Car camping north of Trapper's Lake? [Flattops]

[jibler]

reviewing google earth -- seems like an above average amount of cabins and private property along that Road 155 leading to Trapper Lake?

plan is get in - hike up to Trapper Peak and then car camp - wake up and run over to little marvin or something?

but seemingly there's got to be some open spots in the woods north of lake right ?


new backup plan is to just plunk my crap down among that giant tree blow down near the trailhead parking lot?

i'm imagining its going to be relatively quiet all around anyway right?


Also - while asking -- hunting season hasn't really picked up yet right??





only accessed flattops one other time from stillwater reservoir - and spent the night on the flattops under glorious full moon!!

[Cygnus X1]

Archery deer and elk season is open until 9/23. Muzzleloader deer and elk opens Saturday (9/8) and goes through the 16th.

[jibler]

[quote="Cygnus X1" Muzzleloader deer and elk opens Saturday (9/8) and goes through the 16th.[/quote]


I guess i'm not so worried about the archery dudes


do you know what the story is with Muzzleloaders?

I'm imagining like 18th century infantry type weapon?

yet google review makes it looks like any other gun?

[Cygnus X1]

Modern muzzleloaders are much improved from what you are imagining. They still must be loaded by ramming powder and sabots down the muzzle just like always but they have better manufacturing tolerances, powders, projectiles, and ignition (primers) these days which all goes to improved accuracy and range. Most hunters will try to get within 100 yards or so of the deer or elk but they can be effective beyond 100 yards.

[jibler]

Modern muzzleloaders are much improved from what you are imagining. They still must be loaded by ramming powder and sabots down the muzzle just like always but they have better manufacturing tolerances, powders, projectiles, and ignition (primers) these days which all goes to improved accuracy and range. Most hunters will try to get within 100 yards or so of the deer or elk but they can be effective beyond 100 yards.

either way - time to break out some Broncos gear i guess!!

Thanks.

[LURE]

Don't be so worried about the muzzleloaders either.

Yeah they look like modern rifles, but operate like old fashioned muzzleloaders essentially. Ram that rod yo.

Hunters are out there enjoying the wilderness just like anyone else camping. There is little to fear. Their goal is generally to not be seen. Which, seems like most hikers dreams these days when it come to other peeps.

[Scott P]

There are campsites around the Mirror Lake Trailhead which isn't that far from Trappers Lake.

Camping in the campgrounds really isn't that bad either.

[jibler]

one last question -- maybe I just should trust mapquest

but they're telling me the 53 mile leg of journey from Yampa over Dunkley Pass on hwy 8 will take like 2.5 hrs??

overall this seems pretty straightforward travelwise - that's got to be some kind of miscalculation right?


i may just head back up this Dunkley pass if I must to find the right car camp spot.

thanks.

[Scott P]

It shouldn't take that long unless you are stuck behind a bunch of RVs or something. I can make it in between 1.5 and 2 hours from Craig (usually closer to the 1.5) over Ripple Creek Pass and the route from Yampa is less distance.

The road is good but can be washboarded.

[jibler]

might as well toss these questions up to the People


now seeing a few options I didn't see before -- including just not banging in and trying to take Trapper Peak on day one (which was original plan for some reason)

now i'm pondering taking my time along the Dunkley/Ripple Creek Passes (didn't realize there's one than one pass along the way!)


taking a hard look at Pyramid Peak->Dunkley Flattops camping

or

Pagoda Peak->nearby camping

?


anyone mess around much north of these passes ? or been to pyramid peak?

I just hope there are a bunch of people shooting guns at night at either of those areas

[Scott P]

I know the area very well since I live in the vicinity.

Are you looking into day hikes only?

Perhaps the best and most scenic route in all of the Flat Tops starts near Ripple Creek Pass, loops over the Lost Lakes Peaks, over Devils Causeway, and returns via Lost Lakes. This takes at least 2 days though.

As far as Pyramid and Pagoda go, both have car camping near the trailheads. Both are nice peaks, but if you only have time to do one, Pyramid is a little better. This is because ATVs and cattle use the approach trail to Pagoda. Both are nice peaks though.

People shouldn't be shooting guns at night in the area.

[jibler]

Are you looking into day hikes only?
.

yeah I backpacked onto the Tops in 2015 and so that feels like a been-there-done that


even though I do see tons of other loop options and cool backcountry stuff to do.

but the Big Target is likely Trapper Peak - now on sunday. I really want to top one of those mini-mountains up on the plateau.

I had planned on hitting Shingle Peak that last time but it was too far out and I was just playing around on the giant "african savanna" area in the middle of the biggest flat part



but now it does seem there are more option than i thought.

what about going up towards Pyramid Peak but then banking hard towards those larger flattops? might be difficult to ascend? that looks like great access from Sheriff Reservoir !