| Species | General Size | Trophy Potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 155"-165" | 170"+ |
High
Low
Eight peaks reaching 14,000 feet are found within the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, San Isabel and Gunnison National Forest, providing over two hundred thousand acre of public land. The bighorn herd is estimated close to 160. The state of Colorado allocates both resident and nonresident tags.
Bighorns are scattered in bands from Independence Pass to the Cottonwood Pass. The mountains within this unit are steep and can make this a difficult hunt.
Peaks reaching 14,000 feet include Mount Yale, Columbia, Harvard, Oxford and Belford, Missouri Mountain, Huron Peak and La Plata Peak. The Three Apostles are a group of three 13,000 foot peaks. La Plata, Missouri, Church and Silver Basins are home to many alpine lakes. Creeks on the eastern side of the Continental Divide bring snowmelt to the Arkansas River, while those on the western slopes cascade toward the Gunnison River.
Above 11,000 feet alpine grasses and wildflowers cover high elevation meadows. Rock slopes are covered with moss and lichens. Seeps and other wet areas support barren ground willow. At the timberline bristlecone pine, fir, and shrub-like spruce can be found. Stands of spruce, western hemlock, fir, lodgepole pine and aspens cover much of the mountain slopes below timberline to 10,500 feet. Below 10,500 feet are ponderosa pine, bitterbrush, mountain mahogany, groves of aspen lining ridges, slopes and drainages. Lower elevations support pinyon/juniper, cottonwoods, willows, aspen, sagebrush, oak brush and bunch grasses.
The San Isabel National Forest has established nine improved campgrounds along Colorado Route 82 and one west of Buena Vista before Cottonwood Pass. Gunnison National Forest offers three improved campgrounds near Taylor Reservoir. Buena Vista is a mountain community offering numerous choices of motels, B&Bs, cafes and restaurants.
Roughly 470 square miles
90.5% public land
Elevations from 6,800-14,196 feet
The Collegiate Peaks Wilderness, portions of San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests and BLM lands offer over two hundred thousand acres of public lands. Paved roads leading to either county or forest service roads are Colorado Route 82 and U.S. Highway 24. Some of the County Roads to consider are 209, 306, 390 and 398. Outside of the Collegiate peaks, Wilderness Forest Service Roads like 394, 584, 755 and 742-3D provide a way to get close to known bighorn areas.
Collegiate Peaks Wilderness – foot or horseback travel restrictions
Wilderness Net - http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/wildView?WID=131