Quick Tips
- Trout fishing in streams and lakes
- Lots of hunters every season
- Winter weather can arrive in early October
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 260"-300" | 310"+ |
On The Ground
Part of this unit is in the White River National Forest, home to the nation’s largest elk herd, and includes a small portion of the 235,214-acre Flat Tops Wilderness. The Colorado River with its steep sandstone canyons forms the eastern boundary of this unit, which is more than 80% public land. Along with good elk numbers hunters will also find a decent density of mule deer and moose.
This popular unit has many bulls, but few of them get old enough to grow record book antlers because hunting pressure is intense. The state sells elk tags over-the-counter for second and third rifle seasons. Good deer hunting opportunities can be found here but hunters will need to work for opportunities at mature bucks.
Terrain
This area has a healthy distribution of terrain types but most of this unit will be physically challenging to hunt. Many of the higher elevations will feature barren and rocky slopes along with avalanche chutes. Many of the mid-elevation areas will be heavily timbered with perodic breaks making for exciting hunting conditions.
Roughly 238 square miles
83.1% public land
Elevations from 6,300-12,240 feet
Vegetation
Junipers/pinyon mixed with oak brush along the Colorado River with the land rising rapidly into Darby Mesa with sagebrush, pinyon pines, aspens, ponderosa pines and grasses. Near Crescent Lake and Stump Park are large groves of aspens, open parks and north slopes filled with lodgepole pines, Douglas firs, Engelmann spruce and subalpine firs at 9,500-11,500 feet.
Access
Forest Service Roads 613 and 610 near Burns and Derby Junction lead into the north, while Road 611 reaches Red Dirt Basin. Sweetwater Creek road leads to numerous trails into Flat Tops Wilderness.
Roads and trails are well marked
Road 613 crosses a creek at the bottom of a steep hill
Camping and Lodging
Forest service campgrounds Sweetwater and Coffee Pot are open from June through October. Both are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Sometimes the campgrounds are closed in early October because of winter weather. White River National Forest is open to camping. Closest towns south of the unit are Gypsum and Edwards along Interstate 70. They have motels, banks, hospitals, restaurants and gasoline stations.
River Dance RV campground west of Gypsum
Eagle County Airport east of Gypsum is served by major airlines
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