[GoreGreenDrake]

Hello everyone, I'm new to this forum and Colorado as well.  I am a big fan of multi day hike in and fish type trips.  I was wondering if anyone could suggest a good overnight fishing hike for trout in the Summit/Eagle County area.  I am thinking about Cross Creek in the Mount of Holy Cross Wilderness.  Huge trout aren't as important as great views and fiesty brookies and cutthroats. 

 

[OURAY]

Paul, there are tons of places to go in Colorado. There are Wilderness Areas throughout the state that provide access to great fishing, camping and solitude. Your best bet is to pick up a back packing guide book at your local bookstore.

 

[GoreGreenDrake]

Thanx OURAY, I've been nose deep into every book I can find, I have several ideas, but I was hoping to hear some first hand accounts. There is definately no lack of great backpacking opportunities, It's just that there are so many!! Paul

 

[flyfishcolorado]

I have a little trip I love to hike back to. Its called little Chicago lakes on Mt Evans. The way we always made the trip was take 2 cars park one on top of the bluff overlooking the lake and one at the road that leads out of the area. Then the complete hike is down hill. The lake down below is filled with 14-16" cutts all willing to eat a Elk Hair Caddis or a green soft Hackle. I know i had 50 fish afternoons. Just bring rain gear that weather changes in a hurry


Fish

 

[epic]

Someone posted this site for me when I asked about the same thing: http://www.resourceanalysis.com
Its a pretty good site it has alot of information on some smaller lakes, trails, distances, and fishing for a bunch of high country / back country lakes not far from Denver or Ft. Collins areas. I wished it had more of the state since I'm not in that area of the state but if you're planning a trip and want to head that way its a good resource.

 

[GoreGreenDrake]

Thanks for the great leads!!!  any others out there?  I don't want your secret spots, just a push in the right direction.  ;D

 

[BuckarooBanzai]

Huge trout aren't as important as great views and fiesty brookies and cutthroats.

Unfortunately, Paul, don't expect to find many cutthroats in the HCW. I've made several backpacking treks through the area, and the only fish caught were brookies.

 

[GoreGreenDrake]

Thanks Buckaroo, I'll keep that in mind. It's kinda weird coming from the East Coast where protecting brookie habitat is top priority, but out here they are gobbling up the space needed for the cutts to thrive. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[OURAY]

The Brook Trout were introduced into Colorado in the 1800s and filled the void of the decline of the Native Greenback Cutthroat. There is now a effort by the D.O.W. to remove Brook Trout from various streams and lakes and replacing them with the Greenback Cutthroat. The Pure strain of Greenback Cutthroats were once thought extinct in Colorado until a small population was found somewhere around the Indian Peaks Wilderness area back in the early 70s. Since then they have made a major comeback. Some people take issue with the poisoning of Brook Trout populations. I personally think that the Greenback Cutthroat is the prettiest of the trout and enjoy catching them. I also enjoy catching the scrappy Brook Trout. I welcome the Greenbacks reintroduction in the areas which they once inhabited but think that Brook Trout populations should be left a lone in areas that did not historically hold the Greenbacks.
If you want to Catch the Greenbacks go into Rocky Mountain National park or Indian Peaks Wilderness area where major reintroduction efforts have taken place. If your after Brook Trout they are in a million other places around the state. Choose almost any high mountain stream and you will find them.

 

[slayerfish]

The flattops have treated me real well since about 1984.Best times are in may-june just at ice-out and late august-oct. No bugs at these times!Big fish!

 

[GoreGreenDrake]

Thanks again everyone, what a great place to share information!!!

 

[Zman]

Slayer have you ever made the trek to Wall Lake?...I have been meaning to check that out...a short non brutal hike in the area is Coffin Lake...little with tough to catch big fish...many people walk right past it...

 

[slayerfish]

No zman havent fished that side of trappers much.Theres lots of little lakes that have nice fish in 'em up there.I've got a couple unnamed ones circled that I should be hittin in early to mid june!

 

[lambdebois]

Someone posted this site for me when I asked about the same thing: http://www.resourceanalysis.com
Its a pretty good site it has alot of information on some smaller lakes, trails, distances, and fishing for a bunch of high country / back country lakes not far from Denver or Ft. Collins areas. 

Back from the dead but....
That's an awsome link. Thanks for sharing.

 

[epic]

No problem.... I plan on spending a little more time this year in the back country (in better shape this year) so keep an eye out for my reports.

 

[D-Moe]

   
http://www.resourceanalysis.com
   
The resourceanalysis.com site site has some good information. 

Just FYI: A lot of the information on the site is copied word for word out of a book about the Indian Peaks by a guy named Heasley.  I might be a little off on the author's name, but anyway, it was printed in the '90s, so the info is dated.  A lot can change in ten years! Some of the lakes that had brookies, or a mix back then, have nothing but Greenback Cutts (East o the divide) or Colorado River Cutts now. 
     
I can't wait for things to warm up and for the lids to come off!   ;D  I hope to do a lot of backcountry hiking and fishing this year.   
     

 

[orvis4wt]

Try Corona Lake... short hike and cutts, it's not in the area your looking but it's a great lake just up from Winter park...

 

[Tubadude]

There is fantastic fishing in many alpine regions of Colorado. I don't go to ther area you are describing, know lots of other locals especially in the San Juans. If you like backpacking, it can't be beat. No secrets, as over 60 alpine lakes in that area are stocked. Easy pickings are the Highland Mary Lakes and Verde Lakes area - very dramatic and great camping. Further treks can be made to Emerald Lake. You can even have the Durango-Silverton steam train drop you off and hike from there....