Snowmobiling. Lots of flowers, waterfalls, and views. The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Dry and hot. East Elk Creek Trail #1841 is 6.9 miles long and is the closest Forest Service recreation site to the Town of New Castle. The narrow water continues as you enter Third and Fourth meadows. Didnt see waterfall up to that point. Please note that FR-654 is rough and narrow and there is only room for 2-3 vehicles at the end of the road. Write a Review. Phone: 719-657-3321 It is verdant throughout, hiking along the creek the whole time. We definitely underestimated the length and altitude. Colorado Mountain . "Moderate" seems an understatement. Firewood is not provided. As they climb, visitors are treated to a variety of good views of East Elk Creek Canyon. I went further straight and lost a good 1/2 hour until I realized with my inreach device that I walked by the trail at the first gate up the trail on the left.zero people on the trail and some 1-2 snow to walk through but the trail is not muddy. Again, a lot of trees were down that we had to circumnavigate. 14.5 miles - Turn left on "FS 159" dirt road for .7 miles. Great trail. We had been told by the forest service that we would encounter more avalanche debris fields in the basin. This jigging technique will allow you present streamers to trout that would be otherwise unapproachable. The four debris fields we crossed we scary enough. The best times to visit this trail are May through October. website belongs to an official government organization in the Achieve this by selecting the proper length for your leader. Durango, CO 81301 There are a lot of trees down throughout the Johnson Creek and Needle Creek drainages - another hiker counted 155 trees across the trail on the way down from Chicago Basin to Needleton, but it looks like the FS is working their way up, clearing from the bottom up. But if a storm blows in, bringing hours of heavy rain, the water rises quickly. At Second Meadows, the creek's banks are lined with vegetation, making a stealthy approach to the trout more challenging. It is lightly wooded with spruce and some ponderosa pines. Cant wait to check it out in other seasons! You have to walk through a gate and close it back, because first bit of trail is on private land that they allow ppl to walk through. All other sites are side-by-side pull-throughwith no tables and seven grills. Really strenuous going up be we also went mid day when it was hot. Great trail with beautiful views! We followed Bear Creek down to the Rio Grande by following the 4wd road and used our sat phone to arrange for transportation to Silverton. 102 Elk Creek . Larimer County. But any days in the woods are better than most days doing anything else. This is more remote, with higher canyon walls and less people. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Beautiful woods, meadows and follows the stream. For the boulder-filled pocketwater, a dry-dropper rig is helpful in suspending the nymph, though the dry often attracts the strike. Lots of wildlife tracks. 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. Vehicle Info. United States government. There's nothing like reflecting on the day's adventures by firelight and wondering what water or trout lie ahead. 15.2 miles - Turn right on "Zoom" single track for 1.0 miles. *In the spring of 2019, four massive avalanches barreled across the Elk Creek Trail covering the trail with debris in four separates areas. Bring an extra blood bag as you'll need to counter what's sucked out of you by the mosquitoes. Share sensitive information only Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. First meadow is 3 miles from the trailhead. Perform this maneuver while standing directly above the area where the trout is holding, knowing that the fish cannot see anything above its position. A gorgeous fall hike, lots of color. Please check the fishing regulations regarding limits, allowable lures, and restrictions on certain lakes, rivers, etc. Great backpacking experience!! Nature: Singletrack Status: Phase One complete, Phase Two under construction At the trail's highest point is a series of stillwaters called Dipping Lakes. About 2.25 miles from the parking area is where the trail goes out to more exposed rock and fewer trees. Great to explore though. 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. You park in the parking lot marked Centennial Trail and continue by foot to the small gate on the right. 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. We got off the train at elk park ~11:45am and hiked ~6 miles uphill the first day. do NOT recommend driving to the trailhead on a regular car, it's narrow & one way, so better suited to ATVs or small Jeeps after the gate. 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,. All Rights Reserved. Highly recommend. Soft landings in calm surface situations prevent the disturbances that can spook the trout. Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, 8 Best Fly Fishing Knots You Should Know How to Tie, Finding and Catching Trout in Mountain Lakes, Bugs, Aquatic Invertebrates, and other Forage Food of Mountain Lakes, Over the Guardrail: Sometimes a Monumental Journey Can be Close to Home, Tying Matt Winkler's Balanced Leather Leech, Angler And Artist Inspiration: Nick Mayer Art, Tying Villwock's The RoamerA Streamer for All Species, Blood Run: Fly Fishing with Amazon Warriors. When the creek is low and clear, the trout are usually looking up, making drys better choices. An official website of the Many . The trail was pretty empty. Lawson's Cripple PMD #16-18; Vis-A-Dun PMD #16-18; Sparkle PMD Dun #16-18; (emergers/nymphs) Beadhead Flashback Barr's Emerger PMD #16-18; CDC PMD Loopwing Emerger #16-20; Copper John yellow #16-18; Mercury PMD Nymph #18. For example, in August, Elk Creek typically runs low and clear. Did this in and back turning around a waterfall. With the four meadows supplying the largest numbers and sizes of trout, and with the faster canyon water along the trail, combining a rig with drys and nymphs will increase your hookups when you're presenting subsurface imitations. The second approach is to twitch the streamer as it swings inside an undercut bank. 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. In a big river, you can cast a streamer far, and retrieve it a long way. This time wasn't as bad as 1993, where my ancient A-frame tent blew down, but I'd suggest doing it in August for longer days and less rain. It can also be a lead fly for a nymphing setup on rivers. I did get caught in a hail and thunderstorm on way back so weather is changeable, be prepared!! Great trail. The trout's field of view covers nearly the entire width of the stream where it is holding, thereby improving your chances of a strike. Alamosa, 30 miles to the north, has chain motels and restaurants. Debris form 2020 avalanches on the elk park section have been cleared but theres quite a bit of fallen trees blocking the needle creek trail out of the Chicago Basin. United States. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. Elk Creek Campground is for day use and overnight use. website belongs to an official government organization in the Id rate it moderate. The trail then heads steadily uphill, winding its way along the creek and surrounding cliffsides. The trout manage to survive this demanding environment by hiding in deep pools below the winter ice, and beneath undercut banks. Amazing views and pretty easy navigation (cant miss the trail). Rate Quality . Any feedback appreciated. Parks near 105 Elk Creek Dr #10 include Hideaway Park, Colorado Adventure Park, and Dog Sled Rides of Winter Park. Elk Creek Trail 731, Duck Lake 732 and Posos Trail 732 can be accessed from here. To reach the trailhead, take 7th Street/Midland, which becomes the Buford Road (CR 245). The trail can be access from either Molas Trail #665 or the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Rainroad Elk Park train stop. Overall a pretty remote and isolated trail with beautiful scenery, clean water everywhere and pristine nature. Elk Creek Trail #503 is part of the Colorado Trail, traversing the mountains from Denver to Durango. To exit we kept walking all the way to Purgatory. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 6 min to complete. My dog and I loved it! You ride the Durango/Silverton Steam Train and it drops you off. Here the road becomes progressively more primitive, but keep going another 4.3 miles to reach the parking lot. There are two ways to approach this presentation problem. ) or https:// means you've safely 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. Outside the wilderness, the trail is open to mountain biking. Don't just fish the most obvious deep holes. Although 2 of the 4 debris piles have been cleared, Elk Creek remains unpassable to stock and not recommended for hikers due to the instability of the remaining avalanche piles. Steep cliffs of volcanic rock loom above the valley floor and are intermittently broken by side canyons. Biking. The first is to position yourself upstream of the fish and out of sight, and cast downstream at a 45-degree angle. Hiked from elk park to needleton 7/1/2022-7/4/2022. This approach is very long, requires a . Right now the waterfalls are still running strong and the pleasant sound of the water makes your time even that much more enjoyable!! After crossing the creek, continue for another 0.5 miles to an intersection with Spring Creek Trail #2068, which is just past a second creek crossing with a log bridge. For example, if you are fishing a pocket on the creek that is 5 feet deep, with a trout holding near bottom, the fish's viewing lane is much wider than if the fish were holding in shallower water. Hot. Virtual Tour of Elk Creek Trail #731. on official, secure websites. The trail is open for the following uses: Horseback riding, hiking, backpacking, cross country skiing and snow shoeing. Outfitter-guides who receive any form of compensation must obtain a special-use permit to operate on public land. I liked it better than the Grizzly Creek hike in Glenwood Canyon. LockA locked padlock Unfortunately the snow kept us from anything past the waterfall near 2nd meadow. Colors are definitely changing and seemed to be more vibrant as I gained elevation. We turned around because of the snakes. 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. Im assuming forest service will clear this soon. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. Streamersfrequently overlooked for fishing such narrow waterwaysare especially effective in high or stained water during and after a heavy rain, when large trout attack baitfish patterns from many excellent holding lies. hard to enjoy the meadow that way. Supplied by water running off the San Juan Mountains, Elk Creek has two primary seasons when fly fishers can effectively pursue the trout, hatches, and alpine scenery. Don't be like me and follow Google Maps only. A friend and I attempted this horseshoe hike in reverse last weekend (Aug 14). A short continuation will lead to the Elk Falls Trail, which will lead you on a steep descent to North Elk Creek. on official, secure websites. Master fly tier Charlie Craven ties Matt WInkler's Balanced Leather Leech. The mountain scenery is spectacular the whole way, and you cross over several high passes along the way. Our total distance was about 42 miles. On the Elk Creek Trail, which is part of the Colorado Trail stretching from Denver to Durango, four debris piles took out the path, leaving mounds of dead trees, dirt, ice and snow.. You then pass over the continental divide twice and the train picks you back up. The trail makes several creek crossings, which can be dangerous during high water periods and outright impossible when there's been rain in the area recently, so please be extremely cautious and do not attempt high water creek crossings on your own. Lots of wildflowers. This trail is considered most difficult. Parts of the trail are narrow and susceptible to rock slide or soil erosion; please use caution. ) or https:// means you've safely If you are backpacking for the day and want a fish fry, these nonnative trout offer excellent eating. Colorado Free Camping Antonito Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Elk Creek Trail Dispersed Camping Rio Grande National Forest. Official websites use .gov A .gov United States. 4/8/20 trail was in great shape! Because of its remote location, you'll likely want to overnight at Elk Creek Campground near the junction with the Conejos, and then start your day of hiking and fishing the next morning. Gorgeous! 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. Pennsylvania smallmouth and trout guide Jake Villwock shows you how to tie one of his signature flies, The Roamer. Excellent trip, lots of varied terrain, meadows, forests, small mountain ponds and lakes, avalanche tree slides, large and small rock slides, multiple high passes with great views. Elk Creek provides excellent opportunities for trout fishing along its entire length. The trail is well traveled by fishermen, hikers and horse packers and is easy to follow. It also gets steeper after this point. Share sensitive information only Good fishing. might be hard in bad weather, Great day great temperatures. However I'm looking forward to making another trip here soon. United States. I plan to come back and try for Dipping Lakes, 13 miles from the trail head. There are 31 campsites (6 are pull-through) with tables and fireplaces, 3 vault type toilets, drinking water (3 hand pumps) and refuse receptacles for your convenience. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. I just completed this route the July 11-15, 2022. Remember to filter water and practice low-impact camping and follow all Wilderness restrictions. Ran I to some bad weather that chased us out on the 2nd day but we saw a few moose on this trail. Join Rodrigo Salles and Ross Purnell in their quest to catch these magnificent jungle fish, and become the first outsiders to participate in this ancient ritual. Because of this we consider it to be a hard trail but the views were worth every single second. connected to the .gov website. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 35 min to complete. Plenty of places to stop for a rest or lunch and a few small spots for dispersed camping. National Forest This allows you to drift the nymph at the trout-holding depth, while making it appear as natural as possible. The campground has 34 nonreservable sites available for $16 per night. Views from the top are stunning. It's best to present the fly from downstream, allowing you to remain undetected. Most people are accustomed to fishing streamers in big rivers, and don't think of using them in smaller streams. This is especially important when your position on the creek's edge is angled far away up- or downstream. Very steep and pretty scrabbly first 1/2 Mille, nice views after. Property Records Search. Lots of great waterfalls and views along the way. Nice trail. 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