I'm not much of a story writer, so I'll let the pics tell most of it. My Dad joined me for the trip. He loves to cook, and camping with me was a bonus. He also gets credit for the pics. We left for Grand Junction Wed afternoon (10-15) and arrived early Thurs morning. Picked up some supplies and headed up into the hills. Here's part of the switchback road.
Here's the view halfway up across to another unit.
This probably gained us 2000'. The obligatory "top" photo.
Found a nice spot with some morning sun, and we had plenty.
Here's a couple that show what most of the terrain looks like where I hunted.
This was the maiden voyage for the new tent, 15x18. Worked like a charm.
Taking a mid-week late afternnon off to enjoy the cold by the fire while Dad was starting his dutch oven.
Yes, no bull. But it was a great trip and the first one with the old man. He had a great time and hopes he can make another.
The weather was not much help on this trip. It was clear with a bright moon almost every night, and warm during the day. Very very dry conditions with just one afternoon of some rain. Most of the Aspen leaves were down which made still hunting very noisy.
I did have a few highlights. Scouted my usual bull ravine which has always held bulls and saw a nice 6 point feed until 8:30. Alas, he wasn't in there the next day.
Monday afternoon I hunted a small Aspen bowl, came back over the top towards the road and jumped a nice 4 point buck, no tag. Continued down towards the road in some semi-open ground, and heard a strange sound ahead of me. Pulled up the binocs, and OMG, there's a small 5 point raking an Aspen at 60 yards.
Of course his whole body is covered by more Aspens. I didn't dare move as I could clearly see his head and was hoping he would take just one big step forward. As I waited, the road was obviously just 150-200 yards away as the ATV's and trucks were easily heard. Of course I thought sweet, this could be an easy pack out.
But he turned the other way, anything I might do to get into a better spot would bust me. I tried a soft cow call, he didn't move. So it was do or die and I tried to get into a better sight plain, and got busted.
I saw another bull 2 days later on a ridge 2 miles away with no chance to get there. One other morning, back at my usual "bull ridge", sure enough here comes some cows with a bull. I'm a mile away and go gang busters through the brush to try and cut them off. After 20 minutes I'm right where I want to be, only no elk. Hmmmm, after waiting 10 minutes, no wonder. Here comes 2 guys down the ravine. Maybe they couldn't tell the wind was at their back. Ugh.
Other than that I saw 3 bears, and stepped on numerous fresh cougar tracks. Next year..........
Pics from my Colorado trip
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