Colorado horseback archery elk

[greg_buxton]

First time elk hunting, myself and 2 others are looking at riding in to a wilderness area for a 10 day DIY hunt covering the 2nd week of elk season. We think we have it narrowed down to either unit 14 and Mount Zirkel wilderness or unit 751 and the Weminuche Wilderness. Was hoping to get some opinions on how tough the terrain is, accessibility and hunter density. Any info would be great.

 

[ahlgringo]

You should check out a terrain map- that will tell you how steep it is. If riding in- you will be relegated to the more developed trails- those will be on a map too. Both units will have a lot of hunters in them.

 

[justinspicher]

There are a couple of outfitters in 751’s Wenimuche wilderness. No matter which direction you come from, it’s a long ride before you can do any decent hunting. Last year the amount of deadfall was atrocious, the FS had a hard time getting the main trail open and the outfitters did a ton of work as well. It’s been an incredibly dry winter here so I imagine the conditions aren’t much better.

 

[greg_buxton]

I said terrain but I guess I should have said ground cover, dead falls, and burned areas. I have been doing the Topo and satellite scouting but it is never as good as a first hand account from someone who has seen it. Thanks for the info.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[rayporter]

it is rugged -level spots are at a premium. off the trail you are constantly climbing over black timber.

 

[Nomad]

There are a couple of outfitters in 751’s Wenimuche wilderness. No matter which direction you come from, it’s a long ride before you can do any decent hunting. Last year the amount of deadfall was atrocious, the FS had a hard time getting the main trail open and the outfitters did a ton of work as well. It’s been an incredibly dry winter here so I imagine the conditions aren’t much better.

One of the WWA trails I hiked last year in mid July on a scouting/fishing trip was (basically) 100% clear from the TH to the 5 mile mark. From there to the 10 mile mark I counted 71 downed trees on the trail. It's a long way to the top, if ya wanna rock n' roll. (Bagpipes)

 

[justinspicher]

the FS has four wilderness rangers to keep the trails clear in the wenimuche wilderness. Approximately 150 miles of trails and all done with cross cut saws.

 

[Beendare]

the FS has four wilderness rangers to keep the trails clear in the wenimuche wilderness. Approximately 150 miles of trails and all done with cross cut saws.

Studs! is all I can say.

I saw one trail in Oregon one year that had 20 logs in a bunch crisscrossed across a trail section. I asked the first service gal at the TH about it and she said there was an old German gal and her husband that did the trail work there.....FOR THE EXERCISE!. Definitely some skill to it too when you get those logs crossing......and then to do it with an old bucksaw and a couple mules, OMG....pretty cool.
_________

I've been in both of those wilderness areas you mentioned archery elk hunting....heres a hint, you need to get off the main trails....the beaten path if you will. Both gorgeous areas....especially when the aspens start to turn.

 

[Nomad]

That is nuts. I ran into a crew with a leader by the name of "Roz" at the TH hiking in. They were hauling gravel in a mile or so to do some trail work with 2 strings of mules and a whole lotta volunteers and some NFS employees. It was pretty cool to see. Wish I'd got a pic. Talked to a retired dentist in parking lot who was getting water troughs set up and filled. That whole encounter sorta opened my eyes and lit a fire.

Good lord willin and the creeks don't rise, I'll be putting some skin in the game this summer