Mount Evans Bighorn Sheep

[cycloneshooter]

I have been told there are populations of bighorn sheep and mountain goats on Mt Evans west of Denver. I will be traveling to the area the 3rd week of June, and was hoping to maybe see some sheep during my trip to Colorado.

Anybody been to Mt Evans that can talk about where to find the sheep? Whats the road like to get to the top? I know they talk about it being the highest road in the USA, but then why do people always go to Pikes Peak instead?

Not afraid to do some hiking and or work with a spotting scope if somebody has any other good recommendations for finding sheep in the area. Have also spent time in the past out by Georgetown and Empire spotting for sheep without success.

Any tips for sheep viewing in June would be helpful. Thanks.

 

[trkytrack2]

Just drive the road to the top....the sheep and goats are all over the road most of the time. You can see them most everywhere. In June you'll most likely only see the females and babies. The rams don't hang out with them at that time of the year. Same with the goats. Most people are visiting tourists or weekend look-ee-loos. The high country in June is breath taking. Enjoy.

 

[shootist]

We saw goats in July 1 mile from the top. They we within 40 yards of the road and provided excellent photo ops.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

Most of the mountain goat units around there, do not allow weekend goat hunting. The reason they don't allow weekend hunting for mountain goats in those units, is because the goats are so dang close to the road, and they don't want the hunters out when most of the weekenders are up there for the weekend.

I drew a goat tag back in the early 1990s in Unit G-7. Unit G-7 was right across the road from G-4 which is the Mount Evans goat unit. I was in my 20's and hired an outfitter since I had no idea what I was getting into or how to size up a goat. That turned out to be a bad choice. The guide I was paired up with had never hunted goats. We camped and he took me on a VERY long horseback ride on my one day goat hunt. We saw a large band of goats and he told me to take the one on the top of a big rocky peak. He said "It's the King of the Mountain", which turned out to be a 2 year old. The next day I learned that I could have parked off the side of the road, hiked half a mile down the ridgeback and shot a good goat. I met a guy at Fish and Game checking his mature goat in who had done just that. Live and learn.

I have enough points again that my draw odds are getting pretty good again. Next time I'll do it on my own.

I don't recall seeing sheep, but again we hunted only one day. It was nearly 20 years ago, but if my poor memory serves me correctly, the road to the top was paved. I'm not certain though.

 

[BKC]

As UH says, it is paved all the way to the top and it is really not a hunt that you may be happy with. If it was me, I would look somewhere else if you are looking for your classic goat hunt.

 

[BKC]

As UH says, it is paved all the way to the top and it is really not a hunt that you may be happy with. If it was me, I would look somewhere else if you are looking for your classic goat hunt.

Oops, this is about sheep, not goats. But it goes the same for sheep !

 

[Granby guy]

If you want to see sheep then you could drive about 12 miles further west on I-70 to Georgetown. Right by the lake they have coin operated telescopes that you can use to watch all the sheep.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

If you want to see sheep then you could drive about 12 miles further west on I-70 to Georgetown. Right by the lake they have coin operated telescopes that you can use to watch all the sheep.

There ya go, great recommendation.

 

[cycloneshooter]

I have been to the Georgetown look out spot along I-70 at least 3 times and have never seen a sheep there. I know there is a big herd there, but maybe my luck just stinks. Different times of the year too. Have even driven the road along the back side of the mountain near Empire without any luck.

Latest tip I have heard to is to try west of Georgetown along I-70 before you get to the tunnel.
Anybody know how the sheep viewing is west of G'town?

 

[trkytrack2]

I have been to the Georgetown look out spot along I-70 at least 3 times and have never seen a sheep there. I know there is a big herd there, but maybe my luck just stinks. Different times of the year too. Have even driven the road along the back side of the mountain near Empire without any luck.

Latest tip I have heard to is to try west of Georgetown along I-70 before you get to the tunnel.
Anybody know how the sheep viewing is west of G'town?

Sheep are sometimes hard to find at certain times of the year depending on conditions. The rams will come down from the higher country in the fall during the rut to mingle with the ewes. Finding sheep west of Georgetown is pretty tough because there is quite a bit of heavy forest. It can be done but it's not a one shot deal.

 

[Colorado T]

UH, I also hunted G7 in the early 90's and it was DIY. I also am nearing enough points to draw again and would recommend the DIY. I have hunted the unit three additional times with family members and we all killed nice goats, the last being near book by my dad.
As far as sheep go, I killed a ram on the South Side of I-70 between Georgetown and Guanella Pass. If you drive that road, pull off and glass to the South. It's mixed timber but you can generally pick out some sheep. My Dad killed a nice full curl ram between Empire and Berthoud Pass. Again, a lot of timber but you can glass and pick them out in the rocky outcroppings. Just my experience, hope it helps.

 

[wapiti66]

Ive seen sheep numerous times from I-70 in people's backyards in Georgetown, north of the interstate. Most of those sightings were in the winter months though.

 

[Granby guy]

I have been to the Georgetown look out spot along I-70 at least 3 times and have never seen a sheep there. I know there is a big herd there, but maybe my luck just stinks. Different times of the year too. Have even driven the road along the back side of the mountain near Empire without any luck.

Latest tip I have heard to is to try west of Georgetown along I-70 before you get to the tunnel.
Anybody know how the sheep viewing is west of G'town?

You must have terrible luck because I was through there yesterday and saw about 30 of them standing right next to the road and there were quite a few rams. If you go west of Georgetown then it will be really tough to spot a sheep without having to hike in a ways.

 

[graybird]

If you want to see goats, go to Quandary Peak and to the parking lot at Blue Lakes. You'll see plenty!