Pre-Day One: Camp set, scouting done, waiting for opening day. Packs packed, equipment honed, lists checked, launch position.
Day One - got up at 1:45 a.m. had breakfastand arrived at the trailhead by 2:55 and headed back in. Dead calm, half moon. Walked past dark camps of snoring hunters at/near the trailhead. Headed back in and worked our way WAY back in on around to the far side of the basin and were in position an hour before sunrise. Shortcut guys did their usual job of pushing the elk around. Got our elk and field dressed using the Alaskan Method and hung the game bagged quarters in the evergreen trees --- nice sunny cool day. My elk fell to one shot from a 450 gr. TSX doing about 2450fps ---high in the shoulder, pass thru, exit hole about 1.25 inch, dropped without a single step "other" than collapsing down hill in half a roll.
Headed back to camp in rain/snow mix on already muddy trails now even muddier and slicker. Got into camp before dark (pretty early for us) and arranged for horse rental and sorted out our meat packing gear (panniers, lashing ropes, mannies, scale, accessory ropes, etc.) for the next day.
Day Two - stable overcast, cool, perfect for packing. Made the trip back in again with no rifles and lighter packs (that the horse carried, at least on the way in). The trails had absorbed the moisture a little bit over night and that was welcome.Arrived where we had the elk meat hung, ate lunch, packed up --- good horseflesh.... soundand of good disposition. Headed out withour cargo in towand in places used a 20' add on rope attached to the pack horses lead rope for theslick and sloppy ramps andchutes. One would hold back the horse while another got positioned up ahead, then once ready we'd release the horse and let'em have a run at it without anyone being "in the way."They caught onto this drill in a hurry and the tough spots came and went with little fanfare. As usual, ended up talkingwith the "hunt close to the road" folks as we approached the trailhead. Afterworking thru the trailhead parking/camping area and we lateralled overto our campand secured the meat. Took some time to imbibe a bit and enjoyed some beers and a good cigarwith cognac.
Checked the weather channel and sized up the incoming cold front. Kind of a catch 22 on these deals. Given they had already had one early, heavy snow we made the decision to leave early the next dayand do the butchering party down in Denver. A good night was had by all.
Day Three - Second early snowstorm of the season was right on schedule. Rapid accumulation rate. Packed up a wet camp
and left by 10 a.m. Spent next two hours helping "hunters" stuck in the middle of the road (2WD and no chains [:@]) as they were blocking the exit route forthe wholesector (one way out).
Once we got into the clear, we took the less travelled (longer, less known route) out of the areabecause it quickly drops in altitude, whereas the other more common exit route climbs even higher before working its way down.
Arrived in Steamboat Springs for our ritual "first meal back in civilization" --- Italian food this time.Things are kinda different down here after our time at the"end of the road"---55mphnow seems really fast. These roads are really smooth. Sidewalks are really nice and flat underfoot. Pressure hot water comes out of the little silver things on the sink. Nice. While it is always good to go, it is also always good to be back.
Arrived back in Denver by late evening.
Day Four - we all met at my house and did the butchering.There was lots of "hair picking" [:@]during the butchering session since the meat did not rind up while on the hunt (too cool, too damp --- too bad). We divide the meat upevenly regardless who shot the animal. As usual, it seems totake a lot of beer to butcher each elk. We packaged and divided all the meat.I laidmy share into thefreezer and then called it a day.
Got 'er done again.
1st Rifle Elk Season - NW Colorado
