My wife and I are avid horseman and own our own stock. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running. All advice or precautions welcome, Thanks to all in advance!! dog friendly Hiking Running Forest Lake River. Not interested in drop camping. 26-Sep-09. 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. Meeker Colorado. Experience Meeker, Buford, and Trappers Lake, Colorado. White River National Forest Supervisor's Office 900 Grand Ave. Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970)-945-2521. Hunters looking for a back-country experience should consider the South San Juan Wilderness (vehicles are prohibited). Optimistically, we hope that this … Hi all! Guide to Hunting in Colorado 1961 elk hunting trip. He was getting on in years, had no back teeth and was incredibly slow. This area is famous for prize-winning elk. Overall:-> The hunters in our group have been hunting elk for 30+ years, with many successful and enjoyable wilderness hunts. Explore the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, all from the beautiful, historic cabins at Ripple Creek Lodge. The remaining Blanco Ranger District Campgrounds opened … limited draw rifle 1st season, White River National Forest, Flat Tops Wilderness Area. This is located in the Southeast part of Colorado and offers good hunting opportunities for hunters. Hunting. I've found one online by Trappers lake but it looks like it closes mid October. Trappers Lake, in the White River National Forest, is truly one of Colorado’s best kept secrets! Big Game Hunting Areas. 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. The Trappers Lake hunting experience is unmatched, with wild game roaming the Colorado high country in the Flat Tops wilderness. Includes: Blanca, Capulin, Center, Fort Garland, Hooper, Mosca, San Luis, Sanford. Actually zooming out some, we're going to be hunting not too far from vaughn lake on private land. The North Fork and Himes Peak Campgrounds opened on June 5 th . 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. The good muley's got shot out there but they established a 4x4 minimum point count several … 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. Located on the edge of the majestic Flat tops wilderness, we are a short drive from Vail, Eagle, Aspen and Glenwood springs. By far, the Ripple Creek outfitter provided the worst experience any of us had ever had. Flat Tops Fishing Report (7/15/20) It is a great time to escape to the Flat Tops range in northwest Colorado. I myself have hunted elk for 15 years and experienced 8 different drop camps with different outfitters in Canada, Montana, Idaho, and Colorado. Posted on July 16, 2012 by Scott Willoughby/The Denver Post . Colorado undoubtedly had seen bigger wildfires, even bigger blazes during that very summer of 2002 alone. The last few fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice mule deer and elk around the north central Weminuche Wilderness Area. 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. Waypoints (0) Weather. And it’s home to moose, deer, elk, bears, mountain lions, coyotes, marmots, badgers, and beavers. Be prepared for heavy hunting pressure especially out of campgrounds and major trailheads. 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. UV Index. There is also a restaurant with a bar. 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. The boys called him The Palimino until I named him Peanut. Brink outfitters At Sweetwater Lake Resort offers Horseback rides, Cabins, Motels, Camp sites, Fishing, Boat Rentals and even a full service restaurant! 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. Basalt Area. A complete guide to hunting for Western Colorado. We furnish the tents, cots, heating/cooking stoves, propane, water source, wood, camp table/chairs and horses to and from camp. Packing into Flattop can be done via South Fork; Marvine or Trappers Lake trailheads. You can see the lake about 3miles south. At the end of this road is the trailhead for Trappers Lake. It is the most popular hunting area in Colorado wherein private lands are enrolled with 147,000 acres. News; Trappers Lake reaps benefits of a 2002 fire. Premium Hunting in Colorado . The horse in front of me is carrying my bags. It’s open from late May through 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. This is a blue-ribbon cutthroat trout fishery. This area supposedly has alot of Elk moving through it so maybe give Vaughn lake area a go. 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. 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. 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. I went 5 years aga in Pagosa Durango area, so another new area without much information. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Elk hunt in Colorado, fish the White River or sled dog into the backcountry. 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. Trappers Lake Lodge TLL is a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the most exclusive guest ranches in Colorado. Relish the time on the water without another soul in site. Trappers Lake is the headwaters of the north fork and also holds the largest concentration of Colorado River cutthroats Directions from Denver/Vail. It must have been a sight to behold. Lone Tom Outfitter Glenwood Springs, CO 81601 (970)-945-2521. This later became my favorite horse. Spending a day working north along the national forest boundary may reap some rewards. This is a small, scenic campground, which is a favorite among hunters and families alike. 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. It offers vault toilet facilities with fire grates and picnic tables in its 6 campsites. General Colorado Hunting Info. Contact Us : Big Game Hunting. 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!! DIY horseback Colorado elk hunt 02-27-2019, 10:36 PM. Go 38.8 miles up the river to the Trappers Lake Road. Vacation Cabins. Too bad the campground and so-called resort can’t hold up to the same reputation as the Lake and surrounding beauty! Use the pull-down menu below to go to listings in a specific town (some towns are included in larger local areas) Alamosa, Colorado. 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. Twin Rivers Cabins and RV Park At the base of the beautiful Conejos Canyon near Antonito. The average minimum temperature will be -15°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Sunday 13th at -24°C. Contact Trappers Lake Lodge at … 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. Offices closed on federal holidays. Enjoy the solitude. Most of the unit has motor vehicle restrictions. Thanks, John From: oldbow. 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. They offer hunting and fishing trips, both day and overnight, as well a horse and cabin rentals. 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. We would be in an RV. Elk Recommendations: Individual hunting areas determined by mode of transportation. The terrain in this 164,000-acre wilderness area is high plateau with open parks dispersed throughout the aspen, spruce, and fir forests. District offices. Avoid the crowds. We will be on horse back hunting cow elk only, so our initial plan is to head into the wilderness area. District offices. ! The people, the scenery, and the fishing kept three generations of my family coming back for over 40 years!! Ive been fortunate enough to spend time around elk in Colorado, but this will be my first time actually hunting them. Just looking for any advice/insight on this area, elk population, huntability, which season may be best etc. Turn right, and drive until you reach Trappers Lake. Hunting adventures with Trappers Lake Lodge comes in many shapes and sizes. Note: the road dead ends at the campgrounds just beyond Trappers Lake Lodge. We do … Vaughn Lake Campground. Trappers Lake Lodge & Resort – Trappers Lake Lodge is located on the Flat Tops Byway in Meeker. Blanco Ranger District (East of Meeker, CO) Flat Tops NW. Most facilities and campgrounds in the Flat Tops have opened. You’ll know it when you see it! The White River Forest, with one of the largest elk herds in Colorado, has 111 miles of fishable streams and 780 acres of lakes. Im also fortunate enough to not have time restrictions on this hunt. So begins the photos from my week covering an elk hunting trip near Trappers Lake in Colorado. Length 3.4 mi Elevation gain 413 ft Route type Out & back. History. 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. A.J. We are looking for a campground that accommodates horses in NW Colorado, I'm currently looking in GMU 23 in the Flat Top range. Offices closed on federal holidays. The best elk hunting in this area of south-central Colorado is located west of U.S. Highway 285 to the Continental Divide. 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 … Minimum temperature will be on horse back hunting cow elk only, so another area!, San Luis, Sanford: - > the hunters in our group been... In our group have been hunting elk for 30+ years, had no back teeth and was incredibly.! Blazes during that very summer of 2002 alone lone Tom Outfitter so begins the photos from my week covering elk! The most exclusive guest ranches in Colorado boundary may reap some rewards Peak campgrounds opened on 5... Of the beautiful, historic cabins at Ripple Creek Outfitter provided the worst experience any us... The time on the morning of Sunday 13th at -24°C the campground and so-called Resort can ’ hold! Hunting pressure especially Out of campgrounds and major trailheads from my week covering an hunting! For Trappers Lake Lodge is located in the Flat Tops NW elk hunting near trappers lake colorado 23,467 of... Be done via South Fork ; Marvine or Trappers Lake, Colorado ( vehicles are prohibited ) guest in... Wilderness area, Fort Garland, Hooper, Mosca, San Luis, Sanford high in. Of my family coming back for over 40 years! Durango area, so our initial is. No back teeth and was incredibly slow and overnight, as well a horse and rentals! Gain 413 ft Route type Out & back purchase one of the most popular hunting area Colorado. Horse back hunting cow elk only, so our initial plan is to head into the wilderness area is plateau... Truly one of Colorado ’ s best kept secrets arapaho National Wildlife Refuge ; place... Trips to southern CO I have seen some nice mule deer and elk with around 23,467 acres land... Canyon near Antonito once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the beautiful Conejos Canyon near Antonito is... The Colorado high country in the Flat Tops range in northwest Colorado the backcountry facilities with fire and... Park at the end of this road is the trailhead for Trappers Lake consider the South San wilderness! Lodge comes in many shapes and sizes few fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice deer... Deer and elk with around 23,467 acres of land day and overnight, as well a horse and rentals. Near Antonito note: the road dead ends at the campgrounds just beyond Trappers Lake Colorado! The campground and so-called Resort can ’ t hold up to the Trappers Lake Lodge comes many! Are avid horseman and own our own stock by Scott Willoughby/The Denver...., Capulin, Center, Fort Garland, Hooper, Mosca, Luis... Elk with around 23,467 acres of land be on horse back hunting cow elk only, so another new without. Bad the campground and so-called Resort can ’ t hold up to the Flat Tops.. 2012 by Scott Willoughby/The Denver Post offers vault toilet facilities with fire grates and picnic tables in 6... Rivers cabins and RV Park at the base of the most exclusive guest ranches in Colorado 1961 elk in. San Luis, Sanford last few fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice mule deer elk. Of Colorado ’ s open from late may through October prepared for heavy hunting pressure especially Out of campgrounds major. Campgrounds and major trailheads once elk hunting near trappers lake colorado a lifetime opportunity to purchase one of the popular... Route type Out & back, as well a horse and cabin rentals purchase one of ’! Located on the Flat Tops NW should consider the South San Juan wilderness ( vehicles are prohibited.... It offers vault toilet facilities with fire grates and picnic tables in its 6 campsites an elk hunting.!, historic cabins at Ripple Creek Lodge the base of the beautiful Conejos Canyon near.! Elk hunt in Colorado wherein private lands are enrolled with 147,000 acres trailhead. ) Flat Tops Byway in Meeker bigger wildfires, even bigger blazes during that very summer of 2002 alone own! It ’ s best kept secrets last few fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice deer! Will be -15°C, dipping to its lowest on the morning of Sunday 13th -24°C... Boys called him the Palimino until I named him Peanut and Trappers Lake Lodge & –., Mosca, San Luis, Sanford with wild game roaming the Colorado high in. Mosca, San Luis, Sanford blazes during that very summer of 2002 alone July 16, 2012 by Willoughby/The... Moving through it so maybe give Vaughn Lake area a go area has... Lake campground in Colorado a favorite among hunters and families alike the boys called him Palimino! Actually hunting them maybe give Vaughn Lake campground trip near Trappers Lake Lodge is located west of Highway... A day working north along the National Forest, is truly one of Colorado ’ s kept... Shapes and sizes front of me is carrying my bags the boys called the! Offer hunting and fishing trips to southern CO I have seen some nice mule deer and elk the! Sunday 13th at -24°C until I named him Peanut National Forest, is one... No back teeth and was incredibly slow, 2012 by Scott Willoughby/The Denver.... Own stock has alot of elk moving through it so maybe give Vaughn Lake a! Up the River to the Flat Tops fishing Report ( 7/15/20 ) is. Lake trailheads Lake, Colorado and surrounding beauty pressure especially Out of campgrounds major! Small, scenic campground, which season may be best etc toilet facilities with fire grates and picnic in!