Colorado State Flag

Unit G17

Last Updated: Sep 28, 2017
  • Share on Twitter

  • Share on Facebook

  • Email

Topographic Loading Image

A map error has occurred


Quick Tips

  • Good fly fishing
  • Wilderness travel restricted to foot or horseback
  • Filter drinking water

On The Ground

East of Basalt, South of Eagle and west of Leadville is small, stable population of mountain goats. Three wilderness areas within two National Forests have thousands of acres of public land.

There is a lot of recreational use during weekends in National Forest and wilderness areas. The mountain goat terrain is outside wilderness areas. Random weather changes should be expected, especially afternoon thunderstorms. This unit typically sees low numbers of goats with horns in the 7-9” range.

Terrain

Snowmelt from the mountains drains into drainages that fill Turquoise Lake, Ruedi Reservoir and Homestake Reservoir each spring. A lot of alpine lakes are found above 11,000 feet in cirques.

  • Roughly 450 square miles

  • 89.7% public land

  • Elevations from 8,035-14,421 feet

Open ranchlands with sagebrush, willows, grasses and cottonwoods can be found along river valleys. Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, stands of aspen and mountain mahogany cover the foothills into the higher mountain slopes. Spruce, fir and pine have open parks on steeper slopes. Above timberline alpine basins are covered in wildflowers, moss, lichens and ground willows.

Both U.S. Highway 24 and Colorado Route 82 connect to county and Forest Service roads that lead to three wilderness areas and thousands of public lands on White River and San Isabel National Forests. East of Independence Pass a trailhead at North Fork Lake Creek that goes into the Mount Massive Wilderness Area containing 30,000 acres. The Colorado Trail crosses 10 miles of the eastern region.

Aspen, Leadville, Basalt and Eagle have a lot of options for lodging, restaurants, gas and diesel.

High

Low

March 2025


Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat

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

insider access

Become a member to access this content

Only Insiders can access this content. For premium hunting content, tips & tricks, and access to our full suite of hunting tools, become an Insider today.

Already have an account?

Log in

insider Membership

Our top tier membership gives you everything we offer! Research tool, maps, and gear shop rewards, all in one plan.