Quick Tips
- Do not expect to glass near highway
- Heavy traffic
- Dress in layers
| species | general Size | trophy potential |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep | 150"-160" | 160"+ |
On The Ground
Southeast of Gunnison is Cochetopa Canyon. The majority of the canyon is on BLM land. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimates the Cochetopa herd at 100 Rocky Mountain bighorns.
Rams travel up and down the canyon and along nearby ridges, gulches and creeks during most of the year. The area above the canyon is extremely open, which provides excellent glassing from ridge tops roughly a mile away.
Terrain
Cochetopa Canyon consists of rocky hillsides and cliffs that are cut by deep gulches and creeks. The majority of elevation gain on both sides of the canyon is close to 600 feet in less than a quarter mile.
Roughly 378 square miles
81.5% public land
Elevations from 7,540-12,147 feet
Vegetation
Cochetopa Creek has some dense areas of willow, spruce, pine and fir. The steep hillsides have open areas of short grasses, sagebrush and stands of pine. Some oakbrush, willows, and aspen can be found in creek bottoms away from the canyon.
Access
Cochetopa Canyon consists mainly of BLM land along Colorado Route 114 between Parlin and County Road 14PP. Only a couple of county roads head east off of Colorado Route 114. Unnamed secondary tracts head west of Colorado Route 114 are near Bead Creek, Cottonwood Gulch, Rock Creek and Alkali Creek.
Camping and Lodging
Cochetopa Canyon Recreation Area has developed campsites. Gunnison has several choices in motels, bed and breakfasts or cabin rentals, cafes and restaurants, medical facilities, a regional airport and gas and diesel.
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