There is road access there, but to get as close as possible to the headwaters you are looking at some hiking through the South San Juan Wilderness.Lake Fork is another good spot to try your luck, as it is designated Wild Trout waters from the headwaters all the way to Rock Lake/Big Lake. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. … Access to the wilderness is mainly from the north via … This area offers a varied terrain from the bare peaks along the Continental Divide, to gently rolling subalpine plateaus of spruce forests and … Make sure you know where you are and where nearby private property boundary lines are in order to maintain a good relationship with the property owners in the area. Created on December 22, 1980, when President Carter signed Public Law 96-560, the 127,721-acre South San Juan Wilderness is a geographically remote and primal territory. Start your journey on South Zapata Trail, which winds for 5 miles until it reaches the stunning basin of South Zapata Lake, where you can set up camp for the night. Hidden away in the southernmost reaches of Colorado where ite lies nestled in the eastern slopes of the San Juan mountains is a stretch of water that is every fly fisherman’s dream-come-true: the Conejos River. Conejos Peak Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. Whether you are in the area for a day or a week, we are here to help you get out and experience the wild outdoors. The greatest number of insect and terrestrial populations are at their highest levels of the year, and the trout are biting at anything that looks remotely like food. It's known as Co Trout Fishing the Beautiful South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado August 2020 By Rex McMahon August 18, 2020 Tips and Tactiics 0 Comments OK, so the government authorities have still deemed the beach to be one of the most dangerous places in the world for COVID – 19. There are a few area fly shops that publish Conejost River fishing reports. The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses the southeastern extent of the San Juan Mountain Range, including a segment of the Continental Divide. Fly Fishing the Conejos River in Colorado (coverage begins @ 10:00). South San Juan Wilderness Specific Regulations. Bar W Outfitters Colorado Licensed Outfitters providing guided elk and deer hunting, guided fly fishing, and wilderness pack trips for the adventurous sightseer, artist, or photographer in southern Colorado's Rio Grande National Forest and South San Juan Wilderness. The river snakes back and forth across the borders of the San South San Juan Wilderness is a reserve in Colorado and has an elevation of 11,404 feet. Articles: Ghost Grizzlies or if unavailable see this text version Reintroduction of Grizzlies to CO? Situated in the south east corner of the wilderness, this 22.2 mile hike in the Conejos Peak (pronounced coe-NAY-hoes) area offers a mix of wooded valleys, alpine meadows and huge herd of elk. We can take you on a high country camping trip or guide you on the big game hunt that you have been planning for years. Al of this is to ensure the safety of the riders while on the trail to camp. There were four guys there, three of whom were fishing. Stop for a quick break, but plan to keep hiking, as the best fishing lies another three miles upstream in the vast stretches of the Second, Third, and Fourth meadows in the South San Juan Wilderness Area. Always verify you are not fishing in one of the restricted zones for regulations before you start casting. The South San Juan wilderness is located in southern Colorado near the towns of Pagosa Springs, South Fork, and Antonito. The headwaters start up above the Platoro Reservoir, which is accessible via USFS Road 250N from Highway 17. The fly fishing season was great, the hunting was wonderful, the scenery is still beautiful and the camaraderie was spectacular! Sat, Jul 25, 2009, 6:00 AM: Big Mountains in the Summertime!This will be a 5-day, 4-night backpacking trip (plus 2 travel days) in the scenic South San Juan Wilderness in SW Colorado. Thank you to all our hunters & fishermen, as well as our great staff and horses. If you are a fly fisherman, the South San Juan offers a tremendous opportunity for the fly-fishing purist. The South San Juan Wilderness offers some of the best backpacking experience in Colorado, with more than 180 miles of established trails, including a 42-mile section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. Camping, campfires, and restraining or grazing of recreational livestock are NOT permitted within 200 feet of Bear Lake, Blue Lake, Green Lake, and Red Lake. The location is primitive — be prepared with plenty of food and water — but, the trade-off … Rainbow Trout Outfitters is an equal opportunity service provider and employer and operates under a special use permit from the USDA Forest Service. Blue Lake Loop, South San Juan Wilderness, CO. Hunting & Fishing in the South San Juan Wilderness of Colorado, License #3160, Unit #81. The South San Juan Wilderness encompasses the southeastern extent of the San Juan Mountain Range, including a segment of the Continental Divide. The trail is a fairly gentle walk that offers scenic vistas of the Conejos Valley and gives access to several small fishing lakes. Spring fishing is decent so long as you keep to the tailwaters, and fall is the best season for bigger catches since the approach of winter draws the grandaddy fish out from the depths to feed. South San Juan Wilderness, CO 1/11 Tucked deep within a glacial bowl beneath two rugged 13,000-foot peaks, Crater Lake is one of the more accessible subalpine lakes in the Southern San Juans. The South San Juan Wilderness is … If you are a fan of winter fishing, most experts recommend sticking to waters below the dam, and to try to fish on warmer days since the winter weather can be brutal. One such hidden gem is (yet another) Crater Lake, tucked away in the South San Juan Wilderness - an area labeled by many as "Colorado's wildest corner". That was a neat spot to have lunch. There is a reason the last known grizzly bear to live in Colorado called the South San Juan Wilderness … The Conejos offers great fishing and beautiful landscapes and vistas, but it is very important to respect private property when fishing in the area, as irresponsible anglers who trespass can cause access via private land and easements to disappear over time due to poor choices. Located in Rio Grande and San Juan National Forests. I have a trip coming up the week of August 19th, my current plan is to hike the Elk Creek/Valle Victoria loop in the South San Juan Wilderness. Located approximately 50 miles southwest of Alamosa, CO and 30 miles north of Chama, NM, we are in the heart of the Rio Grande National Forest and the South San Juan Wilderness. Make sure you are familiar with the following regulations along the Conejos before setting out for your day of fishing:Downstream Menkhaven Ranch through Aspen Glade Campground, and Bear Creek subdivision, HEBO Corp. and Douglas properties:- Artificial flies only- Bag and possession is two trout, 16" or longerPlatoro Lower Bridge to South Fork Confluence:- Artificial flies and lures only- Bag and possession is two trout, 16" or longerLake Fork to Rock Lake:- Artificial flies and lures only- All cutthroats must be returned to the water immediatelyOutside of these areas, all regular Colorado Division of Wildlife standard fishing regulations apply. Situated south of Platoro Reservoir, this 17.7 mile hike offers a mix of wooded valleys, alpine meadows and a an exhilerating stretch of the Continental Divide Trail. South San Juan Wilderness from Mapcarta, the free map. The last known grizzly bear in Colorado was killed in the wilderness in 1979. __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"62516":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default Palette","value":{"colors":{"62516":{"val":"var(--tcb-skin-color-0)"}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Conejos River in Colorado, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing Cochetopa Creek in Colorado, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Florida River in Colorado, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Crystal River in Colorado, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing South Boulder Creek in Colorado, DIY Guide to Fly Fishing the Elk River in Colorado. Summers is hands down the very best season to fish the Conejos. Neighboring towns: Pagosa Springs, Southfork, Del Norte, Monte Vista, Summitville, Platoro, Chromo (Choma, New Mexico) Many call the South San Juan Wilderness Colorado's wildest corner. The fishing: well, the Blanco, San Juan and Conejos Rivers all … This short trail is mainly used to get to the Middle Fork Conejos Trail, North Fork Conejos Trail, and El Rito Azul Trail - which in turn provide access to the Continental Divide Trail - in the A 4-wt fly rod with floating line is perfect for fishing dry flies, nymphs and small streamers on the Conejos River. Summer cabins are popular in the region as well, and securing a rental is generally no problem provided you book sufficiently far enough in advance. Our location presents a unique opportunity to fish in an area that escapes the crowded areas that come with summer, and offers a challenge to fisherman to experience Elk Creek and its variety of fishing for … The tarn possesses a unique teal hue and is home to some good-sized native cutthroat, which can be easily seen feeding in the shallow, log-choked outlet. The closest airport is the San Luis Regional, and flights in and out year round are fairly reasonable, though summertime tends to see an increase in both price and traffic. Welcome to Fish Creek Outfitters, where your adventure in the beautiful San Juan Wilderness begins! The wilderness boundary extends from south of Hwy 160 to just north of Hwy 17. A 4 day backpacking adventure into Colorado's South San Juan Wilderness. Conejos River. Originally designated as wilderness by Congress in 1980, it is a component of the National Wilderness … This post is also available in: EnglishFrançaisDeutsch日本語Located east of Pagosa Springs, the South San Juan Wilderness Area is administered by the San Juan National Forest. Fished Elk Creek, David pulled in one brook trout. Rainbow Trout Outfitters is proud to offer some of the premier hunting and fishing opportunities in the southern Colorado Rocky Mountains. USGS Topo maps link: Chromo Mountain Chama Peak Archuleta Creek… The hatches for the Conejos are as follows by season:Winter/Spring: Midges, MayfliesSummer: Stoneflies, Mayflies, Caddis, Terrestrials, MidgesFall: Midges, Mayflies, CaddisThe following flies come highly recommended for the Conejos River: - Beadhead Hares Ear- Mercury Baetis- Beadhead Rubber Leg Hares Ear- Blue Wing Olive- Stimulator- Parachute Blue Wing Olive- Chaos Hopper- Mercury Midge- Elk Hair Caddis- Rainbow Warrior- Beadhead Caddis LarvaFor midges, stick to size #16-#24, mayflies should be #16-#24 or #14-#20, caddis are best in #10-#20, and stoneflies are effective anywhere from #6-#18 depending on the fly. Best trails in South San Juan Wilderness, Colorado | AllTrails The South San Juan Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area located in the San Juan National Forest, east of Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado. Thirty-two lakes, most of them formed by glacial activity, hold much of the area’s moisture and drain into turbulent creeks. Many fishing easements have also been added to private land along the Conejos, which has proven a major boon for both anglers and the owners and renters of summer cabins. You can find the trails along USFS Road 250. This was the last documented grizzly in Colorado. Our location presents a unique opportunity to fish in an area that escapes the crowded areas that come with summer, and offers a challenge to fisherman to experience Elk Creek and its variety of fishing for rainbows, browns, and cutthroats. The Conejos River is a 92 mile long tributary of the Rio Grande River, located in south-central Colorado. View the DIY Fly Fishing Web Map to get turn-by-turn directions to the access points shown on the map above. The origin of the name of the river is unknown, though why anyone would name it “Rabbit River” (translation) remains a mystery. The Conejos, San Juan, and Blanco Rivers have their headwaters here. Forest-wide Regulations. West of Alamosa, this 93-mile tributary of the Rio Grande offers solitude and incredible fly-fishing in the San Juan Mountains. Saturday we took 25 north turned right at Walsenburg, 160 to Alamosa, 285 south to Antonio and 17 west into the Rio Grande Forest and the South San Juan Wilderness. Covid summer has made recreation around Santa Fe quite popular at basically all times, so I decided to explore the South San Juans instead a … We are proud to offer drop camps through our outfit to some of the most beautiful places to fish in the Rio Grande National Forest of the South San Juan Wilderness. Terrestrials are recommended in sizes #14-#18. We are proud to offer drop camps through our outfit to some of the most beautiful places to fish in the Rio Grande National Forest of the South San Juan Wilderness. South San Juan Wilderness – Aug. 2020: Trip Report. I talked to the one guy not fishing for a few minutes, then set my stuff down and took a lunch break. These meadows offer six magnificent river miles of winding water, and hold the greatest numbers of large trout in the upper watershed. A look at four of the seven highest peaks in the range, on the Continental Divide Interesting Recent History/Facts The last grizzly bear sighting in Colorado was within the South San Juan wilderness in 1979 (killed during a dramatic attack involving self-defense with arrow in hand), and some speculate that grizzlies may still roam the area. From a roadside trailhead in a switchback above the Conejos River Valley (a fly fisherman’s paradise), this hike begins with a 0.9-mile warm-up on the dirt road before bearing left onto more rugged doubletrack through a bushy meadow. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard. Conejos River Headwaters Backpacking Loop, South San Juan Wilderness Area. What is completely devoid of mystery is that this southern Colorado river is prime fly fishing territory filled with nearly every variety of trout, and the scenery is gorgeous regardless of what season you choose to visit. Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Colorado. Be careful past South Fork though, as much of the land belongs to the Menkhaven Ranch and is posted private property. While we specialize in drop camps, we also offer … Followed 250 along a fairly bad road for 3 hours … The river snakes back and forth across the borders of the San Juan National Forest and the South San Juan Wilderness Area, making them slightly less accessible but still open to the public. A better question to ask might be where can’t you fish along the Conejos. After I ate I grabbed some pictures and then hit the trail again. In terms of accommodations, there are several ranch resorts in the area that cater specifically to anglers looking to fish the many trout filled waters of Colorado, and many of them are located quite close by the to the Conejos, too. The trailhead for Crater Lake is a fair distance off any major highway - roughly 18 miles off of US Highway 160 - in close proximity to relatively unknown Elwood Pass (Forest Road 380). Each fisherman will be asked to participate in a short orientation on riding and horsemanship. Some believe that it is still home to a few grizzlies, but … The South San Juan Wilderness lies on the Rio Grande National Forest near Platoro and Antonito Colorado. The weight limit for the riders is 240lbs. A few to check out are listed below. South San Juan Wilderness Area. Saddle Creek is a fly-fishing only area, so if you are looking to work on your technique there are few better places in the state to get practice. Copyright 2020 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Government information and links are at the bottom of this page. 1. Last but not least, don’t forget to check out vacation rentals in the area, as you will often find hidden gems where you can stay in between trips to the river that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. FISHING THE ELK CREEK AND BEYOND. On September 23, 1979 a sow grizzly was killed near Blue Lake by a bow hunter. Rainbow Trout Outfitters. Trout Fishing the San Juan Wilderness becomes a combination of hiking, fishing, camping and relaxing under the stars far from the light pollution of the big city. We had an incredible 2019 fishing & hunting season. Learn more about the Elk Creek and surrounding area at the official US Forest Service website. Numerous fishing access points and easements along the way provide access to some of the finest trout fishing to be had in Colorado. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. 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