Good area. Yes, pack in at least two miles. by: Osconda
If you take Williams Creek trail up to trail split, where you go right to Indian Creek, you will soon come upon a campground area right on the banks of Indian Creek. You could pitch a camp there and hike a short ways back to the trail split and continue on along Williams Creek trail. The area looks very promising after you cross a couple of small meadows get past a steep incline along the trail.
Take care with snow in this area. 2nd rifle is a week later than last year and you could easily get a foot of snow over night. Last year, the day we packed out, it snowed about a foot that night in the upper elevations. Be prepared.
Last year, 2nd rifle season, I went up along Indian Creek all the way to Palisades Meadow area and pitched a camp there on a knoll. We were on foot, and packing in 75 lbs on your back that distance and elev (10.5K) is too say the least, exhilerating/crazy. And we're from Texas too, so we didn't have any extra lung capacity.
We actually called in a huge bull but missed the shot due to heavy timber. Heard lots of bulls bugling in the distance (lower elevations?). That really surprised us. Didn't see any other hunters in the area, except a few passing through on horseback. Area is very rough to hunt in due to all the downed timber caused by bark beetle infestation. If you get off a trail you can not walk a straight line for more than 100ft. before you get to a fallen tree.
Sep 28, 2010
GMU 77 Williams Creek Area by: Anonymous
I'm a lowlander from PA who has hunted this GMU for 14-years.
First, I assume you have a place to stay. It's a long drive from Pagosa Springs each morning. Second, this GMU is moderately crowded; but you can use this to your advantage if prepared. Now for the details:
1. Get in shape! Push your exercise routine up a notch until your lungs burn (cardio) and you think you can't take another step. This will be your normal operating mode for the duration. You'll be hunting from 8k' to 12k' and its no picnic.
2. GPS with good basemap and learn to use Google Earth and Mapquest. A good set of topo and trail maps are critical since I assume you haven't scouted the area. Choose a few trails with drainages before you arrive and program into your GPS. There are trailheads throughout this area. Get to know them. Poison Park, Cimmaron, etc. Study the Sand Creek area. This is a huge flat that is accessable by vehicle and offers many trails into the wilderness. Your success will be completely tied to the weather. If snow hits the high meadows shortly before or during your stay (must be Elk pecker deep to move the herds), the herds will be moving and you must be there to meet them. If it's sunny, hot and dry, you'll have to search for them at the higher elevations and in the dark timber. The moon is full during the entire second rifle season which (with the 1st season pressure) will drive them nocturnal. If the snow came early and drove the herds down, they will continue to flow-in toward the south (private ranches) in smaller numbers. The big bulls will be the last to leave. The past few years have been very hot with crunching leaves and daily temps in the 60s-70s.
3. The hunters fall into two groups: those who have paid for a guide and will spike camp 5-10 miles into the wilderness, and those that rise with the sun each morning and never get more than 1/2 mile from a road. To be successful you must occupy the middle ground between these two groups.
4. If you have the experience and equipment, the most effective method is to hike in 2-4 miles, find fresh sign, do an evening hunt, stay the night and do the morning hunt, return to your base camp(lodge) re-provision and begin again on a new trail. Keep in mind, what you shoot must be packed-out so choose your kill area carefully. These aren't Texas Whitetails! Know where the private ground is and stay clear.
5. If you arrive a day or two before your season begins, ask the departing hunters where they saw animals. This will narrow your scouting. If you don't find fresh sign, you will have a difficult time havesting your trophy. Know your poop!
