Unit 53 Horse trails

bogart · Jun 27, 2020

I will be going to unit 53 for an archery elk hunt. I am considering takes my 4 mules on this hunt. I was curious if anyone had and experience riding and camping in this unit. I'd like to know if there is plenty of grass for the mules and how plentiful water is.

BUGLEnmIN · Jun 27, 2020

Not to much experience in 53 my friend. I do know there is some good country for them . My past experience has led me to make the decision to never leave home on an elk hunt without my horses! Good luck

nmbighorn · Jun 27, 2020

Midnight meadows has tons of grass and a few creeks, where do you plan on hunting.

cosmic_cowboy · Jun 27, 2020

53 is a big unit... depends on where you plan on hunting.

bogart · Jun 28, 2020

Planned on starting around Lobo Peak and Lobo creek

cosmic_cowboy · Jun 28, 2020

bogart said:
Planned on starting around Lobo Peak and Lobo creek

Bring your Mules then. Access is San Cristobal canyon from the west side, Yerba canyon from the south. Lobo creek is all ptivate at the bottom (West) can't get in that way. Will be grass and water in SC canyon, haven't been up it in a while but I bet the dead fall hasn't been cleared so you might have to bushwack around some down trees. At the top is Cow Lake off the north side of Lobo. You can also access from Columbine canyon on the north side this trail is usually kept up and in good shape. GL
Jack

Gator · Jul 1, 2020

Cosmic Cowboy is giving ya some straight up good stuff.

bogart · Jul 4, 2020

Thanks for the info! I will post an update after my hunt.

BUGLEnmIN · Jul 5, 2020

Was up there since Thursday. Mountains need moisture badly ! Thankfully all the river valleys were lush and full of green pasture ! Saw tons of super fat elk!

cosmic_cowboy · Jul 5, 2020

BUGLEnmIN said:
Was up there since Thursday. Mountains need moisture badly ! Thankfully all the river valleys were lush and full of green pasture ! Saw tons of super fat elk! View attachment 9532

See any baby Elk ? I have seen several groups of Cows and not one fawn. Think the bears and coyotes put on a few pounds.

BUGLEnmIN · Jul 5, 2020

Mr Cosmic! I did see several calves sir, though unfortunately I saw a great number of cows calveless! I believe you are correct , my top suspect is the bears. I'm considering applying there next year. I will definitely be taking a hit in the big bull department if I was to draw, but it's the type of country a man and his pack string need to be in at least once in his life time.

Hntnbux · Jul 29, 2020

Cosmic Cowboy, I sent you a conversation message through this forum. Did you get a chance to read it yet?

cosmic_cowboy · Jul 29, 2020

Hntnbux said:
Cosmic Cowboy, I sent you a conversation message through this forum. Did you get a chance to read it yet?

Yep sent a reply.

Kdgomez · Oct 12, 2020

bogart said:
I will be going to unit 53 for an archery elk hunt. I am considering takes my 4 mules on this hunt. I was curious if anyone had and experience riding and camping in this unit. I'd like to know if there is plenty of grass for the mules and how plentiful water is.

Hey Bogart, how was your elk hunt? We’re headed up Friday for rifle beginning Saturday. Thought about hanging out on Lobo, as we were scouting. Any recommendations?