Quick Tips
- South Platte River for rainbows and browns
- Fairplay for historic mining history
- South Park has 14,000-foot mountain vistas
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 150"-170" | 170"+ |
| Elk | 290"-320" | 330"+ |
| Antelope | 60"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
The 119,790-acre Lost Creek Wilderness runs through this unit, providing a contrast between Denver, less than 50 miles to the northeast and pristine backcountry that supports many elk and mule deer. The 138,000-acre-wide Hayman Fire in 2002 burned much of the Pike National Forest that opened up thousands of acres.
Terrain
Several Mountain ranges make up the higher elevations of this unit, Tarryall, Kenosha and Platte River. They traverse tree-lined mountain parks, fascinating rounded granite domes, rare granite arches a number of creeks and long canyons.
Roughly 502 square miles
91.4% public land
Elevations from 6,880-12,335 feet
Vegetation
Sedges, forbs and willows grow in alpine tundra in the Tarryall and Kenosha mountains above 11,500 feet. Between 9,000 and 11,500 feet grow firs, spruces, aspens and pines. Below 9,000 feet are ponderosa pines, Douglas-firs, lodgepole pines, aspens, cottonwoods and willows. Shortgrass prairies below the mountains have various grasses and forbs, sagebrush and rabbitbrush.
Access
Within Pike National Forest is Lost Creek Wilderness, located approximately 60 miles southwest of Denver off of U.S. Highway 285 and County Road 57. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is generally prohibited on all federal lands designated as wilderness. Lost Creek Wilderness totals 119,790 acres. Elevations range from 8,000-12,400 feet above sea level. There are nearly 130 miles of trails. Wilderness permits are required. Self-issuing permits are available at trailheads free of charge.
State lands:
McArthur Gulch, 480 acres west of Baily on County Road 64, no hunting with centerfire rifles
Tarryall Reservoir, 711 acres on County Road 77
Various roads lead to the unit, U.S. Highway 285 southwest of Denver, County Road 77 between Jefferson and Lake George and U.S. 24 along the southern boundary. There is a good county and Forest Service road system connecting to Lost Creek Wilderness.
Many Forest service roads are not accessible by ATV
Wet weather may make secondary roads difficult to travel
The use of four-wheel-drive is recommended
Camping and Lodging
Pike National Forest has dispersed camping along forest service roads. There are a number of small towns that might provide gas and food, but hunters who want motels, cabins, restaurants and other services should head northeast to communities near Denver such as Conifer, or to the west to Fairplay, or even to Woodland Park in the southeast.
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