Scouting Trip Reports
- Thread starter mtnmutt
- Start date
iccyman001
New member
- Apr 30, 2014
- 5,489
\"vthokee\" said:
Im excited to see what we get on the new cameras.
Im also PUMPED to see the extra growth :upthumb:
iccyman001
New member
- Apr 30, 2014
- 5,489
\"cnelk\" said:
Brad,
We are still trying to put those pieces together. That camera is located directly between two ridges.
It\'s at a giant intersection where a piece of a fence has been broken down.
I think I mentioned it before, but most of the pictures were between 12-6pm.
Except for a few random ones like those two bigger bulls at 5am.
We kept that camera there and just move two others within a .5 mile radius to see where they are going to and coming from.
Just trying to make all of the puzzle pieces fit
Im also interested if this will keep up as the weather gets warmer.
Location: CO Central Mountains, West of the Continental Divide. 10,000 to 10,700 ft.
Dates: mid-June, Thursday night through Saturday night.
Primary Mission: Hang 4 trail cameras at mostly predetermined locations which won\'t get much elk activity until late July & August. New this year, I have my deer tag for the same unit. Therefore, mulie pictures are also on the agenda.
Roads: 285 closed near Fairplay due to flooding. Back County paved roads had recent temporary closures. The barriers were pushed to the side when I went through. Forest Service Road dry and no downed trees. I purposely stayed away from Forest Service roads known for fallen trees.
Vegetation quality: Lush, green. Antler growth should be excellent this year.
Snow: small patches of snow for drive in at 10,700ft were melted 1 day later. Above 11.5K, lots of snow. This year is worse than 2008 when I backpacked into Wilderness at 11K for 4th of July and encountered large snow mounds and non mapped creeks roaring down the mountains. Unless there is a long stretch of warm weather, there will be snow that lasts into September above treeline on the North sides. For July, expect to encounter snow for treks above 11K.
Creeks: One of my September creek crossings is now 18 inches deep with fast flowing water. In September, this creek crossing is 4-5 inches deep and calm water. The makeshift crossing log is 100% submerged. The current was extremely fast and almost claimed a trekking pole. From now until mid-July, be prepared for high fast water that is normally tame in September.
Water Diversion: The state has diverted some water away from the Arkansas River to other river basins because of the flooding that happened in SE CO. I saw evidence of this on my drive in when high water was flowing in a usually mostly dry ditch.
On day 1, I wasted way too much time stopping to watch the Brookies in beaver ponds. My excuse was that I needed to watch out for moose.
It was a gorgeous weather and no one was there camping. I was surprised.
Scouting trips help work out some kinks before showtime in September. I forgot more things than I ever have for a camping trip. This year, I am in a new home. I have not established my routine for staging & organizing my gear for my trips. No new gear was tested since my only new gear are new trekking poles which I will test on a local hike. For this trip, I used my old heavy duty trekking poles.
Mosquitoes: If your Thermacell\'s butane runs out, all mosquitoes will announce to all their friends that there is a free unlimited buffet over by the tree where some dumb mammal is hanging a weird looking thingie. This happened on Day 1. I will never again forget the extra butane. 20 bites and counting.
Hanging trail cameras are a PIA when...
Dates: mid-June, Thursday night through Saturday night.
Primary Mission: Hang 4 trail cameras at mostly predetermined locations which won\'t get much elk activity until late July & August. New this year, I have my deer tag for the same unit. Therefore, mulie pictures are also on the agenda.
Roads: 285 closed near Fairplay due to flooding. Back County paved roads had recent temporary closures. The barriers were pushed to the side when I went through. Forest Service Road dry and no downed trees. I purposely stayed away from Forest Service roads known for fallen trees.
Vegetation quality: Lush, green. Antler growth should be excellent this year.
Snow: small patches of snow for drive in at 10,700ft were melted 1 day later. Above 11.5K, lots of snow. This year is worse than 2008 when I backpacked into Wilderness at 11K for 4th of July and encountered large snow mounds and non mapped creeks roaring down the mountains. Unless there is a long stretch of warm weather, there will be snow that lasts into September above treeline on the North sides. For July, expect to encounter snow for treks above 11K.
Creeks: One of my September creek crossings is now 18 inches deep with fast flowing water. In September, this creek crossing is 4-5 inches deep and calm water. The makeshift crossing log is 100% submerged. The current was extremely fast and almost claimed a trekking pole. From now until mid-July, be prepared for high fast water that is normally tame in September.
Water Diversion: The state has diverted some water away from the Arkansas River to other river basins because of the flooding that happened in SE CO. I saw evidence of this on my drive in when high water was flowing in a usually mostly dry ditch.
On day 1, I wasted way too much time stopping to watch the Brookies in beaver ponds. My excuse was that I needed to watch out for moose.
It was a gorgeous weather and no one was there camping. I was surprised.
Scouting trips help work out some kinks before showtime in September. I forgot more things than I ever have for a camping trip. This year, I am in a new home. I have not established my routine for staging & organizing my gear for my trips. No new gear was tested since my only new gear are new trekking poles which I will test on a local hike. For this trip, I used my old heavy duty trekking poles.
Mosquitoes: If your Thermacell\'s butane runs out, all mosquitoes will announce to all their friends that there is a free unlimited buffet over by the tree where some dumb mammal is hanging a weird looking thingie. This happened on Day 1. I will never again forget the extra butane. 20 bites and counting.
Hanging trail cameras are a PIA when...
- There is no suitable tree for pointing it northward away from the sun.[/*:m:1b2nt7k4]
- No one bothered to plant a tree where you wish to hang a trail camera.[/*:m:1b2nt7k4]
- You have to become an arborist to trim lots of branches that will trigger the camera.[/*:m:1b2nt7k4]
- You leave your work gloves and small pruners in the car and only have the larger hooyman saw.[/*:m:1b2nt7k4]
- Your Thermacell butane runs out and you are swarmed by mosquitoes.[/*:m:1b2nt7k4][/list:u:1b2nt7k4]
Went scouting yesterday with Aaron Johnson.
N Central Colroado
Elevation 9k - 10k
A gorgeous day to be out and about
Went into a fairly new area and made a couple of laps, slicing and dicing.
Found some great spots that Im sure will produce
Got waypoints and found some great rubs
Set a trail cam on a small meadow with a seep that was a wallow
Aaron saw his first moose too!
N Central Colroado
Elevation 9k - 10k
A gorgeous day to be out and about
Went into a fairly new area and made a couple of laps, slicing and dicing.
Found some great spots that Im sure will produce
Got waypoints and found some great rubs
Set a trail cam on a small meadow with a seep that was a wallow
Aaron saw his first moose too!
iccyman001
New member
- Apr 30, 2014
- 5,489
Awesome stuff Mtnmutt and Brad :upthumb:
so, I have a dilemma. my second trip to the bighorns coincides with my scheduled 5th annual triathlon, which is bought and paid for... we have looked at other possible trips, but nothing seems worth it, time wise... I really want to go back to the mountains!!!! I threatened to go back without her a little earlier, that didn\'t go well...
Gary, You already had a great trip with the boys. If you don\'t make it in August you only have 4 weeks and you will be in the mountains. You can do something special as a day trip with the wife and run the triathlon too. You need to be in the best shape you can so you can pack my bull out for me. :haha: :haha: :haha:
cohunter14
Administrator
- Jul 10, 2017
- 5,431
I say go to the mountains and do a little running each morning at that altitude! Two birds with one stone :upthumb:
the wife actually wants me to skip the tri and go to the mtns! I feel like I am cheating, by not doing the tri....this would end a 5 year stretch. but those mtns are hard to beat and I would be getting altitude training! I spent 45 minutes in the pool with the boys doing laps after work tonight :angle:
terry, I am looking forward to packing out your elk! I have been waiting for 4 years now to feel whats its like! and don\'t worry, I have stepped up my training more from even last year. I am ready right now!
and I would be getting altitude training! I spent 45 minutes in the pool with the boys doing laps after work tonight :angle:terry, I am looking forward to packing out your elk! I have been waiting for 4 years now to feel whats its like! and don\'t worry, I have stepped up my training more from even last year. I am ready right now!
