I wanted to come back to my thread and give a recap for those that may read the thread debating the same things I did, or for the veterans who have graciously helped and encouraged along the way.
Personal Goals for the trip:
#1 Hear a bull bugle
#2 Find fresh sign and see elk
#3 Have opportunity to shoot elk (get in close enough)
#4 Take elk home in cooler! (obvious goal of any hunter)
Going against my wife's worries and concerns, I made the final decision to take off solo on my trip to CO to hunt. Thanks to the encouragement of many of you here. I made the decision to hunt the 16th - 21st, as there was a new moon and theoretically, the rut should be getting started based on previous history. The dates were set, now I just needed to know where I was going.
I did not draw the LE tag I was hoping for in the primary, but I was lucky enough to pick up a LE tag in the secondary draw that had been turned in for a unit I was interested in anyhow. However, I only had 2 weeks to do some e-scouting for the new tag now, as all my previous e-scouting was spent on OTC units thinking that was my plan. Anyhow, I had a plan set forth with 5 different options and on Monday the 14th, I took off on my 26 hour drive headed for the Rockies!
Jacked up on adrenaline and gas station coffee, I arrived on Tuesday afternoon making the drive straight through. Upon arrival to the area, I realized I was in no shape to be humping it up the mountain, physically or mentally. I decided that I would slow down, get a hotel for the night where I could get a good meal, a hot shower, and a good night's sleep. My plan was to get everything resituated and packed that night, and I would be up early to start the drive into the unit.
As I expected the drive to take me 2.5 hours, at 3:30am I departed the hotel parking lot. I topped off the truck with gas and myself with more gas station coffee and away I went! As I traversed my way through the winding mountain road, I quickly found I was not the only one with the same plan. I ended up frustrated at one point because I was behind a caravan of 5 vehicles, all headed in the same direction. I remember thinking to myself "they're going to get to my spot first, and I'm going to have to go to plan B right away!". Somewhere along the way I started laughing at myself because I had to remember there was over 250,000 acres of land to access and the likelihood of them going to the spots I identified are pretty slim and I needed to enjoy the moment! Soon after laughing at myself, a truck pulled off, then another, and another, etc. until there was only me again on the lonely winding road. After 2.5 hours of driving, I finally reached my destination. I had finally made it, sweet success! Daylight was just beginning to creep in, so I decided I would shoot a few arrows, make sure my bow was good, and increase my confidence that all was ready, one last time. Settled up things in my truck, strapped on my pack, and away I went into the unknown!
As a little side note: Since I had limited time and wanted to be mobile on foot, I packed enough food for 5 nights worth; total pack weight around 55 lbs. At the advice of several people on Rokslide, I spent a good amount of time in the offseason refining items in my pack, reducing weight, etc. This proved valuable as I was pretty excited to keep my pack weight down low for the trek. Had I not listened to that advice, I am sure my pack would have been 10+ additional lbs. There are still things I know I can shed about 5 lbs with after the trip.
I pretty well knew the hardest part of the day was directly in front of me, 2000 ft of elevation gain in 1.5 miles of switchback trails. As I started the climb, I quickly noted the shortness or breath, not from being physically tired, but straight up "I cannot get enough oxygen". Again, I had to laugh at myself as I knew this was going to happen and here it is hitting me in the face 1/4 mile into the trek and there is not a thing I can do about it except stop to catch my breath every 20 steps!
The views (although smoky from fires) made it worth the slowing down to catch my breath. After about 2 hours of slow walking, I finally reached the top of the ridge at 10,700 ft. Woohoo!
Because it was so dry in this area (all of CO), my first task was to find drinking water and scout along the way. I had around 10 spots picked out I thought I could find water suitable to filter/drink. This general area that I picked out was not very open, A LOT (90%) within 1+ mile any direction was thick timber. I figured this is where elk would go when pushed from all directions. I started navigating my general route hitting the water spots and checking for sign along the way. Found a couple recently used wallows and some fresher sign and now I'm thinking this is good! Hit all of my "water" spots to find out they were all dry, or what was left was mud... After doing this most of the day and traveling nearly 9 miles traversing deadfall, I was pretty spent and now frustrated. I made my way to a nearby meadow to sit and ponder my next moves.
It was about 5:30pm when it happened, I hear a faint bugle. Maybe 600 yards away in the timber. I thought to myself no way, it's only the afternoon of day 1. But then, another faint bugle answers from the same general direction, but up the hillside. I throw my pack back on and take off (probably running with excitement) towards their direction. As I get to the timber, I begin to slow and listen. There are two bulls on either side of a small drainage bugling back and forth. I could tell the one going to the right must have been a bigger bull as his bugle and grunts were much deeper/raspy than the other's. Guessing he was a herd bull with cows telling the other to "stay back!" I could tell what general direction he was headed so I started in a route where I could get ahead of him. MISTAKE 1, in my excitement and rushing, I did not check the wind. You guessed it, blowing downhill right to them. Things went quiet shortly after me heading their direction. Tried cow calling and waited 30 min or so, nothing. I'm thinking I blew it and those elk are over a mile a way now! So I backed out and went back to the meadow to think about my next moves.
It's now pushing 7pm. I am sitting there admiring the beauty and thinking, well goal #1 was met first day: I heard a bull bugle! Not one, but two! I decided on a camping location which would be hidden and out of the way. I start unloading my gear and all of the sudden something catches my eye. I look up to see 3 cows, 2 calves, and HOLY MOLY 6x6 bull walking out into the meadow about 200 yards away! Not far from where I was trying to get the drop on them. They must have gotten quiet and only circled around. Had I stayed put for another 30-45 min, I'd be looking at a 40-50 yard shot on this bull! I am so dumbfounded at this point all I could do was watch and look through my binos. Didn't even think to get a picture. They were not hanging out long as the bull was hurrying them across the meadow and into the timber. At this point, I am shocked. Goal #2 was just met since I found an area with elk and saw them! After reading many of the stories on here about folks not finding elk, I am feeling I am either extremely lucky or my time e-scouting paid off! Anyways, the light was fading quickly so I got camp set up, cooked and ate supper, and settled in for the night. Texted the wife and buddies back home about my day on the inreach and settled in for some sleep. Anxious for what the remaining 5 days would bring!
