Virtual Elk Hunt

Coney Creek Area

Unit 20

September 13-14, 2008

This place is NOT a secret spot by any means. In fact on any weekend all summer and most of the fall you will find more people up here than trees. And they bring their dogs, their guns and sometimes furniture. It’s a hot spot for any Jeep, ATV and hiker. If you want to see elk don’t go up here on the weekend. Go up during the middle of the week. Bring a fishing pole for Coney Creek and the upper lakes.

The road from the parking area near Beaver Reservoir is rocky to say the least. There are several water crossings along the road even during the driest years. Some of the rocks are hard to navigate if you don’t have a good 4WD.

At this point in the road you can park and hike the trail. It’s about 1.5 miles to this point. And about a 1.2 mile hike along the trail to the 4WD road again.

Beware of the private property. There are other signs further up the trail.

The walk along the trail is actually very pleasant. Even in the winter. Through some of the most perfect elk country and lush forests.

There are several lush meadows on your hike like this one. Yes, there are moose in the area too.

If you look closely there are tree scrapes not far from the road.

As you get closer to the end of the trail you will see the high mountains in the background. Mount Audobon and Sawtooth.

Sawtooth is visible from many locations along the front range. You can hike to it by taking the Buchanan pass trail. On the other side of the divide is also a very nice area to hunt elk.

Back on the 4WD road you can see how lush the area is. This is a very wet area. Perfect moose country and dark pines. Sawtooth rises in the background.

The high and long ridges to the south are part of Mount Audobon. If you have the energy that’s a great area to hike. There is a bit of a trail that takes you that way. But don’t stay on the trail if you want to see elk.

Every sign has bullet holes in them. If you plan to camp in the area you might want to wear something bullet proof or sleep in your tank. Despite all the traffic on foot and by vehicle the elk are very use to people. And they know exactly when and exactly where to avoid them. Weekends are busy up here.

The views are amazing. This is why we live in Colorado. Believe it or not it’s only about a 3 mile hike from here to the top of the pass. The last half mile of Buchanan Pass trail is STEEP!!! But the reward is the view from the top. It’s worth the climb.

A closer look.

A view to the north. You can see this is a huge area to hunt.

If you look closely you can see the line in the snow which is the Buchanan pass trail.

Shortly past the sign is the Indian Peaks Wilderness. One of the best wilderness areas to find elk close to the Denver metro area.

We found a small meadow with several elk beds in it. Had it been a weekday instead of the weekend we might have actually seen some elk. There are some very impressive, mature bulls in the area. You should consider this part of Unit 20 a trophy area.

The clouds rolled in as evening approached. This area is very green and lush. It’s some of the wettest habitat you will find on the east side of the continental divide.

I wouldn’t recommend this area because of all the human traffic. I like a good wilderness area where you can find mature bulls and get away from people. Only one of these things are possible in unit 20. You may find big bulls but you’ll find many more people than elk.