Five peaks reaching up to 14,000 feet can be found between Buena Vista, Leadville and Fairplay. Thousands of acres of public land, a population of about 200 bighorns and good trail access make this a good area for a successful hunt.
Rams are frequently seen close to the Arkansas River between Buena Vista and Granite.
Cameron Point, Sherman, Lincoln, Bross and Democrat all reach up to 14,000 feet above sea level. One of the highest passes in the state is Mosquito Pass at over 13,000 feet which separates Leadville from Alma. The Weston and Hoosier Passes run across the Continental Divide above 11,000 feet. Thousands of acres are above timberline with vast alpine meadows, areas of scree and boulders and alpine lakes. East Fork joins other creeks near Leadville creating the Arkansas River. Many gulches and streams feed the Arkansas as it cascades south towards Buena Vista.
Cottonwoods and willows line the banks all along the Arkansas. Irrigated hay fields and alfalfa can be found here surrounded by areas of pinyon/juniper, sagebrush and oak brush. Pinyon/juniper join ponderosa pine, stands of aspen, mountain mahogany and grassy meadows on foothills. Spruce, fir, aspen and pine cover the upper slopes. Closer to the timberline bristlecone pines give way to acres of wildflowers, moss, lichens and barren ground willows above 11,000 feet.
National Forest campgrounds include Kite Lake, Fourmile, Horseshoe, Weston Pass and Buffalo Springs. Arkansas Headwaters campsites include Stone Cabin and Riverside. The Mountain communities of Buena Vista, Leadville and Fairplay offer motels, café, restaurants, medical care, municipal airport, gas and diesel.
Roughly 532 square miles
74.9% public land
Elevations from 7,100-14,286 feet
The Pike and San Isabel National forest, BLM and state lands provide thousands of acres of public lands. Some bighorn range along the Arkansas River is located on private land. A good county road system heads across Mosquito Range. OHVs, horses and four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended. U.S, Highway 285 and 24, Colorado Route 9 and 91 connect to a number of county and forest service roads that head to sheep country. The Arkansas headwaters Recreation Area has over 150 miles of river and includes about 6,193 acres.