Team Realtree Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 I have decided to start it in here this morning. This thread can be used to post pics, thoughts and stories on the trip. Please keep in mind that there are still folks up in those mountains and it will probably be this weekend and next week, before everyone has a chance to come in. Unfortunately, I can't post any of my pics until I hunt down the correct cable or card reader to retrieve them from my camera. I'm sure Steve (Buckee) will be the first sometime today. All I can say is that we had a great time. I didn't hunt, but wouldn't trade anything for the trip or the experience of being in that camp. I won't lie, me and the others were disapointed that more folks didn't make it, but understand that a trip like this is a big investment for many. Tony, we were glad to see you were home safe and sound. I saw your post about leaving (the night before I left) and when you didn't show up, we were concerned. We didn't have any communication means with the outside world and just didn't know. The Rocky mountains are hard to describe. Pictures do not describe what we saw and experienced. I will say that the Cottonwood pass will take your breath away in more ways than one:) Right Buckee? (I'll let the others describe it in more detail). Keep coming back and checking this thread as the stories and pics start telling the story. These get togethers are something we need to do on a regular basis. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Woohoo! Bring it on!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Can't wait to see some pics and some more stories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Realtree Posted October 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Just got my pics downloaded, so hope to start posting some today. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeramie Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Ill be keeping an eye out! I would love to have come but as youve state, the wallet was to thin. Now get those pics up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MUDRUNNER Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Man,I can't wait!I was planning on going,but we found out in February my wife was pregnant so I had to pass this year. Did anybody bag anything yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Hey Mud, congrats! Did anyone get an elk? New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Realtree Posted October 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Keep in mind that there will be many (probably hundreds of pics posted in here over the next couple of weeks. Here are a few to give you an idea of what the camp looked like. All the tents/campers were set-up in a 75-100 yard area overlooking a creek (Thanks to silvertip_co (Charlie) for reserving the great location). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Looks great. I really wish I could've been there. NEXT TIME---DEFINITELY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBUCK Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Great Pics Scott. I agree I can't believe that more people don't go to these get-togethers. Even the one we have in NY is a blast and people don't know what they are missing. I would love to go to Colorado on this trip but I have to get one with my bow first and prefer the early season for that. Keep the pics coming, can't wait to see more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread OK, now that is the beginning! Looks like a great camp-site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Awesome pics! More! More! More! More! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread I dunno, but that looks COLD! Especially Texastrophie's tent! New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread thanks for the pics Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Finn Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread That does look like a great time. I need to buy a camper. Too old for tents in the snow. (you all know us Air Force guys don't rough it ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrud Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Sounds like a great time! Can't wait to see more pictures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread First off, I'd like to say that this trip was an awesome "Outdoor" experience. Colorado is one awesomely beautiful State. We had a bit (did I say bit...lol) of bad weather the first three days, and I was starting to wonder when, in the spring-time, we would be getting back out. We(Scott and I) got there just before sundown on thursday. We had a hard time getting our camp-stove to work properly. Everytime we tried to shut the damper down, the fire would go out, so, needless to say, we almost froze the first night. I think that tent has seen better days too...LOL. The trip in was breathtaking, along with every turn in the road, and the trip out was even more breathtaking. Breathtaking, by the way, has more than one meaning here. If you've ever spent some time around 12,000 ft. above sea level, you understand what I mean ...lol (puff, puff, pant, pant, choke, choke ...LOL) The first 3 days, like I said, were snowy, windy and frigid (frigid is the key word here). The elk, we all agree, have either vacated the mountain for greener pastures, or were hold up in the timber, waiting for some fair weather to melt off some snow and ice. I imagine the wind kept them in cover. Personally, I think the elk are still there, and just hold up. There wasn't an Elk track to be seen anywhere. Sunday (day before we left) things were getting better. Sunny, but still windy. Monday when we left in the morning was an awesome day, and the temps were supposed to go up to 70 F. So, I'm hoping the Elk are starting to show themselves, since the rest of the gang is still there hunting. There was a shot fired at a bull Saturday night, but the estimated yardage fell short by about 150 yds. We're all blaming that on Steve B ...LOL Here's a few pics from the East side of the Great Divide Up to the top ....Awesome The 6th floor at the motel in Denver gave me a beautiful view of what we were in for on the horizon, Buena Vista residents Looking back down the pass, just before the summit At the top When we got to this point, there were a few vehicals parked up there (on slick ice), so Scott stopped and for a few minutes there we(he) were(was) reluctant to go further...LOL. It was at this point, that Scott and I were really wondering whether "All wheel drive" was the same as "4 wheel drive". As we started our "SLOW" decent down the other side, I looked over the bank and chuckled. Scott said, "What" I said, "OH nothing ...I was just going to say there are a lot of vehicals down there...LOL" Looking down towards Taylor reservoir. That large body of water down there is Taylor Reservoir. Once we get down there, we turn right, along the lake, and then head back up for 3.5 miles to camp. Down we go, hoping "All wheel drive" is every bit as good (or better..lol) than "4-wheel drive" Taylor Reservoir Once we got here, and found the road back up and into camp on an old goat trail...LOL, things got fun. We were starting to wonder if we were on the right goat-trail...LOL leaving the lake Goat trail to camp We ran across this abandoned, broken axel trailer about a third of the way in, and wondered who the poor hunter was that had to abandon his trailer. Found out when we got to camp, that it was Steve's. (bummer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Great pics buckee. From the sounds of it, I would have been a basketcase traveling those "roads" with our camper behind us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread [ QUOTE ] Great pics buckee. From the sounds of it, I would have been a basketcase traveling those "roads" with our camper behind us. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah...snapper and Pudd came in, in the middle of the storm on Friday. We were really surprised to see him driving in pulling his camper. But hey..I still missed ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NS whitetail Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread great pics buckee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Welcome Back! Fantastic Pic's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Beautiful pics guys!!!!! Sure wish I could have made it.........But after seeing the snow, I dunno, I ain't got a 4x4 that could make that trip!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Great pictures! Yep, I have heard all those stories about the elk are "high" up! No, the elk are down in the timber! No, the elk are below us and working their way down! No, the elk are in the black timber but will be coming out in a couple of days!! LOL!! Then the best was an article, I don't remember what magazine, but this guy said you have to hunt "where the elk are"!! No kidding!! You just might see one!! LOL!!! You have to love elk hunting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest outdoorgirl Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread Glad to see you guys made it back ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted October 25, 2006 Report Share Posted October 25, 2006 Re: \"Official\" Post Colorado Trip Thread OK, it's Saturday morning, opening day of Elk season. SteveB's plan was to go back up to the summit (which is about 7 or 8 miles from camp, as the crow flies), cross over into our valley and work their way down the mountain and then down Texas Creek to camp. We had the snow storm the night and day before and Snapper and Pudd had got in late, but ready to get hunting, along with Texastrophies. You remember the summit They were going to cross over and hunt down through the Valley to camp somewhere in the top right of the picture. I'm not sure exactly where they would have come over, but this gives you an idea. This is looking up the valley from camp the second one is a bit behind camp Well my job was to drive the vehicle back to camp after dropping them off on top. It was snowing when we got there, and we were all hoping it would clear soon. We said a little prayer for everyones safety and off they went. I figured I'd better sit there for a few minutes, just to make sure they all got going OK. I did say to Steve "Ya know, it's not too late to change plans" Glad I did, because Jeff got about 100 yrds up the horse trail, and waved for me to wait for him. He was having a hard time breathing, and made a wise choice to bail out, while the bailing was good. I would have too, at that point. Here's the guys going up the horse trail toward the other side of the valley. An adventure not to be forgotten I think that's Jeff turning around to see if I was still there. Glad I waited. Jeff and I headed back down to camp, as the weather deteriorated even more. It was almost a whiteout, by the time we got 1/4 of the way down the mountain. I said to Jeff that maybe we should go back up, just in case they all had second thoughts and came back out. It would have been tricky to turn around at this point so we went on down further. As we got lower, the sun came out, and it didn't look too bad, so we continued on to camp together. I guess they got about 1 1/2 hrs. in and it was still snowing up there. After getting over the top and doing lots of glassing, only to see one moose, one mulie buck and no elk tracks, they decided it best to turn back toward the summit. Steve managed to get a ride back to camp, with a couple of kind souls, at around 1:30pm, so I headed back up with Steve's truck to pick up Snapper and Pudd. I met up with them on the road, none the worse for wear, just below the alpine tree-line area. They must have had a good walk. I was going to turn and look out the drivers window and just drive by (as a joke), but didn't have the heart,(or the bravery...LOL) Charlie and his daughter, Erica went hunting on their own together and didn't have any luck either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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