We camped at 9,500 feet above sea level. the Elk seemed to be at 10,000 feet or above.  Here is what it looks like at 11,000 feet.

we were able to use our cell phones up here to check in back home with all the flooding associated with the hurricane.  Both our properties had minimal damage. We were fortunate as there were some people who lost everything and many people now a week later who cannot yet go home. Thanks for your concern Izzy!        

   

   

   

   

Looking good Charlie!  Great pics so far, and very much looking forward to the rest!

Charlie I am leaving Wednesday at 7 AM from NJ to go to Mt Zirkel Wilderness Area in Routt National Forest. We will be getting back September 26. Where did you go in Colorado. It looks like there is a pine beetle kill here too.  

Thanks
Gil

Awesome stuff Charlie. Thanks for shariing it all with us. Very cool!

Man is that some great looking country or what!!!

Great pictures!!

 

You finally pushed me to identify this plant, which I photographed in 2009.
It is False Hellebore, very toxic. These were growing in large patches around a seep in the West Virginia mountains near where I hunt.



Now, pray, continue with your wonderful journey.
Killdeer  

Great pics Charlie!  I'll be following along to see how this turns out.  But one thing's for sure - you are now elk hunters!  It doesn't get any better than spending time in the Rockies in the fall  

Charlie  

     

Glad to hear your house made it through Irene OK....we were concerned since you were gone.

Patiently waiting to read about the rest of this adventure..............

Now my 2 cents......Day one Charlie and decide to split up and look for sign of Elk and then regroup at lunch to compare notes. He went west ,I went north. As I climbed to reach the spot I saw on the map I was amazed at wild flowers the were all around me and also the trees that are dead from the bettle kill.....just amazing. I stopped to look around for a bit and I caught movement to my right ,downhill. Up the mountain comes a Mule deer and her fawn, they passed at 30 yards and never knew I was there....kind'a neat!

After I saw the deer I went up the rest of the way to about 10,000 feet. I stood , looking around and then I heard it.........an Elk mew. COOL!!! I regrouped and gave her a call, a lost calf or at least that's what the call says....lol! I got an answer but it was moving away  and I never heard it again. I moved up just a bit and found a wallow with water in it, not many held water , just very dry! I sent up by the wallow thinking critters need water. I sat for 2 hours and then decided to have some trail mix and a granola bar. I took a drink and then I heard it.........another elk mew. I listened and heard it again. I called.....it answerd. I waited and called again and it answered.....only closer. HOLY COW!!!!! I call, it answers even closer. I move to one knee behind a small spruce, put some tension on the string and wait. This is just like turkey hunting. I call one more time with the call stuck in my armpit to mute it.....I see movement and hear a twig snap. Now I'm on full hunter mode and ready to pick a spot, draw and shoot.

I put a bit more tension on the string and then it happens........two guys in camo step out into the clearing. The first guy was calling with a diaphram and the other was following. Both had compounds and they moved even closer. At 25 yards the lead guy looked at me but didn't see me. Then I waved to him. Talk about surprised.......They got a disgusted look on their face a took right off. I had just called in my first two Elk hunters. What a mourning........  

Great stuff guys, keep it coming!  BTDT on calling other hunters in as well!

Sounds like a good time already  

Great story...keep it coming.  What unit were you hunting?

Gil,  We were on the south side of Mt. Zirkel about 8 miles in the Buffalo Pass area.  

Thanks for clearing that plant up Killie. They were very neat.

Everyone else, thanks for the Kind comments.

Keith, we were in unit 16.

There was a lot of wildlife on the mountain.

There was a big Jay type bird and pine squirrels, Darned if they wouldnt sit still enough for a picture.

There were chipmunks and HUGE chipmunks