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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Bob Palmer on December 06, 2015, 03:31:00 PM

Title: Elk Addiction
Post by: Bob Palmer on December 06, 2015, 03:31:00 PM
Went to Colorado this past season and vow now to never miss a year again! Already booked some access to a private ranch near Oak Creek, Colorado next September! Gonna spend 5 days on the ranch and 3 on BLM land near Meeker. Thinking of driving out so I can take all that I need..and probably a bunch that I won't  :)  Anyone else make that drive from the east coast? How painful was it?

The ranch has room for one more if anyone is interested...just PM me for details.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: kbetts on December 06, 2015, 05:57:00 PM
I'll talk to you more about it, but it was  roughly 30 hours to Silt.  Three of us did it straight through.  Next time I'd take the extra time to rest if I could.  

Kansas was a killer.  Never seen so many shades of brown.  Not much to look at except wide open country.

Still wouldn't trade the experience.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Keith Zimmerman on December 06, 2015, 08:27:00 PM
Driven it several times.  Past FT Riley KS is rough.  Best to drive it at night.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: BrushWolf on December 06, 2015, 08:41:00 PM
When I went out to Durango it took 27hours to get to where we hunted. On the way out we drove about 14hours then stopped over for the night. It took a day more to get there but I think it was worth it. I have to agree with kbetts Kansas was the longest part it seemed. Wasn't bad the first few hours hadn't ever seen it but after that wasn't sure we would get across it
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Rob W. on December 06, 2015, 10:56:00 PM
We drove 22 hours this year. Seemed like Kansas took 21 of that.    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: monterey on December 06, 2015, 11:56:00 PM
Miles and miles of miles and miles.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Arctic Hunter on December 07, 2015, 03:07:00 AM
26 hours (give or take) from here to meeker this year. Hated the drive, but loved the trip. Planning to go back next year myself.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: DWT on December 07, 2015, 05:40:00 AM
24 hrs from here, have driven it 19 times, the drive across nebraska is best in the dark. Im sure there is some nice country in nebraska but it aint along I-80.   :)
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: fnshtr on December 07, 2015, 06:47:00 AM
About 30 hours for me. I've driven it by myself once. Retired, so I usually take my time. Threw a mattress in my van and slept as needed.

Going out is no problem due to anticipation, but returning is a bummer due to exhaustion!

Worth it all.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Bob Palmer on December 07, 2015, 07:38:00 AM
Sounds like flying is the way to go  :)  My only concern is the beat up ranch roads require a 4 wheel drive rig (and not a SUV style) and I can't seem to get a hold of one at the local rental companies! Hard to believe...its snow country!!!
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 07, 2015, 08:17:00 AM
Same advise as others. It was 22 hour drive for us straight through and we are a lot closer than you are. You better have a couple other drivers. At that distance I would recommend flying or at the least make a two day trip of the drive.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: ChuckC on December 07, 2015, 09:00:00 AM
I don't drive quite as far, but it is still most of an entire day to get to the spot I end up.  I hate the drive, but I love being there.  I just wish fewer folks knew of my little patch of mountains.
ChuckC
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Flatshooter on December 07, 2015, 10:21:00 AM
I've done it several times and vowed never again! This past September my son and I flew to Denver then rented a car and drive to a ranch in New Castle. What a pleasure!!!
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: kbetts on December 07, 2015, 11:56:00 AM
You wouldn't have made it up the mountain in an SUV where we were either....needed a real 4x4 with clearance.

One in our group flew out.  His rental was a Chevy Spark....not even a full Volt, lol.  He could sit in the drivers seat and adjust the passenger mirror.  We left it in a hotel parking lot for the week and laughed more than once about trying to get it up the hill.  Ah, good times.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Bob Palmer on December 07, 2015, 03:44:00 PM
We flew this year and it was awesome. Guide picked us up in Hayden and saved us the car rental deal. Wish I could afford that luxery to go with my addiction  :)
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: LongbowArchitect on December 07, 2015, 04:05:00 PM
I think I'm going to quit complaining about my 3 hour drive after reading your posts.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: OBXarcher on December 07, 2015, 05:01:00 PM
Yep, drove from SC two years in a row now. 27 hours straight. It's a pain, especially the return trip. Really thinking about flying next year. I know I can get my gear out there, problem is bringing an animal back. Guess I'd just rent a car one way.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Bob Palmer on December 07, 2015, 06:28:00 PM
I shipped the meat and horns back this year for 2 elk...wasn't cheap but worth every penny! Elk meat is awesome!
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Chain2 on December 07, 2015, 07:23:00 PM
We try to make the trip part of the fun. We aren't as far as the east coast but we do have to go south 4+ hours before we go west. A week long elk hunt takes two weeks. We drive to Kearney or Sidney NE the long first day. We are in Pinedale,WY for supper the next. It's worth it. That's for sure.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: snag on December 08, 2015, 08:10:00 AM
Might talk with Enterprise about the possibility of reserving a 4x4 truck at the location. The rent a lot of trucks.
Title: Re: Elk Addiction
Post by: Jered Shofner on December 08, 2015, 08:54:00 AM
My notes from my first trip in 2008 were very clear;

"Never, never, never drive 24 hours straight through and go up to 10,000 ft elevation. The exhaustion and altitude ruined the first 3 days."

I live at 700 feet elevation. Taking a day to adjust at 5000 feet or so is a big help.

Planning in process for 2016 now.