Quick Tips
- Dress in layers
- Use quality optics
- Filter drinking water
- Bring a fly rod
- Be bear aware around campsite
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 155"-165" | 170"+ |
On The Ground
Northeast of Gunnison and east of Crested Butte is home to a rebounding herd estimated at 40 Rocky Mountain Bighorns. A resident archery tag is shared between S-26 and S-70.
The Taylor River herd population had dropped in numbers. The Taylor River Canyon and surrounding mountains offer a very challenging hunt to tag holders. The canyon walls are sheer and rocky in many areas that can hide a small group of rams. Try to recruit friends to join you spotting rams in the canyon.
Terrain
14,000' Castle Peak is joined by other 13,000’ and 12,000’ Peaks within the Elk Mountain Range. A number of 12,000’ passes across the Elk Mountains are named Coffee Pot, Triangle, Cooper and Pearl Pass. Alpine basins like Cumberland and Cooper sit below these peaks and passes. Headwaters for Taylor River are below Crystal, Star and Taylor Peaks feeds into Taylor Reservoir. It controls the flow of water through Taylor Canyon until it reaches Almont and joins East River forming the Gunnison. Taylor Canyon has areas of sheer rocky cliffs on the north side of the river from spillway to Spring Creek.
Roughly 410 square miles
90% public land
Elevations from 7,780-14,265 feet
Vegetation
Alpine tundra filled with wildflowers in the Elk Mountains to sagebrush covered foothills along the Gunnison. Mountain slopes with areas of dense forest of spruce, fir and pine to groves of aspen, willows and cottonwoods. Open gassy parks below timberline to lush green pastures near Gunnison. Oak brush and mountain mahogany create thick pockets along creek, on ridges and foothills.
Access
Large portions of Gunnison National Forest and Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness offer thousands of acres of public lands. The southern portion of Maroon Bells- Snowmass Wilderness restricts travel to foot and horseback from near Mount Bellview to Pearl Mountain.
Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness at Gunnison National Forest Trailhead
Twin Lakes Trailhead - Twin Lakes Trail #402
Lower Copper Lake Trailhead - Copper Creek Trail #983
Colorado Route 135 heads northeast of Gunnison and connects county and forest service roads. County Road 742 heads along the Taylor River passing Taylor Reservoir ending below Crystal Peak. Spring Creek Road head north of County Road 742 and connects with Forest Service Road 748, which connects with County Road 742 by Trail Creek.
State land: Almont Triangle consisting of 643 acres is reached off Colorado Route 135 three miles north of Almont.
Camping and Lodging
Gunnison National Forest provides many improved campground along Taylor River and surrounding Taylor Reservoir. Please refer to this link for details.
Crested Butte is a year round recreational destination. Visitors will find many choices for lodging. Motels, hotels, condos and bed and breakfast are available to fit any budget. Same goes for café and restaurants. Whatever your budget there is a place to get great food. Gunnison is a western community rich in cattle ranching and home to Western State. A wide choice of motels, bed and breakfast and cabin rentals are found in or near town. Cafés and restaurants for breakfast, lunch or dinner are along Main Street. A regional airport and hospital facilities provide solutions to travel or medical needs. 24/7 gas and diesel fuel options are in both communities.
Crested Butte: Breakfast - Izzy’s and Paradise Café, Lunch – Gas Café and Sunflower and Dinner – The Slogar – East Side Bistro
Gunnison: Breakfast - W Café and Palisades, Lunch – Firebrand and Twisted Fork and Dinner – Garlic Mikes – Ol Miner Steakhouse
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