West Elk Wilderness (CO)

[Slugg]

Hey no worries, thanks for looking into it. I’m hoping to avoid crowds so I’ll take the lack of info on the apps as a positive. I’m flying into Denver in a few days with my wife and then driving to Crested Butte to stay with a friend of ours for the week. We plan to do a day hike over to Aspen through Maroon Bells as a group but then I’ll go off by myself for some time in West Elk. I’m planning to spend 3 full days/2 nights but could tack on another night if needed. I will have a Garmin to communicate with my wife for pickup but thanks for the note on cell service.

The fact that I could find very little information on West Elk, seems like I won’t encounter many people. That, combined with its massive size (200 miles of trail), is what drove me to decide to take my BP trip there instead of Maroon-Bells/Snowmass or the Raggeds.

[colorado_rob]

Hey no worries, thanks for looking into it. I’m hoping to avoid crowds so I’ll take the lack of info on the apps as a positive. I’m flying into Denver in a few days with my wife and then driving to Crested Butte to stay with a friend of ours for the week. We plan to do a day hike over to Aspen through Maroon Bells as a group but then I’ll go off by myself for some time in West Elk. I’m planning to spend 3 full days/2 nights but could tack on another night if needed. I will have a Garmin to communicate with my wife for pickup but thanks for the note on cell service.

The fact that I could find very little information on West Elk, seems like I won’t encounter many people. That, combined with its massive size (200 miles of trail), is what drove me to decide to take my BP trip there instead of Maroon-Bells/Snowmass or the Raggeds.

Yep, when I did a little research this morning, I read in a couple places that the West Elk wilderness was the LEAST visited wilderness in the state. I'm going to make it a point to get into there next summer. Heading to the Wind River High route in WY next week, then off to the east for a long bike ride then the good old AT.

Love that hike from Crusty Butt, er, Crested Butte, to Aspen. Gorgeous. I'd recommend the 4-pass loop but of course it's a zoo these days.

BTW, two years in a row I've led a CO mountain club trip on the "5-pass loop" down near lake city. Just as pretty as the 4-pass, but almost no people. Here's a Caltopo link:

https://caltopo.com/m/7QN0

Maybe next visit check that one out. It's also called the "Tour de Horns" as it circles around Wetterhorn and Matterhorn peaks. Only 21 miles or so, but it's a good 3-day hike. Pic attached from one evening at camp.20210717_201725a.jpg

[Bluegrass]

I'd recommend the 4-pass loop but of course it's a zoo these days.

Agreed about the four pass loop. My wife and I did the loop a couple of weeks ago during the week and it was a virtual traffic jam. Last weekend I did a northern loop near it, and it was almost as good and far fewer people.
We have a house up in Glenwood Springs now. I had not even heard of the West Elk Wilderness until this thread. I might try to make a trip down there before the end of the season. Definitely post the conditions when you get done!