tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post4160765166849867165..comments2024-01-28T13:50:18.030-08:00Comments on Tomcat's Outdoor Adventures: Backpacking the West Elk WildernessTOMCAThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06654755402217370740noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-25635907166966980232022-06-22T16:35:04.858-07:002022-06-22T16:35:04.858-07:00Thanks for visiting me website. The area definitel...Thanks for visiting me website. The area definitely has its challenges with lack of maintenance. I enjoyed the solitude of the area compared to other parts of Colorado. Tomcatnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-65866269182141566062022-06-22T09:59:48.686-07:002022-06-22T09:59:48.686-07:00Just got back from a 6-day trip to the wilderness....Just got back from a 6-day trip to the wilderness. Conditions were similar; we started with little information, and saw one other group in 6 days (!!!). The trails were vague and easily lost; I'd recommend that anyone who goes in is prepared for bushwhacking. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-73945162378312935692022-01-20T14:23:09.997-08:002022-01-20T14:23:09.997-08:00Thanks for reading. This hike was my own creation ...Thanks for reading. This hike was my own creation and planned using a Latitude 40 Map with some reference to USFS website for trail descriptions. I looked at my map and you are right about the West Elk Creek, I missed the “West” on the map. If my route is confusing, it may be because the actual trails are confusing with little or no signage at some junctions and the names on my map were not always clear. Despite the lack of maintenance, I enjoyed the wildness and solitude of the West Elk Wilderness and the route finding kept it interesting. TOMCAThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654755402217370740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-86333735081751681742022-01-20T12:36:04.431-08:002022-01-20T12:36:04.431-08:00Your caveat this area is not for beginners should ...Your caveat this area is not for beginners should be heeded. With budget cuts the USFS is unable to do much that maintain the more popular trails. Many sections of the trails in the wilderness have not been maintained for 60 years so the trails are overgrown, blocked by deadfall, or wiped out in places by spring runoff or avalanches. Most of what trail work is done is by either hunting outfitters or ranchers for summer range access.<br /><br />I have hiked the area extensively and your route description still lost me a couple times. The Elk creek you describe is actually West Elk as opposed to the East Elk which has headwaters near Rainbow Lake.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-498805813697342882020-11-23T11:01:01.269-08:002020-11-23T11:01:01.269-08:00Thanks for reading. Thanks for reading. TOMCAThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654755402217370740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-18334263456195701612020-11-22T19:13:13.434-08:002020-11-22T19:13:13.434-08:00Thanks for sharing such useful information. It is ...Thanks for sharing such useful information. It is so helpful for fellow backpackers to make the most of their excursions and your post is so helpful. I hiked the Mill creek trail and the Lowline Trail August 2020. The upper Mill was epic. I wouldn't repeat the lowline. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11232017339168437085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-87006261660994388242020-07-24T08:25:52.482-07:002020-07-24T08:25:52.482-07:00Just below the saddle the trail is quite steep. T...Just below the saddle the trail is quite steep. There was a meadow below the steep section maybe a mile below the saddle where you may be able to find a tent spot. The Soap Creek Drainage may give you a better shot at finding a spot. I personally would recommend the Elk Creek area to camp. I liked that area. There aren't really many established campsites along the route so be prepared to pick your own spot. Hope this helps and thanks for visiting my page.TOMCAThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654755402217370740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-37247976777223554092020-07-22T13:12:17.554-07:002020-07-22T13:12:17.554-07:00I am looking at an almost identical loop as you di...I am looking at an almost identical loop as you did for this fall. My trip will be more leisure though. Is there any flat areas for a campsite and water in the creek along the Sun Park trail just west of the saddle between Middle and South Baldy? Thanks. Troyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14901703172290614100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-12371741914700869912020-06-11T16:20:11.551-07:002020-06-11T16:20:11.551-07:00Great journal and trip commentary. You sure book t...Great journal and trip commentary. You sure book the mileage. I am planning on doing most of this route in a few weeks. We plan to start at the Soap Creek Trailhead and do a big 60+ mile loop. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-33819502899084512019-11-07T04:18:58.402-08:002019-11-07T04:18:58.402-08:00Very cool and very nice place to visit. Thank you ...Very cool and very nice place to visit. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I love the photo shots. This is a cool article. Try to check this too<br /><a href="https://typesofinsects.com/" rel="nofollow">Types of Insectst</a><br />clarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10077261386172777568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-62555312767275507202019-10-20T05:50:15.914-07:002019-10-20T05:50:15.914-07:00Wow.Lovely places. One of my dream destination. Th...Wow.Lovely places. One of my dream destination. Thanks for sharing. Try to check this too<br /><a href="https://dogsnstuff.net/" rel="nofollow">DogsNStuff.net</a><br />clarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10077261386172777568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4946675798784275561.post-91673136348776541022019-07-18T05:06:39.981-07:002019-07-18T05:06:39.981-07:00Awesome place.JUST WOW!
What do animals eat?Awesome place.JUST WOW!<br /><a href="https://what-do-animals-eat.com" rel="nofollow">What do animals eat?</a>clarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10077261386172777568noreply@blogger.com