Southwest of Kremmling along the Colorado River including Gore Canyon is the home of a band of Bighorns; 14 rams and ewes were reintroduced in 2008/2009 with an additional 13 rams and ewes added in 2013/2014. A large portion of the unit consists of both BLM and State Wildlife Areas (SWA).
This unit is an example of planning a reintroduction and watching it unfold with a very positive result. Mature Bighorns range from 4 years to 7 years old with many rams reaching three quarter curl or better with the potential of one or two rams pushing full curl.
Gore Canyon is a short, isolated, nasty, rugged, steep walled and inaccessible canyon on the upper Colorado River as it cuts through the northern portion of the Gore Range. Heading south of the Colorado River, elevations rise to 9,400 feet on San Toy Mountain, 9,800 ft Dice Hill and Sheephorn Mountain. Beaver, Dry, Camp, and Spruce Creeks flow eastward from the Gore Range and empty into the Blue River as it flows northward to the Colorado. Sheephorn Creek heads westward flowing to the Colorado. Mountains, ridges, rolling hills and drainages combine to create a landscape that looks easier to travel than it is.
Mountains consist of timbered slopes of Douglas fir and scattered stands of lodgepole pine. Once away for the north slopes, ridges and hills are covered with pinyon/juniper along with sagebrush and other mountain shrubs. Open range of buffalo and blue gramma grasses cover thousands of acres. Willows and Cottonwoods can be found lining some creek bottoms.
“Gore Canyon is roadless and inaccessible, except for the Union Pacific Railroad's, Moffat Subdivision and whitewater rafts.” The canyon is not directly accessible by roads; it is possible to view part of the canyon from County Road 1 (Through Road) that runs along its southern rim. Trough Road connects with US Highway 9 just south of the Colorado River. Colorado Route 131 connects with Trough Road at State Bridge. Special travel restrictions apply to State Wildlife Areas. Check with BLM office for any travel regulations.
BLM lands offers dispersed camping. Check with local Colorado parks and wildlife. Kremmling is the closest community that offers limited options for lodging, food and gas or diesel. Interstate 70 is 32 miles to the south of Kremmling. Frisco, Dillon and Silverthorne offer a wide variety of motels, Bed & B’s, restaurants and café’s, medical facilities and 24/7 gas and diesel. South of State Bridge, Edwards has a variety for motels, restaurants, medical facilities and 24/7 fuel.
Roughly 368 square miles
59.1% public land
Elevations from 5,800–9,800 feet
Heavy rains can make roads slick and easily rutted
Ask for permission before entering private Ranch near San Toy Mountain