Colorado GMU 53

[Jahvette20]

We got on a stud bull a few years ago during rifle deep in west elk. He was in a gnarly area, we back packed in from coal creek to haystack mountain not to bad of a hike.

Did you run into many other hunters or outfitters when you got back in there. I’m sure the coal creek trailhead will be swamped but wondering how deep most guys get


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[Wapiti66]

Anyone have recent experience with parking on coal creek rd or how the outfitters are using the area?

Read some of the posts above. Coal Crk road is very busy. I used it two years ago and took the last remaining parking spot the night I arrived. Multiple buddy campers hiking in and several horse trailers including mine. It’s a long hike to get to elk, and you can expect to find more hunters than elk if and when you get there. Dellis has multiple camps and they stay pretty full. Another outfitter hits it from the north. I’d look at another option personally

 

[Wapiti66]

Did you run into many other hunters or outfitters when you got back in there. I’m sure the coal creek trailhead will be swamped but wondering how deep most guys get


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In 2017 I packed in around 6 miles to set up camp. Lots of hunters, drop camps and locals. They all got there with pack animals. Very disappointed to say the least to find that type of crowd

 

[bowhuntr14]

Headed to this area for opener of archery season. This is our first time for the opener what kind of temps/weather have you guys seen that time of the year? Trying to figure our what gear to pack.

 

[Nuke Man]

Was thinking about checking this area out this fall. Maybe rethinking it now.

 

[Gerard Marcaurele]

And here I am as a newbie thinking I had a good plan together.... sounds like everyone else has the same plan!

 

[Jahvette20]

And here I am as a newbie thinking I had a good plan together.... sounds like everyone else has the same plan!

Haha I’m in the same boat. The more places I dig deep into the more I cross off the list. Im beginning to think crowds are inevitable in all general otc areas. I guess it’s just time to settle on what looks promising and hope to find some seclusion. It would be a bummer to hike in 7 miles to find horse camps everywhere.


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[Gerard Marcaurele]

Haha I’m in the same boat. The more places I dig deep into the more I cross off the list. Im beginning to think crowds are inevitable in all general otc areas. I guess it’s just time to settle on what looks promising and hope to find some seclusion. It would be a bummer to hike in 7 miles to find horse camps everywhere.


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I’m almost tempted to get a unit with so-so success rates and find the nastiest terrain I can and just dive in. I spend hours upon hours digging through the ratios and put together a spread that shows average days per kill, but after all that I see report after report that these units are crawling with people. It may be better to just find an area that’s decent and get out there to get some legitimate hiking/camping experience.

I’m after anything legal, so potentially if I can outwork some folks I could get into them. However, lots of folks out there have the exact same mindset. I guess that’s the way it goes with OTC

 

[Boomtakem2]

We were in 53 last fall during the first two weeks of archery. Went in horseback approx. 7 miles and it was still more crowded than I thought it might be. In fact, I think there may be a hiking happy medium of going in 3, or so, miles (A bit further than the road hunter's, but not as deep as the horse guys?)

 

[jwl76]

We were in 53 last fall during the first two weeks of archery. Went in horseback approx. 7 miles and it was still more crowded than I thought it might be. In fact, I think there may be a hiking happy medium of going in 3, or so, miles (A bit further than the road hunter's, but not as deep as the horse guys?)

Boom - if you don't mind sharing where did you start from with the horses?

 

[Boomtakem2]

Jw - Coal Creek TH.

 

[jwl76]

Jw - Coal Creek TH.

Thanks!

 

[Phaseolus]

The Beaver Jungle will be busy, is 53 busier than other units? nope.

 

[chasewild]

GMU 53 is THE REASON -- singular -- that I harp on guys who post about GMU numbers, want help, and share trailheads, basins, etc. on a public forum. It was good, and over night, it changed -- like within one year. I now hunt the unit for bears - happy to share info on that, because beaver, haystack, chains, guero, sand, south saddle...they've all got camps in them every year.

 

[CLibka]

Experience there last year, very very busy. Especially off Coal Creek. Stumbled upon multiple horse camps, and backpack hunters. Will be trying somewhere new in 2019. Good luck everyone!

 

[mproberts]

GMU 53 is THE REASON -- singular -- that I harp on guys who post about GMU numbers, want help, and share trailheads, basins, etc. on a public forum. It was good, and over night, it changed -- like within one year. I now hunt the unit for bears - happy to share info on that, because beaver, haystack, chains, guero, sand, south saddle...they've all got camps in them every year.

That's a bummer to hear. I hunted it 4 years ago and thought it was good and that the terrain limited much of the crowds. Guess things have changed.

 

[Phaseolus]

I’ve hunted 53 for years, long before there were forums. Some years it got real crowded, the next it wasn’t. I always did well regardless.

 

[johnhenry]

The place really has become a zoo. On Black Mesa and up Coal Creek like other's have said. As for water yes there is always water in the mountains (any mountain) you just have to know where to look. This year there will most likely still be snow banks in the high basin.

 

[LongWayAround]

We hiked a good few miles into 53 last year to find a bigass ramshackle tarp tepee full of muzzleloaders with mules from Wisconsin... Like a dozen of them, maybe more.

It was kind of funny really. We still had a bull bugling outside of our tent one night but failed to find him at daylight.

 

[trophyhill]

We were in 53 last fall during the first two weeks of archery. Went in horseback approx. 7 miles and it was still more crowded than I thought it might be. In fact, I think there may be a hiking happy medium of going in 3, or so, miles (A bit further than the road hunter's, but not as deep as the horse guys?)

Most definitely. 3 miles is the sweet spot for me. Packing one out more than 4 miles could be very difficult depending on terrain. Now if the weather cooperates and you can keep meat cool for a few days, those longer packs are doable. But you better be more determined than you've ever been or you will lose meat.