The wilderness preserves a large flat mesa dotted with lakes and thick forests and home to large herds of elk. Flat tops wilderness guides is a permitted hunting, fishing and summer trip. Located between the tarryall mountains and puma hills, south and east of the town of jeffernson off of highway 285. Flat top ohv staging area bureau of land management. It is most popular for mountain biking and offhighway vehicle use, and enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of routes the area features two offhighway vehicle play areas, an atv and motorcycle site, and a beginner riding area. I am not sure where the flat top wilderness area is.
National geographics trails illustrated map of flat tops north delivers unmatched detail and valuable information to assist you in your exploration of this scenic region of flattopped mountains, subalpine terrain, alpine tundra, and hundreds of streams, lakes, and. The flat tops get hunted hard, but most guys road hunt or venture up one of the many trails a short distance. The white river national forest has the largest elk herd on earth and the routt national forest to the north is not far behind. National geographics trails illustrated map of flat tops north. The flat tops wilderness area is unique, a high plateau at 11,000 feet. My son and i had been planning a backpacking trip in the flat tops wilderness for almost a year. For 82 scenic miles, colorado s flat tops trail scenic byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful flat tops wilderness and tours some of the states least traveled roads, as well as two delightful wild west towns. Flat tops wilderness guides is a permitted hunting, fishing and summer trip outfitter in the flat tops wilderness area of colorados rocky mountains. The mountain is part of the flat tops range, a spectacular group of mountains that were built on top of the white river plateau by volcanic activity. Colorado is home to 40 federally protected wilderness areas totaling over 3. Flat tops north national geographic trails illustrated map. The fact is that most nonwestern hunters just want the opportunity to get a shot at an elk and these two forests are the best in the west in terms of opportunity. Many of the areas protect highly scenic jagged peaks and the headwaters of rivers that are the drinking water of the burgeoning cities of the southwest. The flat tops wilderness area can be accessed by colorado rd 7 through the town of yampa, in routt county, colorado the flat tops range is.
A family vacation in colorado springs is the smart choice great lodging values, a long list of lowcost or nocost activities, and adventure around every corner. For 82 scenic miles, colorados flat tops trail scenic byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful flat tops wilderness and climbs over two of colorados leasttraveled passes. Flat tops wilderness is covered by the big marvine peak, co us topo map quadrant. Flat tops wilderness guides, big game hunting and expeditions, gypsum, colorado. There are a ton of elk in there, but seldom anything over 2. Flat tops wilderness is a reserve in colorado and has an elevation of 11,5 feet. Flat tops wilderness area was first of the great protected. Flat top mountain and edge lake trail colorado alltrails. Offers standard wilderness specific maps for most forest service wilderness areas. For 82 scenic miles, colorados flat tops trail scenic byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful flat tops wilderness and tours some of the states least traveled. Flat tops wilderness guides, big game hunting and expeditions. For 82 scenic miles, colorados flat tops trail scenic byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful flat tops wilderness and tours some of the states least traveled roads, as well as two delightful wild west towns. Flat tops wilderness is in the reserves category for garfield county in the state of colorado.
Flat tops wilderness guides is a permitted hunting, fishing and summer trip outfitter in the flat tops wilderness area of colorado s rocky mountains. The entire expanse of the flat tops is located in the white river and routt national forests managed by the us forest service. Colorado state implementation plan for regional haze tsd page 2. Colorados best backpacking trips in the flat top wilderness area. Colorados best backpacking trips in the colorados flat top wilderness area get away from the crowds and experience solitude and wilderness. The 235,000acre flat tops wilderness area was formally recognized in 1975 and is now the thirdlargest in colorado. Bureau of mines studies related to wilderness geological survey bulletin 1230c an evaluation of the mineral potential of the area. Flat top is an upland desert landscape within gunnison gorge national conservation area. Jul 12, 2019 colorado s flat tops trail scenic byway runs 82 miles thorough the pastoral flat tops wilderness in northern colorado, near meeker, yampa and steamboat springs, with a short side trip to the beautiful trappers lake. Two decades later, in a foreshadowing of the 1964 wilderness act, development of any kind was banned around trappers lake the cradle of wilderness. They cannot be used to promote individual, forprofit businesses or sold or used in a photo project that is for sale.
The flat tops wilderness area can be accessed by colorado rd 7 through the town of yampa, in routt county, colorado. For 82 scenic miles, colorado s flat tops trail scenic byway winds its way through lush river valleys, skirts the bountiful flat tops wilderness and climbs over two of colorado s leasttraveled passes. This challenging, straightthrough trail provides users with about 6. Geochemical sample locality map of the comanchebig south, neotaflat top, and never summer wilderness study areas, colorado in pocket 3. When god takes a vacation, he comes to a colorado wilderness you should too. Offers standard wildernessspecific maps for most forest service wilderness areas. Colorado wilderness rides and guides offer amazing guided backpacking, fly fishing, and multiday wilderness experiences in the flat top wilderness ranging from 3 to 10 days. Looking for a great trail in flat tops wilderness, colorado.
Flat top wilderness area fly fishing and backpacking. Once on top youll find moderate striding across rolling tundra. The flat tops wilderness is located in northwest colorado, north of glenwood springs in portions of eagle, garfield and rio blanco counties. The flat tops wilderness, colorado s second largest, is remarkable for many reasons. Geochemical and samplelocality maps, flat tops primitive area. Co boasts to have the biggest elk herd in the world, and statewide statisitice historically has shown this area to hold more elk. Although remote, active ranches, mines and logging exist along the drive, with something around every turn. Feb 14, 2017 by rocky mountain standards, where lungbusting ascents are commonplace, the 235,230acre flat tops wilderness is hikerfriendly.
The omain reason we wanted to stay here was because there is nowhere else in the area to where we could walk to get a hot meal and a hot shower. Wildlife in the area include elk, mule deer, black bear, big horn sheep, mountain, antelope, and an occasional moose. The flat tops wilderness area is located in the white river and routt national forests in colorado. After driving two days from california, through nevada and utah, we made it to colorado. Flat tops is a mountain range located in colorado within the routt and white river national forests. The hiking and camping guide to colorados flat tops. It connects the towns of yampa to the east and meeker to the west. Colorado uses game management units gmus to describe hunting boundaries. The flat top wilderness is located north of the town of glenwood springs in northern colorado. This is a much cheaper option than purchasing individual usgs quads and the maps are extremely high quality. A log of locations, tips and directions to camping and outdoor adventures in colorado. Mineral resources of the flat tops primitive area colorado.
Flat tops wilderness is displayed on the big marvine peak usgs quad topo map. We camped on the grounds of sweetwater lake resort aj brink outfitters keeps 54 horses here. They cannot be used to promote individual, forprofit businesses or. Every evening they move the horses down the road and into a pasture to graze.
Sharp breaks in the basalt lava flows of the high white river plateau define the edge of the flat tops escarpment. National geographics trails illustrated map of flat tops north delivers unmatched detail and valuable information to assist you in your exploration of this scenic region of flattopped mountains, subalpine terrain, alpine tundra, and hundreds of streams, lakes, and ponds. Trappers lake, a relatively unknown colorado jewel, reaps. Apr 29, 2016 waterproof tearresistant topographic map. Waterproof tearresistant topographic mapflat tops is colorados second largest wilderness. Trappers lake, aka cradle of wilderness, in the flat tops wilderness. Flat tops wilderness documents forest service air resource.
Rocky mountain region region 2 routt national forest, white river national forest. Flat tops wilderness guides offers several different hunting options in colorado from drop camps all the way to deluxe guided lodge hunts. You can help ensure these places exist for generations to come by staying on roads and trails, keeping speeds in check. Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. At the end of the journey in meeker, youre greeted by a town filled with pastoral charm and a gritty history. Explore the wilderness and towns surrounding the wilderness of your choice. Read the hiking and camping guide to colorados flat tops wilderness by al marlowe available from rakuten kobo. Flat tops wilderness topo map in garfield county, colorado.
A 200mile trail network creates a mindboggling matrix connecting 80 lakes and geologic features like the chinese wall, a 1,000foot rampart 5 curvy. Trappers lake is the most well known part of the wilderness, and offers a scenic alpine lake setting for campers. Aeromagnetic map of the comanchebig south, neotaflat top, and never summer wilderness study area. The spectacular gunnison gorge wilderness area is managed for challenging whitewater boating, gold medal trout fishing and back. Forests near colorados flat tops nasa earth observatory. Starting july of 2018, all new resourcesgearlists not directly related to our flat tops wilderness deerelk hunts will be published on our website. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from march until october. Flat tops trail colorado department of transportation. Above these cliffs, a great expanse of rolling subalpine meadows and alpine tundra beckons. You will find a few on top during the first couple days but they will quickly get pushed off. Our family has been fortunate to own colorado ranch property for the past 20 years that adjoins the beaver.
Yet, for many coloradans, it remains relatively unknown. White river national forest flat tops wilderness white river. Badger flats provides easy ohv rides on mostly smooth and level full size forest roads. Regardless of where you are at the elk will act the sameif it is warm during the day 40 degrees and greater hunt the dark timber on the north facing slopes as far from the truck as you can get. The areas longstanding history of preservation and multipleuse land management makes for pristine scenery and superlative wildlife viewing. Government information and links are at the bottom of this page you can see the unique splendor of the flat tops wilderness in a 64 min. The flat tops wilderness, designated a wilderness area in 1975 by the united states congress and nicknamed the cradle of wilderness, is the 2nd largest wilderness area in colorado. In 1997 pruett publishing in boulder, colorado, published his second book, fly fishing the colorado river. From a distance, the flat tops could be mistaken for the setting of sir arthur conan doyles 1912 classic the lost world, in which dinosaurs roam cloudpenetrating mesas in a land that time forgot. The united states congress designated the flat tops wilderness map in 1975. Choose the location, size, resolution, paper type, and other map attributes like flat or folded. Mineral resources of the flat tops primitive area colorado usgs.
Beautiful scenery, elk and other wildlife filmed during the summer of 1997. Flat tops is colorados second largest wilderness, a precious expanse of. Flat tops wilderness topo map, garfield county co big. Situated between 8,000 12,000, the flat tops are a combination of large lakes, pristine rivers, high plateau mountains, and amazing scenery. The only place to stay in the flat tops wilderness. Flat tops wilderness guides 5097 sweetwater rd gypsum co 81637. Flat tops wilderness sweetwater and marvine trail riding. This map is used with permission from the wilderness society. Hunt mule deer, rocky mountain bull elk, big horn sheep, mountain goats and black bear with flat tops wilderness guides. Bureau of mines to make mineral surveys of wilderness and primitive. The area is home to one hundred and ten ponds and lakes.
If you are looking for upscale housing for a corporate group or want to stay in a world class lodge while you hunt, this is the hunt for you. This is the gateway to flat tops wilderness and white river national forest is nearby. Photos are to be used only to promote colorado as a leisure destination or in a news story. In fact, flat tops plateau is much higher, standing about 3,750 meters 12,300 feet above sea level and 300 meters 1,000 feet above the adjacent lowlands. This map shows you to all the wilderness areas in colorado as of 2004. Flat tops wilderness it the second largest wilderness in colorado.
Co us topo map quadrant free us topo map pdf order waterproof printed topo map water land. Anyone who is interested in visiting flat tops wilderness can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. Flat tops wilderness guides 5097 sweetwater rd gypsum, co. Flat tops wilderness area co elk hunt 24hourcampfire. The only guidebook to hiking and camping in the flat tops, colorado s second largest wilderness area.
Trappers lake is nearby and they do have a little chunk of white river that is private for fishing. Responsible use is key to the success of travel management and a. In 1994 his first book, a hiking and camping guide to the flat tops wilderness area, was published by fred pruett books in boulder, colorado. Mineral resources of the flat tops primitive area colorado by w. The flat tops wilderness lies within the routt and white river national forest and is one of the largest primitive areas in the rocky mountains.
Best trails in flat tops wilderness colorado alltrails. For sources generally further than 50 km from a class i area, the visibility threshold for concern is not exceeded if the 98th %ile change in light extinction is. It is well known as some of the very best elk and deer country anywhere. Flat tops wilderness area colorado department of transportation. This comprehensive book covers all wilderness trails with detailed descriptions, maps, and photographs. This area seems to get more attention for an elk hunt, than any other area ive seen in colorado. Flat tops trail scenic byway is a secluded, 82mile stretch in beautiful northwest colorado. For more information, please contact the gunnison gorge nca or. Trappers lake, located in the north of the area, was the lake that inspired arthur carhart, a united states. Much of the range is within the boundary of the flat tops wilderness area. Geological survey publishes a set of the most commonly used topographic maps of the u. Colorado ranches for sale in the flattops wilderness area. Colorado has many amazing outdoor and wilderness gems, but the flat top wilderness area, located in white river national forest is truly a gem.
All of this wilderness is located in colorado and is managed by the forest service. Flat tops north national geographic trails illustrated. Lichens as bioindicators and monitors of air pollution in the flat tops wilderness area, colorado. Colorado is the flashpoint of the wilderness act, and arthur carhart was the man, said holly king, owner of trappers lake lodge, which sits just outside the flat tops wilderness area. Types of hunts in colorado flat tops wilderness guides. Click on the graphic above to download a map of all forty colorado wilderness areas. The nearest weather station for both precipitation and temperature measurements is ya which is approximately 23 miles away and has an elevation of 7,890 feet 3,245 feet lower than flat tops wilderness.
These 10,000 to 12,354foothigh tablelands seem to levitate above the surrounding valleys, altogether out of place in a state known for jagged summits. Jul 11, 2017 colorados best backpacking trips in the colorados flat top wilderness area get away from the crowds and experience solitude and wilderness. Best lake trails in flat tops wilderness alltrails. It covers over 235,000 acres of land, and is situated on the white river plateau. Staying at least one night at the trappers lake lodge was a large part of our plans all of this time. Hunt resources and gear lists wilderness big game hunting.