Flat Tops Wilderness, White River National Forest, Public land

[Doc Hicks Nathan]

Good afternoon fellow outdoorsman, my name is Nathan and I just separated from the Navy a year and a half ago. I was a Corpsman stationed with 3rd BN 3rd Marines and deployed to Afghanistan, as well as many other places all over the world. I now have a one year old son and am currently attending Colorado State University for a degree in Fish Wildlife & Conservation Biology. With this degree I would soon like to become a District Wildlife Manager for the state of Colorado.

I would like to take my dad on an elk hunter trip to a place in the back country with as little pressure from people as possible. He is from Tennessee and is completely responsible for my obsession with the outdoor and hunting. He as never been elk hunting and neither of use are looking to pass on a legal bull in order for a bigger one. It would be greatly appreciated if we could get some advice as to where we could backpack in 3 to 4 miles and have some areas that we could glass from, drop camp, and spend all of this years 1st rifle season.

Respectfully and with kind regards,

Nathan

 

[Slugz]

Doc,
Thanks for your service. Recommend you take a cut and paste of the above and throw it in the new members section also.

WRT the question. Lots of animals, lots of hunters, lots of pressure = exactly what you said.....the hunting doesn't start up there until you are 3 miles in due to pressure already put on the animals from archery and muzzleloader. I think to make it a safe trip an evaluation of the physical condition of your Dad is in order. It takes a solid amount of humping at altitudes over 8k.

Look up the CDOW web page hunting atlas to get an idea of the area and where to go. Use the overlays. It builds a good picture. Did you already have a rough idea where you want to go in at?

Welcome to EF. Lots of great people and info here.

 

[gypsumreaper]

Thanks for your service,
Are you stuck to the flat tops area? Have you acquired tags for the 1st season yet? There are a lot of different GMU's on the flat tops so if you have tags up there what GMU and I can possibly help you out some more in areas to try. But as stated above the flat tops are a huge area that are very heavily hunted.


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[Doc Hicks Nathan]

gypsumreaper, I do have a tag for 3rd rifle deer in unit 4, but didn't have the points for an elk draw. I instead got an OTC Bull elk tag for first 1st rifle in units: 011,012,013,023,024,025,026,033,034,131,211,231 so there is a bit to pick from.

Slugz, I will post my original thread to the new members section asap. I have been looking to take the Marvine Lake trail to the Marvine Lakes and setting up camp there. From there I was looking at finding some high ground for glassing, possibly from Big Marvine Peak or Rat Mountain. the trail seems to be mostly fair goings compared to other trails till you make it a little past the second lake. From there my dad should be good to hike with just his day pack, he is in pretty good shape for 48 we are only 19 years apart, but high elevations when your not used to them can take a lot of the fun out of the trip. I'm not sure if this is the best way to go, We both just want to get out and enjoy ourselves and possibly see some animals, and hopefully fill our game bags.

 

[gypsumreaper]

Here's a unit 4 buck for you good luck on that tag.
And you do got a lot of area to choose from being 3rd season make sure you have your tire chains, shovels and that kind of stuff Incase the snow really flies or it gets terribly muddy. As for your other tag I'm thinking the snow is on its way, we hunted the last weekend of archery in 8" of snow. So be ready for anything the elk will be in a transition period from rut to winter grounds and may be moving around a bit more. I have hunted the east side of flat tops by sweetwater, coffee pot road and Indian camp personally never again as there were way to many people


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[MtnBuck]

I don't have a specific spot, but you've got the right idea. Pick a somewhat level major trail and go back in 2-3 miles. Then cut off on an un-mapped secondary trail for a half mile at least and make your camp. You don't want to end up near any of the major trails. The first time I went up there it took me a few days to find Elk so if you can arrive 3 days early and be prepared to cover a lot of ground. Glassing every morning and evening can really pay off come opening day. If there are a herd of hunters on your mountain move out quick, but don't get dejected. A lot of them will be gone by Monday.

 

[bruno]

I hunted the Flat Tops last year 2nd season. Hiked in 4 miles to set up camp and had hunters everywhere! There were 2 outfitted spike camps and 2 other DIY groups within a mile of our camp. We generally hiked an additional 2 miles in and still ran into hunters everyday. In my opinion if you want to have a quality experience with you dad put in for points for 2-3 years and go in muzzleloader season. Better weather, less hunters and hopefully bugling elk! I don't know what kind of shape your dad is in but I would also plan ahead and have someone with horses lines up to help pack out an elk if your lucky.

 

[MtnBuck]

Yep, the main trails especially have more traffic than downtown Denver.