Quick Tips
- Bears can cause problems
- Expect rapid weather changes
- Good trout fishing in rivers, creeks and many lakes
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Elk | N/A | 280"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-75" | 75"+ |
On The Ground
The large unit is comprised of an even mixture of public and private lands. During the earlier seasons, hunters will find good opportunities in the higher elevations. As snow arrives for the later season and the game is pushed into lower elevations hunters will begin having some access issues as many of these areas are private lands.
The state sells an unlimited number of elk tags for late October and early November rifle seasons so hunting pressure is intense then, especially near roads. There is mostly private land in the north half of this unit and remote wilderness to the souteast. Expect heavy ATV traffic on the west portion of the unit.
Terrain
Topography varies from mostly private river bottoms and mild foothills in the north to forested canyons and flattened ridges in the White River and Routt national forests to moderately steep mountains that reach slightly above timberline. Many meadows are scattered throughout the mountains and foothills. Private ranches between Hamilton and Pagoda are along a broad river bottom and slowly rising foothills with many benches and gulches. Part of Axial Basin with many gulches and dry washes draining steep ridges is in the west. Roughly 20,000 acres of the Flat Tops Wilderness, which is flat enough to support many small lakes, are in the southeast corner.
Roughly 675 square miles
52.8% public land
Elevations from 6,239-12,000 feet
Vegetation
Cottonwoods and willows are prominent along rivers and creek bottoms. The northwest corner containing the eastern portion of Axial Basin consists of hay meadows, sagebrush, bitterbrush, oak brush, pinyon pines and junipers. Above 8,000 feet grow bunchgrass, needle grass and wheatgrass along with oak brush, mahogany, aspen groves and forests of lodgepole pines, spruces and firs. Open parks and meadows complete the landscape. In high basins are strands of spruce trees, grasses and wildflowers, such as columbine, Indian paintbrush and lupine.
Access
Most of the northern half is private and BLM and state parcels that are mostly surrounded by deeded ground. There is good access to 2,039-acre Indian Run and 5,955-acre Jensen state wildlife areas and three parcels of state trust land: Morapos Creek, which is 640 acres, Monument Butte which is 653 acres and Iles Grove which is 2,079 acres. Rio Blanco and Routt county roads provide good access to BLM land, Flat Tops Wilderness trailheads and many roads in the Routt and White River national forests. Roads above 8,000 can become impassable by late October.
No vehicles allowed in Monument Butte or Flat Tops Wilderness
Four-wheel-drive vehicles with tire chains are recommended on primitive roads
ATVs are recommended
Camping and Lodging
Vaughn Lake Campground near Forest Service Road 16 is open from early June through October if weather allows. Hunters can camp almost anywhere on federal land and in designated parts of Indian and Jensen State Wildlife Areas. Hunters wanting modern lodging options will be forced to travel outside of the unit with the closest options being found in Craig on the north side of the unit.
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