Another WET Colorado Elk Hunt Story

Burnsie · September 16, 2013, 10:36:00 PM

***An old post I was able to re-do with new pictures I transferred over to Imgur after the Photobucket fiasco. Good memories***

Well, based on the many other Colorado threads already posted, it appears my brother and I weren't the only ones to experience a wet and soggy Colorado Elk hunt. Despite the relentless rains and no animals taken, we still had a grand adventure and stayed safe in the high country of Colorado. Hope you enjoy the brief account and pictures of our 2013 hunt. My brother is still a wheelie guy – I don't hold it against him, but there are a lot of pics I won't be able to show of him to stay in line with Tradgang policy.

Before I get going with the trip details, I have to thank several Tradgangers for helping make our trip a success. A big Thank You to Mr. Gil Verwey. I have never met Gil or corresponded with him, but his informative thread on his back country Colorado trips really inspired this 50 year old to get out there and just do it. We used many of his tips and recommendations, and his encouraging message that "yes- you too can do it" was a big factor in keeping us focused on making the trip happen – Thanks Gil!
Also Thank You to the many other Tradgangers who offered helpful advice when I reached out with questions. Many recommended that I get trekking poles, those were a life saver on the hike in and out. We got several suggestions for rain gear, socks, base layers...etc. Tradgang is a super source of information, you just need to ask, pay attention to other threads, or do a search – that's why it's my favorite site and I spend so much time here.

We drove through some spectacular country.

This is where we would call home for the next week. The arrow points to approximately where our camp was, at about 10,100 ft. The top is 11,600. Pictures don't do justice to how massive and steep this terrain was.

Our last look back before we went in deep and the rain started.

Me leaning on the poles sucking air. I worked hard to get in cardio shape, but when you live at 600-700 ft, 10,000 is a killer.

One of many wallows:

This whole hill side was tore up with a wallow at the bottom. We saw two nice bulls at this site, but they never got close enough for a shot.

Trumpkin the Dwarf · September 16, 2013, 10:39:00 PM

That there is some gorgeous country! I hope you had fun, even if it did rain.

Burnsie · September 16, 2013, 10:41:00 PM

Much of the dark timber we hunted looked like this, full of deadfalls and very steep.

Our water source for the week. We found a little seep/spring coming out of the side of the mountain. We dug it out a little to direct it into a make-shift collection basin where the sediment would settle. The water was delicious and ice cold. Just 20 yds from the tent.

Couple pictures of camp.

This little MSR Pocket Rocket was the berries for boiling water for our meals – great system.

Burnsie · September 16, 2013, 10:43:00 PM

Then the rains came and life pretty much revolved around staying dry and trying to dry stuff out. We finally got to the point where we settled for whatever was the least wet. If anyone knows of a boot that will stay dry in persistent wet conditions please let me know.

We did get a few brief moments of sunshine.

Riding out the rain with a little Yahtzee and making dinner.

Up high in the talus fields.

Burnsie · September 16, 2013, 10:43:00 PM

Way up here and we find remnants/trash of years gone by. Looked it up, it was a popular Cola in the 60's and 70's on the west coast.

Looking Good!

Few random pics of the area we hunted.

We weren't alone in the woods – plenty of bear sign.

CoachBGriff · September 16, 2013, 10:44:00 PM

Awesome... this makes me want to get back to the mountains even just for a good hike.

Burnsie · September 16, 2013, 10:50:00 PM

Taking a well deserved break.

You have to take time and observe natures beauty.

Already planning for the next trip!

jwhitetail · September 16, 2013, 10:55:00 PM

Great pics and it looks like a great trip to the mountains... Funny, when I was a kid learning to deer hunt my dad would always buy each of us a Craigmont soda! I have happy memories of sitting on the hillside drinking a grape soda and eating lunch with dad on our deer hunts.

Thanks for taking me along on your hunt.
JW

VictoryHunter · September 16, 2013, 11:04:00 PM

Great photos!

LB_hntr · September 16, 2013, 11:41:00 PM

Wonderful photos and i like the way you shot all the detail pics.
Not every hunt ends in animals but the experiences last forever. looks to me like you had a great hunt!

Dirtybird · September 17, 2013, 12:00:00 AM

Beautiful pics. Thanks for sharing.

old_goat2 · September 17, 2013, 12:21:00 AM

Nice, no way to know to plan for that much rain! It caught everybody here by surprise. People went to sleep thinking it was just a normal rain storm to wake up with their town totally cut off from the rest of civilization, no way in or out. We are heading back out tomorrow for a week, weather is supposed to be a lot nicer than the season has had so far.

September 17, 2013, 12:56:00 AM

absolutely awesome! I love the mountains. I have been up there several times and not taken an elk yet. I sure hope I get to go again next year.

Bisch

Mike Gerardi · September 17, 2013, 04:46:00 AM

Great pics! Being wet for days reminds me of my military days. Hated it. Glad to see you guys didnt let it get you down.

Hopewell Tom · September 17, 2013, 05:43:00 AM

Sounds like fun regardless the weather and no-kill outcome.
Gotta love that.
Thanks for sharing.

Jayrod · September 17, 2013, 05:55:00 AM

thxs i enjoyed pics and sharing with us

riverrat 2 · September 17, 2013, 06:02:00 AM

Troy thanks for sharing those pics buddy. At least you guys got out there,saw some beautiful terrain,and some Elk were seen. You hunted. Congrats on the experience,rat'

Whip · September 17, 2013, 06:56:00 AM

Well done on following your dreams! The memories of this trip will be with you forever. Thanks for sharing. How about the elk? Any encounters to tell about?

adkmountainken · September 17, 2013, 07:13:00 AM

great pictures, sounds like your hunt mirrored mine, great time but very wet!

MnFn · September 17, 2013, 08:23:00 AM

Your photos quickly reminded me of our week hunting in CO. Kind of hard to put into words why spending a week or so in those types of conditions
is something I am willing to put myself through again.

You captured the reality of hunting this year in CO very well.

BTW, my feet were dry for six days of rainy hunting last week. My son's boots were wet after the first day. I wore Meindl Perfekt Hikers, treated very well before the hunt. There are probably other boots just as good, but I am unaware of them. This is my third elk hunting trip in my Meindl's and I have not been let down yet. They are not cheap, but worth every penny to me.

Thanks for sharing,
Gary