Quick Tips
- Be mobile and willing to move camp
- Carry a GPS and a good land ownership map
- A lot of tourists hike and climb in wilderness
- Know wilderness rules and test gear in advance
- Weather and temperature influence elevations of animals
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Mule Deer | 140"-160" | 170"+ |
| Whitetail Deer | 120"-140" | 140"+ |
| Elk | 240"-280" | 300"+ |
| Antelope | 65"-70" | 70"+ |
On The Ground
Composed of mostly private land, including some large ranches managed for trophy elk hunting, this unit runs from the crest of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains east to Interstate 25 and includes part of the San Isabel National Forest. Mule deer and antelope also thrive here.
Hardworking hunters have a good chance of finding bull elk, mule deer and antelope, which inhabit low terrain in the east.
Terrain
The rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains run along the western border and include part of the the San Isabel National Forest. Peaks reach well above timberline at 11,500 feet. The Spanish Peaks Wilderness area is in the central part of the unit and includes two widely separated peaks that are above timberline: East Spanish Peak at 12,683 feet and West Spanish Peak at 13,626 feet. Rolling ridges and creek drainages covered in ponderosa pines and oak brush are above fairly flat farm and range land.
Roughly 1,174 square miles
18% public land
Elevations from 7,000-13,626 feet
Vegetation
Low elevations—Flats with rolling hills covered in sagebrush, grass, pinyon pines and juniper trees, agricultural fields on the valley floor with scattered cottonwood trees along creeks. Some areas have ponderosa and oak brush. Middle elevations—Mostly spruce and fir trees mixed with large, scattered aspen groves along with flats covered with grass and wildflowers on ridge tops. High elevations—Steep slopes leading to the peaks above timberline are covered in grass, wildflowers, and loose rock.
Access
Primitive four-wheel drive roads and ATV trails branch off a few well-maintained roads that access much of the national forest land. Wilderness and backcountry trails are marked for hiking and horseback riding. Much of the middle and lower elevations are private land, with large hunting ranches. Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area includes more than 6,000 acres that are open to deer and elk hunting.
Four-wheel drive recommended
Bad weather can limit vehicle travel
Limited access and private land in much of the east
Camping and Lodging
To camp in the wilderness and much of the high country, you must backpack or pack in with horses. Good camping sites on public land along roads are near hunting areas, so expect to see other hunters. Trinidad and Walsenburg have hotels, but are on both far east of most public land. Camping is permitted at designated sites in Spanish Peaks State Wildlife Area.
Historical Temperatures
High
Low
Moon Phases
March 2025
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5