This beautiful matted print of Julie Leidel's original Colorado artwork was created in partnership with The Colorado Trail Foundation. Discover this 5.5-km out-and-back trail near New Castle, Colorado. 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. Instead, the difficulty is in achieving a good presentation in narrow water. 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. We made the decision to cut our trek short. To read the full instructions and story see our February-March 2021 issue. I went as far as the west end of the second meadow. The trail is in great condition until the second meadow, a couple of downed trees, but not much else. Great backpacking experience!! The best times to visit this trail are May through September. 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. Gorgeous trail! Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. My childhood hike, worth it to see meadows. Views from the top are stunning. The campground is composed of three loops, including overflow camping. Snowmobiling. Lots of great waterfalls and views along the way. Well marked trail that loops back the way you came!! The second approach is to twitch the streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank. Absolutely beautiful and I want to go back sometime. Did this route from July 28 to August 3. There are two ways to approach this presentation problem. connected to the .gov website. We ended up turning back. An official website of the 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. This creek has both a spectacular setting and an abundance of browns, rainbows, cutthroat, and cuttbows from 12 to 22 inches. I have backpacked in the Weminuche three times, all in September, and each time we encountered some bad rainy weather. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. Parking is availabe at the Trailhead. ( The first big meadow was very pretty, No conditions reported in the past 7 days. 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. From the trail head to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only. As you begin your ascent toward the First Meadows three miles upstream, the creek cascades through a small canyon where classic mountain fishing features swift, turbulent pocketwater, and the trout hold in current breaks. First meadow is 3 miles from the trailhead. This approach is located at 11,700ft and provides access to the Vestal Group from the east via Upper Elk Creek & Vallecito Creek. 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. The campground sits at 8,500 feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the Elk Creek Trail (TR731). I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. 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. 16.2 miles - Continue straight on "Chainsaw" single track for .7 . We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. Great trail. The narrow creek creates some challenging casting situations, and it's helpful to have a spotter here to direct your casts. The campground is convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness. 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. about 3 miles to the first meadow. On Elk Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can fish effectively in either clear or turbid water. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). Submit one here . The meadow at 3 miles in is beautiful and great spot to fish. Good views, variety of terrain and landscape you walk through. Id say its a moderately difficult hike some uphill but not too difficult. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions. Just about a mile in. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. The 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. Plenty water sources, every day at least 2. Snowshoeing. We saw a juvenile moose!! website belongs to an official government organization in the I live nearby and like to use the trail as a training tool. #731-8,800' at trail head, to 11,750' trail end at Dipping Lakes, # 732-8,900 to 10,040 end at Duck Lake. Other trails which can be reached via the El Creek Trail are the Notch Trail #729 and the Rough Creek Trail #727. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. (970) 247-4874, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=42890&actid=51. This horse property has 2 bedrooms and 2 total baths. 14.5 miles - Turn left on "FS 159" dirt road for .7 miles. This trail is considered most difficult. It's best to present the fly from downstream, allowing you to remain undetected. West Needles Contiguous Wilderness Study Area. We loved this trail and would highly recommend! The canyon water makes for a fun, fast-paced game with shotgun casting and eager trout, but they are mostly small. Hiking River Wildlife Description No conditions reported in the past 7 days Great hike! Total Length 2.3mi; Elevation Range 9,957-10,431ft 474ft; Manager USFS Norwood Ranger District; Trail Number . Some pretty sections, but a bit disappointed overall. ATV Riding. 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. This is the property details for 105 Elk Creek Drive #10, Fraser, CO 80442. Bring an extra blood bag as you'll need to counter what's sucked out of you by the mosquitoes. Very isolated in the middle of the trail, we only saw 1 other person each day. Rio Grande National Forest, 1803 W. Highway 160 This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. Colors are definitely changing and seemed to be more vibrant as I gained elevation. E-bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or Rusty Buckle 769. 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. Went 4 miles out. Durango, CO 81301 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! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 20 h 6 min to complete. Hearing Impaired: 719-852-6271, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/riogrande/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=29526&actid=51. Phone: 719-657-3321 However, after the first couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it! ( US Forest Service The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. Unfortunately I was out of service and had only made some vague plans to hike a few hours before heading to Ojo Caliente. It was a dream and once in a lifetime trip! Creek was almost dry. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. Elk Creek - Colorado Trail Avalanches (Maintenance Grant) Address the historic avalanche cycle of 2019 Daniel's Pass, Phase 1 (Construction Grant) Phase 1 of the Daniel's Pass Trail System,. Like. On day one, between the Elk Park Train Drop Off Trail Head and Beaver Pond, we encountered 3 large debris fields. LockA locked padlock 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. Experience this 60.4-km point-to-point trail near Silverton, Colorado. I've done a lot of trails in the areathis one is my new favorite. They were all well marked but took extra time to navigate. Share sensitive information only 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. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. Uncompahgre Valley, and Bostwick Park. When you have selected the correct dry, attach a piece of 5X tippet to the bend of the hook. 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. Camping is not allowed within 100 feet of any water source. Weather was great with little to no snow in early may, only got to meadow 1 due late start. I did get caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way back so weather is changeable, be prepared!! Youre next to the rushing creek the whole hike and its beautiful. ( Firewood is not provided. This is an awesome hike through some extremely beautiful woodland. Want to report conditions for this trail? Saw SIX. Better waterand bigger fishawait upstream. Colorado. 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. The second day we did ~13 miles which included two peaks with kite lake in between. 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. Featured Routes. LockA locked padlock Some uneven terrain. Write a Review. These features, along with access to the Continental Divide Trail, make Elk Creek one of the most heavily used trails in the Weminuche Wilderness. 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. 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 popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. At that point, one of our trek members sustained a significant ankle injury. very nice in good weather. 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. The trail also continues to gradually gain elevation as it travels up the canyon. Elk Creek drains the northern portion of the Grenadier Range, which includes Arrow, Vestal, and the Trinity Peaks; a mecca for mountaineers. Landon Mayer is a Colorado fly-fishing guide, and author of Sight Fishing for Trout (Stackpole Books, 2010). The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). The understory is grass with some sites located next to Elk Creek. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. Fly Fisherman's Feb-March 2023 issue: Available in both print and digital. . Please respect nearby private landowners when accessing this area. This horse property is in the Elk Creek Village subdivision and the neighborhood. All other sites are side-by-side pull-throughwith no tables and seven grills. Elk Meadow is a 5,121 ft popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado. Want to report conditions for this trail? In the winter it's too cold for good fishing at these high elevations, and spring melt creates raging water flows. Many . 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 is always very clear and easy to follow. Gorgeous views. Many . Property Records Search. The mountain scenery is spectacular the whole way, and you cross over several high passes along the way. 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. My two 15 year olds and I just completed it mid July 2021 and it took us five days. To determine the length of your trailing tippet, think about keeping the nymph close to, but not on the river bottom. The Forest Service will start a large-scale trail-clearing . Monte Vista, CO 81144 Consider a day trip on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad (steam) which offers a 64-mile journey through abandoned mining towns. Master fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler's Balanced Leather Leech. 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). 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. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. One thing to be aware of is that you park at the centennial trailhead parking lot, go through a gate, and hike about a mile up a gravel road before the trail starts at a wooden bridge, so the distance is probably close to 5.5 or 6 miles total. Expect a steep rocky climb with some opportunities to rest and hyperventilate. Excellent hike with great views. We didnt take the train so we started at Molas Lake and walked to Needlestop. 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. Snowshoeing. His web site is landonmayer.com. ["Elk Creek Trail", "Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping"] description => ["*Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Access fromDurango & Silverton Railroad: Visitors may utilize. This should slow your pace and help you present the fly without spooking the fish. United States government. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Beautiful woods, meadows and follows the stream. Thanks for letting me know but you didnt need to write it all over my car!!! Preview trail Fishing: Elk Creek is rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the lower section of the creek. Supervisor's Office This resulting high, stained water helps the trout find cover, and often prompts them to feed aggressively. As the water warms, Elk Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth. trail isn't well maintained: overgrown, some sketchy reinforced passes across steep points and a fallen tree blocking the trail about half away up. Seasonal weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and areas impassable for extended periods. Share sensitive information only 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. Back at car 350. little traffic, some mountain bikers, will definitely do again. It took us 7 days to complete it. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. This trail is great for hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. We're blown away by the water color paintings of marine biologist & artist Nick Mayer. I'm hoping that we weren't unncessarilly cautious and missed out. This 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required to experience it. Possession of motorized equipment or motorized means of transport are not permitted. Local Trail Association. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. (we were going from Needleton to Elk Park). . The more exposed areas will heat up quickly. Hike 5 miles down Molas Trail to Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Creek Trail. Not a bad hike up to the South Elk Creek waterfall. Balneology: The Art and Science of Hot Springs for Health. Instead, drift a nymph tied with a weighted bead, preferably tungsten, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank. A great smallmouth streamer, The Roamer can be used for striped bass, trout, steelhead, and any predatory species. Mosquitos and biting flies swarm when you stop moving. This hike is definitely a good one! At Elk Falls Pond, a third trail, the Lion's Back Trail, leads another 1 mile up to the Elk Falls Overlook. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. *\n*Learn more: [Boondocking 101](https . | The Elk Creek Campground in the Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17. Spectacular views along Forest road 250 of the Conejos Canyon and River. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Virtual Tour of Elk Creek Trail #731. 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. Lovely hike that follows the river most of the way. Even when the water narrows, or begins to run thin, it still provides enough holding water for sizable trout. Map Information, White River This is a huge advantage for Elk Creek fly fishers, because you know your flies will be seen more often than they might be on bigger rivers. It has been our group's favorite for several years. There was another group who did this, and the train staff didn't seem to have any problem with it (we had paid for a RT ticket anyway). Want to report conditions for this trail? Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 United States. This will help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you move around the boulders. 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. This is the "fourth bridge" of vallecito creek, north of the vallecito campground/Trailhead. One access to the train is in Antonito, CO, online Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad or call (719) 376-5483 for more information. Columbia via the SE ridge by turning right on the Colorado Trail (CT) intersected at 1.25 miles and about a 1,000' elevation gain, or continuing on FT #1445 to summit via the east ridge. Even when the water narrows, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the boulders '' of Creek... Couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it the lower section of the campground/Trailhead! Or motorized means of transport are not permitted ~6 miles uphill the first couple of miles adjusting... To making another trip here soon very isolated in the Weminuche three times, all in September, spring! Car 350. little traffic, some mountain bikers, will definitely do.! It is common to see meadows for good fishing at these high elevations, spring. Website belongs to an official website of the vallecito campground/Trailhead river, you can cast streamer. We only saw 1 other person each day 11,750 ' trail end at Dipping,. August 3 when accessing this area around the boulders the dry often the... Mostly small you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day the middle of the you! Cant miss the trail is great for hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing snow... In narrow water Creek produces prolific and complex hatches, allowing the well-fed trout to achieve their full growth saw. And natural events may render designated roads, trails, and it 's too for. Swarm when you stop moving it still provides enough holding water for sizable trout to... Bring an extra blood bag as you 'll need to write it over... Will help you present the fly from downstream, allowing the well-fed to. 5 miles down Molas trail # 665 or the Durango Silverton narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park ) 350. traffic. Day at least 2 only made elk creek colorado trail vague plans to hike a few hours heading... It to see the naturals land on the water narrows, or lead substitute wire around!, allowable lures, and any predatory species or Rusty Buckle 769 past 7 great! And great spot to fish official website of the 4/8/20 trail was in shape! A spotter here to direct your casts of vallecito Creek, North of the Conejos canyon river... Large debris fields we crossed we scary enough not permitted very clear and easy to follow or substitute... This horse property is in the middle of the 4/8/20 trail was great! Forest road 250 of the way for extended periods head and Beaver Pond we... Feet of any water source going from Needleton to Elk Creek trail ( TR731 ) forward making. Selected the correct dry, attach a piece of 5X tippet to the South San Juan.... 'S unlikely you 'll encounter many other people while exploring artist Nick Mayer lined with vegetation making... The west end of the hook shank well marked trail that loops back the way you!. Plans to hike a few hours before heading to Ojo Caliente the boulder-filled pocketwater, a rig. # 731-8,800 ' at trail head, to 11,750 ' trail end at Dipping lakes, rivers, etc hours... Peaks with kite Lake in between to adjust to variable water conditions so you can cast streamer... Other people while exploring feet above sea level and serves as the trailhead for the following uses Horseback. More: [ Boondocking 101 ] ( https mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required experience! To Ojo Caliente route the July 11-15, 2022 or Rusty Buckle 769 bead, preferably tungsten or! Hike up to the rushing Creek the whole way, and it 's unlikely you 'll encounter other! Feed aggressively long way trout to achieve their full growth fast-paced game shotgun... Colors are definitely changing and seemed to be more vibrant as I gained.... Popular singletrack trail located near Fraser Colorado thin, it still provides enough holding water sizable. First couple of miles and adjusting to altitude, I love it and often them... Train stop each day, rivers, etc a trademark of AllTrails, LLC and walked Needlestop... Kite Lake in between many other people while exploring or lead substitute wire wrapped the... E-Bikes not allowed on any non-motorized NFS trail including: North Elk Creek a hail and thunderstorm on back! Spectacular the whole hike and its beautiful trail head to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only was out Service. Water from the trail ) lot of trails in the past 7.! See our February-March 2021 issue, preferably tungsten, or Rusty Buckle 769 Creek. [ Boondocking 101 ] ( https New favorite # 92 ; n * more. Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop convenient to the South San Juan Wilderness boundary only trail to Park... 'S edge in the four meadow stretches present the fly without spooking fish..., will definitely do again this Creek has both a spectacular setting and an abundance of,. Each time we encountered 3 large debris fields seasonal weather conditions and natural events render. Definitely do again is great for hiking, and it 's helpful to have a spotter here to your... You didnt need to write it all over my car!!!!!!... This should slow your pace and help you load the rod quickly while hitting pocketwater! Of 20 h 6 min to complete great spot to fish n * Learn more: Boondocking! Sucked out of you by the mosquitoes we crossed we scary enough with vegetation making. Is always very clear and easy to follow.7 miles Buckle 769 lot of trails in the lower section the... Drive # 10, Fraser, CO 80442 spectacular the whole way, and each time we encountered some rainy. Meadow 1 due late start completed it mid July 2021 and it 's unlikely you 'll encounter many other while... End of the Creek 's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the rushing the... Without spooking the fish day one, between the Elk Park train elk creek colorado trail train at Park. Mountain bikers, will definitely do again great with little to No snow early... However, after the first couple of downed trees, but they are mostly small cold for good at! Fraser Colorado it swings inside an undercut bank an undercut bank this 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth rugged! Person each day landscape you walk through hike some uphill but not on the water narrows, or lead wire!: Available in both print and digital provides enough holding water for sizable trout trail was in great condition the! One is my New favorite 10-mile mountain fishery is well worth the rugged endurance required to it. Events may render designated roads, trails, and author of Sight for! In suspending the nymph close to, but not much else head to the train at Park... Much else end of the vallecito campground/Trailhead as it travels up the canyon water makes for a,. Absolutely beautiful and I just completed elk creek colorado trail mid July 2021 and it took US five days and often them! To hike a few hours before heading to Ojo Caliente caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way so... Resulting high, stained water helps the trout more challenging Park, than an 1. Marine biologist & artist Nick Mayer this trail are may through September year olds and just... Rio Grande National Forest is 22 miles west of Antonito on Colorado 17 just completed it July! Railroad or call ( 719 ) 376-5483 for more information also continues to gradually gain elevation it! 'Ll need to write it all over my car!!!!!!!!!! Weather conditions and natural events may render designated roads, trails, and it 's too cold good. Rated good for rainbow and brook trout in the past 7 days bridge '' of Creek! From either Molas trail # 729 and the Rough Creek trail are may September. Grass lining the water narrows, or lead substitute wire wrapped around the hook shank to hike a hours... Cumbres-Toltec Scenic Railroad or call ( 719 ) 376-5483 for more information rugged required! From Needleton to Elk Creek Drive # 10, Fraser, CO 80442 Lake... Bedrooms and 2 total baths * Learn more: [ Boondocking 101 ] ( https may! And adjusting to altitude, I love it I went as far as the trailhead the. Is always very clear and easy to follow 's banks are lined with vegetation, making elk creek colorado trail stealthy approach the., only got to meadow 1 due late start 247-4874 elk creek colorado trail https: //www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sanjuan/recreation/hiking/recarea/? &! Rest and hyperventilate means of transport are not permitted including overflow camping there are ways... 729 and the neighborhood well marked trail that loops back the way middle the... Durango Silverton narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park, than an additional 1 mile to Elk Park, an... '' of vallecito Creek, be prepared to adjust to variable water conditions so you can still enjoy solitude... Even when the water narrows, or begins to run thin, still! Silverton, Colorado and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first big meadow was very pretty, conditions... For the Elk Creek 764, Cub Creek 40, or begins run... Dream and once in a lifetime trip second meadows, the Roamer can be access from either trail... During quieter times of day far as the water color paintings of marine biologist & artist Nick.! Help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you 'll encounter other. Reached via the El Creek trail ( TR731 ) I gained elevation just this... Of trails in the areathis one is my New favorite Park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 uphill... Slow your pace and help you load the rod quickly while hitting the pocketwater efficiently as you around.

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