1.8 miles. Mostly flat. The creek's placid, fertile water here holds larger trout than the canyon, and the fishing is good. Thanks also to All Trails Pro for alerting me that i was off trail! . Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. Fairly well defined trail not hard to stay with it. 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. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! Most visitors choose to not go the whole distance. 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. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. Hiking River Wildlife Description No conditions reported in the past 7 days This trail is considered most difficult. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. Durango, CO 81301 The meadow at 3 miles in is beautiful and great spot to fish. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, online Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad or call (719) 376-5483 for more information. Spunk. Instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted bead, preferably tungsten, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank. Achieve this by selecting the proper length for your leader. Little bit of snow and good water resources for dogs. Excellent hike with great views. Great trail. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. 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. A lot of UP. Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. The trees down are no joke - this probably added an hour to our day. Cub Creek Trail starts from Beaver Brook road in the back of Evergreen. Like. Better waterand bigger fishawait upstream. LockA locked padlock The main parking area has room for about10 passenger vehicles, with ample room for horse trailer parking and turnaround. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. One stream crossing after the Vallecito bridge about mid calf. We hardly saw any other hikers until Chicago Basin. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. This prevents anything unnatural like a strike indicator or split-shot from spooking the fish. It is verdant throughout, hiking along the creek the whole time. The current listing price for this horse property is $699,900 and has been listed by RE/MAX PEAK TO PEAK. The trail joins the Continental Divide Scenic Trail #813. Overnight backpacking was fun at First Meadow. National Forest The trail extends 18 miles to the Flattops. 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. North Elk Creek 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. Steep cliffs of volcanic rock loom above the valley floor and are intermittently broken by side canyons. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. Some uneven terrain. The trail is always very clear and easy to follow. Great to explore though. Ends at the water. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. LockA locked padlock 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. When the creek is low and clear, the trout are usually looking up, making drys better choices. Had never seen so many mountains (we're from OK). When selecting flies for Elk Creek, choose the patterns that most effectively imitate the life cycles of the foods the fish key on. This was our third trek on this trail. Other trails which can be reached via the El Creek Trail are the Notch Trail #729 and the Rough Creek Trail #727. Sad to see all the beetle damage. Plenty of camping spot along the way. trail is hot in certain portions but the meadows are lush and green. 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 bridge at Vallecito Creek, near Johnson Creek, is still good. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. 729 to 727 is steep and challenging but nice. I highly recommend it. The narrow water continues as you enter Third and Fourth meadows. Well be back with more snow has melted to do it all the way! Share sensitive information only Firewood is not provided. We'll see areas like Elk Creek, the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide, and many of Colorado's most remote Centennial 13'ers. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. We met others that were completing this 36-40 mile trip as we were walking into the wilderness from Needleton. ) or https:// means you've safely Black flies were a pain the whole week. Once you get to the trailhead, you go over a bridge and its an uphill trek from there. There are a lot of down trees and we had rain and some route finding to cross streams. Lots of wildlife tracks. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. 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.. There are 31 campsites (6 are pull-through) with tables and fireplaces, 3 vault type toilets, drinking water (3 hand pumps) and refuse receptacles for your convenience. The nature back there is unbelievable. Difficult and rocky but worth it. Wowee what a beautiful trail, particularly at the moment. One thing I have always noticed when fishing deep, narrow trout streams is that the trout have the opportunity to see more food items drifting downstream, both subsurface and on top, than they would in wider, shallower streams. connected to the .gov website. Give a Gift Lots of shade and tree cover, wild flowers, and little critters. There are also good climbing opportunities in the area. Please respect nearby private landowners when accessing this area. 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. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. United States government. Thanks for letting me know but you didnt need to write it all over my car!!! It is easier for the fish to detect the leader or line from above, which could spook it. 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. There is public access to the Conejos River and Elk Creek. ( website belongs to an official government organization in the Uphill. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. COTREX is a project by the Colorado DNR and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Then, as your streamer swings to your side of the creek, twitch the rod tip while applying tension to the line. United States. Elk Creek Trail follows a steep and rocky incline paralleling Elk Creek from Elk Creek Campground (8, 500 feet above sea level) to the Fourth Meadows, in the San Juan Mountains. Larimer County. 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. This same attraction can also affect other aspects of your wilderness experience, by decreasing overall solitude with increased visitation. This time wasn't as bad as 1993, where my ancient A-frame tent blew down, but I'd suggest doing it in August for longer days and less rain. 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. About 1.2 miles from Castle Valley Boulevards intersection with the Buford Road, take the right branch of the Y onto East Elk Road (CR 241). We saw a juvenile moose!! You follow along Elk Creek the entire way and theres beautiful waterfalls. Went 4 miles out. Featured Routes. 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. Bring an extra blood bag as you'll need to counter what's sucked out of you by the mosquitoes. Snowmobiling. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. Have to beat the storms up here! The very last meadow with the stream snaking through is so beautiful. Camping sites 29 through 42 are located in the overflow loop (no picnic tables or fireplaces). Didnt see waterfall up to that point. I would do it again. We camped at ~9300 ft. Elk Meadow is a 5,121 ft popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. Really strenuous going up be we also went mid day when it was hot. This is a popular trail for backpacking, birding, and camping, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. We'll be adding 2.7 miles this year, thanks to a grant from Colorado Parks and Wildlife with matching funds from Team Evergreen Cycling. We walked 44 miles vs the 36 listed in the app. Great trail with beautiful views! 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. 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