Scouting Trip July'04

Virtual Scouting Trip

July 2004

Location: Troublesome Basin, Colorado

It’s official. I can’t wait any longer to start scouting. And I am sure glad I went up last weekend. I can’t speak for all of the State but North Central Colorado has been getting plenty of sun followed by nice rains. The result is lush, green areas with plenty of water.

The Troublesome area is 88,000 acres of road-less elk country. Located around 13 miles Northwest of Granby, Colorado. If you go there are many access points along he West side of Highway 125. Bring your horses or mules and park in the Buffalo Creek access area. Also know as King Ranch. There is plenty of parking and numerous trails you can take from there. According to the Colorado Department of Wildlife the basin holds over 3300 elk. The bull to cow ratio is 25 bulls for every 100 cows. Not too shabby. I hear reports ranging from “oh my God that’s the biggest bull I’ve ever seen” to photos of big (and I mean thick) 5x5 bulls in the area. When looking for elk I always see more deer. I’m certain there are 2 deer for every elk in the area. The elevation in the area ranges from 8,000 to 12,000. Most of it is around 9,000. The elk can be anywhere West of the highway all the way to Kremmling, Colorado. In other words the elk are spread thin through there. That’s the bad news. That’s why I recommend bringing a horse. You’ll want to cover a lot of land to find the elk. And a horse is much more capable to keep up with an elk than we are. When the elk spook in this area they can cover a lot of ground quickly. An elk herd can blazed a trail that is easy to follow until they stop. Then it seems they just disappear.

Enough with the stats. Here are some photos. This could be anywhere in the Troublesome because it all looks the same. Bring a map, GPS and compass so you don’t get lost. It’s easy to do.

There are more lush green valleys in the Troublesome than you can imagine. And they all look the same. Small creek, beaver ponds, lots of green grass, surrounded by, rolling ridges. Not every valley has a creek. The ones that do have the most activity in and around them. Some valleys are only seasonal. When the spring snows melt the small creeks dry up.

From what I have noticed in the Troublesome is the elk move in a general North and South direction during bad weather. South when the weather gets really wet or snowy. North when it gets warmer. Otherwise they keep with a routine in and around their favorite creek valley. When they want to get away from it all they have their hiding spots where no one will find them. Security by obscurity is what I call it. The land helps keep them secure because every valley looks the same and there are so many creek valleys that you can’t be in them all at the same time. One might find a really nice meadow to sit in and wait. I’m also convinced the elk stay out of the open areas during the fall season. If they do graze in the open it’s well after dark. Your best bet is to still-hunt the deep woods to find a big bull elk.

Why is it the deer have no problem walking on the hiking trails but the elk go out of their way to avoid them? Though if you get off the trail you will most always find a game trail paralleling the hiking trail. You also rarely see an elk print crossing the hiking trail. Not to say they don’t cross hiking trails, they do. It’s just they are very sneaky about it.

Not all woods are the same. Some are sparsely populated and others are thick and dark. Funny thing about the Troublesome is the woods are pretty clean. Not a lot of deadfall to get in your way. Not sure why this is. Maybe logging? Maybe a fire cleaned it out? There are some sections, however, that are thick, dark and full of downed trees. This photo shows such an area. I like areas like this. Though you can’t see all the deadfall in this photo this section of woods is very nice. It’s where the elk travel to get to the lush meadow beyond. It can also be a nice bedding area for elk. Walking in the Troublesome is pretty easy. You could say the same about walking the New York City marathon too. It’s relatively flat and easy; you just have to walk a long ways to get anywhere. The Troublesome is up for nomination to become a designated wilderness area. Currently, only foot travel is allowed. Horses are welcome but keep the ATV or mountain bike at home. If you must bring your ATV then check out the Stillwater Pass area East of Highway 125. You’ll find plenty of jeep trails over there. And by the way – no elk.

The area couldn’t be any greener. The little creeks contribute to the larger creeks that all flow into the great Colorado River just South of the Troublesome. As long as we continue to get this wonderful monsoonal weather pattern the area will remain green through September. However, when Indian summer arrives expect the land to dry up quickly. Mild, dry weather can change these lush meadows into dry, dusty areas fast.

Here is a view of a huge meadow. No matter where you stand near the base of Parkview Mountain it appears to loom over you. I doubt I would sit on this meadow and wait for elk to show up. Mostly because I can’t stand to sit still very long. But also because the elk love the cover of the trees. They seem to work the ridges a lot during daylight. Then come down to graze in during the night. You might see elk in the meadows early but don’t expect them to stay out in the open long.

Where would I be if I had a full week and could only stay in one area of the Troublesome. That’s not an easy question. But I’d say Timber Creek. I can’t think of a better place for elk. It has springs, creeks, aspens, pine and an elevation around 9200 feet. Open meadows and remote! My next choices would be anywhere in the Haystack Creek valley or upper East Fork of Troublesome Creek. Everyone has public access to these areas. But if you want to see them bring your horse or a really good pair of walking shoes.

Would I choose this area to find elk? Yes and no. Yes, if I had a horse and a LOT of vacation time. No, because I don’t have a horse and even less vacation time. You’d best spend your time in a high alpine basin from late June through most of October looking for elk in Colorado. It was a real treat to hike the Troublesome. Even though it’s July the area was still in its peak. Green, lush, with wonderful colors of purple, white, yellow and red flowers. Bring your bug spray as the bugs were all out enjoying the area too. I hope you liked the virtual scouting trip. Check out the elk info area for more trips.