View Full Version : I want to see a moose.
I'm a terrible Colorado native.
I've never seen a live moose (or a bear now that I'm thinking about it).
I know they are up around the Tabernash/Fraiser/Winter Park/Granby area. We're going to be up there in the coming weeks. Does anyone have a kid/winter friendly hike that may yield results?
KevDen2005
12-28-2017, 22:05
I literally saw 12 moose during Elk season around Granby.
I came within about 20 feet to one by accident several years ago in Golden Gate State Park a few years ago. Hiking along with my buddy just shooting the crap with each other and all of a sudden we were face to face with two of them grazing.
Zundfolge
12-28-2017, 22:07
There's one at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo down here in The Springs.
theGinsue
12-28-2017, 22:12
During second season (mid to late October), there were two mature and one young bull moose hanging in/around Willow Park just SW of Del Norte Peak, South of South Fork, CO.
I literally saw 12 moose during Elk season around Granby.
I came within about 20 feet to one by accident several years ago in Golden Gate State Park a few years ago. Hiking along with my buddy just shooting the crap with each other and all of a sudden we were face to face with two of them grazing.
My hunting guys went Elk hunting up there this year and saw moose instead of elk.
There's one at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo down here in The Springs.
Thanks, but I want to see one in the wild. It's just not the same at the zoo.
buffalobo
12-28-2017, 22:16
Not sure how accessible it will be but we used to regularly see Moose and Elk at Denver Creek campgrounds off Hwy 125 toward Rand.
During second season (mid to late October), there were two mature and one young bull moose hanging in/around Willow Park just SW of Del Norte Peak, South of South Fork, CO.
While that is not close to where we'll be, it is interesting to know that they are that far South.
I'll be heading up to Estes Park soon as well, but my goal is to see a moose as a family, and not just on my dash cam, like the Big Horn sheep from the other day.
KevDen2005
12-28-2017, 22:29
My hunting guys went Elk hunting up there this year and saw moose instead of elk.
Thanks, but I want to see one in the wild. It's just not the same at the zoo.
Oh for sure, if it was Moose season I would have done very well....didn't see a single elk....
Actually I saw a whole heard of Elk standing on the damn roadway near Winter Park on my way home.
OtterbatHellcat
12-28-2017, 22:49
NSFW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY_Oex-Zk3c
eta...nsfw.
Cow and calk in the old back yard. Two big racks and three cow total. Never saw a bear in the daylight.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1364/13700547/24603363/413716898.jpg
This kitty kat was on the back of the property.
http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL594/13497691/24170114/411038535.jpg
Edit: Oops, wrong member.
I can name a few places but they are time dependent.
Ask the locals when you are there (Frazier Ace Hardware or the Safeway would be good starting points) as they will know where they are this week.
Also as you come off the pass after the last horseshoe is a place called Robbers Roost, it's a couple of miles before you get to Mary Jane. In the summer we've seen lots of moose just past the roost on the right hand side of the road in the marshy areas.
Ask the locals when you are there (Frazier Ace Hardware or the Safeway would be good starting points) as they will know where they are this week.
Funny, most of our locals won't give specifics.
Great-Kazoo
12-28-2017, 23:26
You wander round estes you will see a few. They are real tall in person and kind of surly if you get too close, disturbing their space. We came out after dinner to walk in to a pair. Like they were laying down next to our truck close. Went back in for a few beverages, they finally wandered off. It's pone of those #$%^&* wish i had a camera moments. I believe like other animals, if you look for them they're no where to be found.
Ask the locals when you are there (Frazier Ace Hardware or the Safeway would be good starting points) as they will know where they are this week.
Also as you come off the pass after the last horseshoe is a place called Robbers Roost, it's a couple of miles before you get to Mary Jane. In the summer we've seen lots of moose just past the roost on the right hand side of the road in the marshy areas.
I've seen the Robbers Roost sign a bunch of times and always wondered what it was. There are some very cool, very helpful neighbors up there that I can ask. If I can remember how to find who owns certain property, I'll probably call them before I even go and make some plans ahead of time.
Great-Kazoo
12-28-2017, 23:51
I've seen the Robbers Roost sign a bunch of times and always wondered what it was. There are some very cool, very helpful neighbors up there that I can ask. If I can remember how to find who owns certain property, I'll probably call them before I even go and make some plans ahead of time.
Go up mid week take some binos,- pack a lunch and some warm clothing. You'll will see them if you're patient
Go up mid week take some binos,- pack a lunch and some warm clothing. You'll will see them if you're patient
Hmmm, that's slightly different than my plan to go up New Year's Eve and launch bottle rockets into the woods the whole time....
;)
Three places we have always had good luck finding moose:
Long Draw Reservoir
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (south of Walden)
West entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park along the Colorado River
We have never gone to any of these places and not seen a moose. It often takes hours of walking or driving but I call the line between these three places "the moose super highway."
Good luck.
newracer
12-29-2017, 00:45
Three places we have always had good luck finding moose:
Long Draw Reservoir
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (south of Walden)
West entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park along the Colorado River
We have never gone to any of these places and not seen a moose. It often takes hours of walking or driving but I call the line between these three places "the moose super highway."
Good luck.
I was going to post those places as well. I'd also add Laramie River Road. One evening we saw at least 20 in various spots along the road to Long Draw.
Only place I've seen bear in daylight was Smokey Mountain National Park in Tennessee back in the 1970's. If you want to see bear or see what bears will do, go camping and leave a large pile of smelly garbage in the woods.
Three places we have always had good luck finding moose:
Long Draw Reservoir
Arapaho National Wildlife Refuge (south of Walden)
West entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park along the Colorado River
We have never gone to any of these places and not seen a moose. It often takes hours of walking or driving but I call the line between these three places "the moose super highway."
Good luck.
We hunt the GMU's around Waldon, always see Moose in that area. East around Johnny Moore at times.
Closest I've been to one was up on Bull Mountain near Gould as I recall. A cow and calf passed within 50 yds in the thick timber I was working.
Probably seen more near Hwy 14 just tooling around the Gould - Waldon area than anything else.
crashdown
12-29-2017, 01:25
7297372974I had to login to post a picture of one I saw last week, here ya go.
Congrats on the moose!
I'm not actively trying to find a bear unless I'm hunting. I missed one by 20 minutes this year during elk season.
GilpinGuy
12-29-2017, 04:25
We see moose in our neighborhood almost weekly. We've had them in the yard or driveway many times. There are lots in the Ned area also.
I had a close encounter with a bull/cow pair during muzzie season on Fairburn Mountain. I was plastered against a tree and they moseyed on by, maybe 20 yards away. Very cool.
kidicarus13
12-29-2017, 06:08
Grand Lake- Near Grand Lake Cemetery off of Trail Ridge Rd.
There are moose in the Bobtail Mine valley on the other side of Jones Pass, probably inaccessible now though. I was about 20 feet from one once and another time I was about 75 feet from one and got the evil eye so I decided I was done hiking that particular trail that day.
Bailey Guns
12-29-2017, 07:29
There were lots around Bailey even before I left. CR 43 towards KZ ranch (on the way to the shooting area up there) is a popular spot.
Also, up CR 60 out of Grant (the road that crosses over to the Idaho Springs area). And Kenosha Pass.
I got a call one evening about a moose stuck in a fence along US 285 at Shaffer's Crossing way back in like 92 or so. I figured some tourist didn't know the difference between a deer and a moose because I'd never heard of anyone seeing one in that area. Rounded the corner and saw cars parked all alongside the hwy. And, to my surprise, there was a moose off the left side of the road inside a cow pasture. He wasn't "caught" in a fence...he could've easily stepped over it. Now they're seen almost daily up in that area between Conifer and Bailey and beyond.
YMCA of the Rockies/Snow Mountain Ranch in Granby. I've seen them walking around the cross country ski trails and parking lots there.
72975
See them often south of Hot Sulphur. Think the area is Church Park or maybe Church Ranch. My daughter has also seen some up at Kenosha pass.
I've seen one in Estes, near RMNP (we were on our way in to the park and before even getting to the entrance saw one). And seen several up near Red Feather Lakes (NW of Ft. Collins). They're starting to be seen at lower and lower altitudes these days. I've heard of people seeing them in Evergreen/Conifer area, and for the life of me can never remember seeing moose in Evergreen in the 29 years I lived there.
Martinjmpr
12-29-2017, 10:05
2 1/2 years ago the wife and I were scouting for campsites in her Jeep and we saw a cow moose right next to that little pond that's just East of US 285 at Kenosha Pass. That is the farthest South I've ever personally seen a moose, although I did hear the reports about them being at South Fork earlier this year!
I've also seen them at some of the little turnouts along the Peak-to-Peak highway between Nederland and Estes Park
I don't think I've been to Rocky Mountain National Park in the last few years and NOT seen moose, usually on the West side in the big meadows.
You may not even have to leave the metro area - there have been moose sighted at Chatfield Reservoir, although I think the odds of finding them are probably slim this time of year.
Remember that moose, unlike elk, are solitary creatures. You might see a cow and a bull together, or you might see a cow and one or two calves, but it's not common to see more than that (having said that, in 2016 we camped at State Forest State Park near Cameron Pass and right there at the pass we saw 4 big bull moose just hanging around at the little parking area for Cameron Pass. This was in early July.)
Moose like water, particularly standing water so if you can find a big meadow that has a slow moving creek or some beaver dams in them, that's where they like to hang out.
And don't get too close. I haven't checked the stats but I'll bet moose kill or seriously injure more people each year in North America than bears do.
And don't get too close. I haven't checked the stats but I'll bet moose kill or seriously injure more people each year in North America than bears do.
Yes, they can be quite aggressive. One of the DOW guys I have been shooting with has said they're getting to be among the most dangerous 4-legged animals in Colorado- and idiots continue to try to get close to them for better pics (or selfies- idiots). Also be wary while driving, Alaska cites Moose-Car collisions as the most deadly animal collision in the state- and the next deadly isn't even close!
hollohas
12-29-2017, 11:07
We see moose every year while hunting North of Vail. There are a bunch of marsh areas there that they love.
One particularly jerky young bull moose came at me and a buddy while we were quartering a cow elk a few years ago.
We were in a meadow elbow deep in the elk when the young bull and a couple cow moose went walking by 30'ish yards to our side right inside the tree line. Their current path wasn't going to to make them cross us but the bull took a 90deg turn, lowered his head and came towards us. Not running, but trying to show off for the cows I'm sure. We had no trees to get to and started yelling at him. The yelling wasn't changing his mind so I fired a shot from my pistol in the dirt. That didn't change his mind either. Two more shots in the dirt, nope, he kept on walking towards us.
He ended up stopping about 15ft from us. He lowered his head a bit more and started grunting. We kept yelling while I got ready to shoot him if he decided to come at us. After a few seconds he decided he had showed off enough, turned and walked back towards the cows that hadn't bothered to stick around to watch.
I don't like moose.
Laramie river road up near Wyoming. Also deadman near red feather. Cameron pass on hwy 14. All packed full of moose.
kawiracer14
12-29-2017, 13:49
I saw them in the front yard last year in Fraser - up in Meadow Ridge.
Will likely be too many people around this weekend up there though.
I see them all the time along Peak to Peak highway between Ward and Allenspark. Thanksgiving weekend was the last time, mother and two young right on the side of the road just about a mile or so south of where Peak to Peak meets 7.
Right on this curve..
https://www.google.com/maps/@40.1511888,-105.4718607,268m/data=!3m1!1e3?hl=en&authuser=0
Another guaranteed place to seem them is at the bottom of Cameron Pass on the Walden side.
I can see you now Irving.....
NeedMoreAmmo
12-30-2017, 22:29
They are becoming prolific here. Rawah Wilderness has a bunch, also Guanella Pass, and La Garita Wilderness (heavy beetle kill area though). I imagine they are in quite a few other areas as well.
A big cow and two young calves sauntered through the yard today so I followed them up the canyon a ways. They were munching on aspen and mountain maple.
Crappy cell phone pic:
73023
https://www.ar-15.co/attachment.php?attachmentid=73023&d=1515014791
I'm a terrible Colorado native.
I've never seen a live moose (or a bear now that I'm thinking about it).
I know they are up around the Tabernash/Fraiser/Winter Park/Granby area. We're going to be up there in the coming weeks. Does anyone have a kid/winter friendly hike that may yield results?
Brainard Lake, near Ward. The gate is closed to cars this time of year but the road is good on a bike or skis depending on snow depth.
Brainard Lake, near Ward. The gate is closed to cars this time of year but the road is good on a bike or skis depending on snow depth.
This winter the entire length of the Brainard Lake road from Ward is closed due to construction. Apparently the road is being realigned.
This winter the entire length of the Brainard Lake road from Ward is closed due to construction. Apparently the road is being realigned.
-oops, sorry about that. Truth be told, that road needed a little attention.
crashdown
01-05-2018, 15:33
73044Here is a 4.5 year old female moose in her natural habitat:
73044Here is a 4.5 year old female moose in her natural habitat:
Have you gotten a character part in the show yet?
I hear those folks are worth a few bucks now.
GilpinGuy
01-05-2018, 18:09
73044Here is a 4.5 year old female moose in her natural habitat:
This is my second favorite way to view moose. The first is on a plate.
I did it! Saw two nice bulls today while scouting for Elk.
Crappy cell pictures later.
You can just see the one behind him. I perceived him to be even larger. Again, sorry for the crappy pictures. It was about 5 pm so pretty low light.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qob0IpeTTjPv41_-F9YQSYhirU-zQ898b6GIIzA5BHJuBCV1yWR4CUBaR7ei03ruW-5zpEIAoiIhslimys0cdcRifHwTtc1XaIRqujhH0H8mL6zPcemp 3AHXyb9Fj_kccifQnxOnRcq9tjfSqJU_a7sqeIU8537aWTLG40 J1IGYksJxZtRKzPvtta9mIMch0qRW_S1EgHBwy75vOusX8pqQp sfZiNz9IysxiYuItEyL_0qLrT2FSAt-XAIyn6HDl2Ue-DJfHIxga2JxKcPOvANW7xy4eLsVebDEDkj6z7dnZBmZbsw1Z-BHApSQoTQE4Vxk87Qj97A16D37MQDYUFb5N4mYT5gR2R4J1mq6 PbZhs90h5mHFnhYUoNZJJWWvuH1Ied7nnn0oUpWYHKsvms13hp yi5YRe3ne1Z9UWmLirhIv-TN8ByshDU3wsyQTm3kI7PCDTO0XytYHfz3lL6QQmEx7SBoIC5D 8RzBvw3ulUL4Dna50bqnx92tomieuAGd9gsk-P8tMo3sopDnaAAkSBUKqG8LwPEAGFtGcyzRUZ1KbsOx86QQdn1 bUE9rVviVx7x-S0ANyu0qHdyv2pII9gWckJeiuU-dhbyn5cN75lkCHLW5k44rmGv0eOmYIXHdQyXR_N9TOUi9DO2wT TsnKuQvFS_NjhmkLYhgcKvbGytD3CB3HL5SXL6b1bvHWRisSSO FZ6AJsKlMTI_qfI=w1113-h626-no
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oyhAYY07SMDmhdDgqCG8kFuNk2poc8-xfwCHHitIk1Zvfm7LD3AclAYDQfxmI-6J_LRHCvwQsWJbNDBYxaNCP5zAyAY6LkkVhNe9uea470Ds-sf7TKlvbFupSkuZOpZyVB2Wx94xjW0eqdG4JclXb8w4QoumhRT EqiskgPC_3bsxkeAK4FeeYK13HEngL5P7Vx5sLkMI31gOb1V3_ px2XAwtOuifhDjmviY2mZjlTP24Jnz3UsGXZEyr_PMAqshMudu kIOukUCoDGXNTr_-gUyachE36hiPMnJf-SMARrtyUJW48vKbD_MT6deWd5rDVue5J7N36RmiWeYFTwDa-dLRb6vdHlD8HOxGI8Jsxv4pdXQy9o0HyiWlfIu7xp6Fz2rpWzD kn05qfgLyH8Na6K1Ejs52CgrW42eLbskBhzZtDQQWmY724VfGW qN5k5d4yAcisUy2lYhdsoyT5efUM1WniwFbtP3-oNabNCNWRyZClJ4PbJ3HE0fRf-6wqGrbim-X-8gBc9EoOWu3hN27PVo-oTkk3CXK_64u6juFzTgqIN3A6Ph7cTPjIpeMCn3IdK8-fh-jysjFayapviPu-SYalCc1bJWJTTUrlB769EzmCJpMAduzc6ZKsh1A-enInhJ3y_gldkuAIJPfyKynIWnEAl32NfKB38oD9UOmU8sUXoj b1oQqrxgeYLK_H5Szk8c_4EYny66Zr-q0soag=w1113-h626-no
Them leaving.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s3HwMw7TQI5DAqXVcKRj5i5tAgMq4K7q0Eq1mI0PyTF9CIqZCr v6vIZazwZ9w3jwcoeMJzNxVKDG4XcpWP4UnFXHO9APm7ukD7GS FQzfSIP5unEsrattMZqfFaS2iIJ4xJsv29SJj5B7xvQgvDUtDy F6DLMHwHaJRkqjdIGGe1jQpbTZmFMgnRgCL7YtNM7GVHDCyrSO KRAUbZ5_kO4H5wFoaSQYOUrycIYduKfczRiKshV89VNOF2BYbn AsQFT3aXtkujOownbs-1ZGbgMNRrU_U9a6fZyUgGwTfPhVJVSIduDLCd-6jEcmpSNpt6S4nnTTwBaGN0yV0dkqNGaBdot4dOUp9sAUD7ZlB W0dxsV05m2Wsis2td3sZxc1nIMv3bRTeT9IjJEe6vfP60u937c lChMsRQfGuhDAMeGz7XzYSelLI-RllheP1vSaerUEa8X8mz8X6FpSZ168J3URwXQpes9em9VEKsrK Y1etmMtgjXBMFA55HbvPykYgzQsypS_Z9qXR7XO6a0EkV8vDb8 lTK0PqjTVwm1UPcx70hO01HqZlh-za6e5N9WQdm_voAW6z7rhpaRX_yOyCLqcyGLrT0R1mDcvTSVfM BKcx6vSr4YC3EOurDv0FOj-LZJDlClFh76fFbiK_16ryG4dWcfTBbop6Nv9LWHsLa0gyr5DXz JCzzaGiJulW-ntfHExJvTxbEyRa9UmRqQnNsPQ=w1113-h626-no
theGinsue
11-13-2018, 21:36
Better than the moose I just saw last week in Alaska.
Better than the moose I just saw last week in Alaska.
Just had to one up me, didn't you? ;)
You know all the things they tell you not to do when you encounter wild animals, and especially moose? Well I did all of them. Actually, I guess I didn't get a selfie. Next time.
SideShow Bob
11-13-2018, 22:33
I did it! Saw two nice bulls today while scouting for Elk.
Crappy cell pictures later.
Isn’t it “you saw some Meese ?” Plural for moose ?
Meese is alternate plural for mouse. Guy from Alabama said so. A wife's friend's husband got a moose a few years back. Was big for Colorado.
We saw quite a few this year. Almost got ran over by one driving a trail in the dark to a parking spot.
Saw another later that morning with only one antler. Young bull.
I'd upload pics, but the 250KB limit is killing me.
Guess I need to get an imgur account.
OtterbatHellcat
11-14-2018, 21:24
I'd upload pics, but the 250KB limit is killing me.
Guess I need to get an imgur account.
I found the experience to be frustrating so I don't expect to post any pics in the future with this set up.
theGinsue
11-14-2018, 21:45
Just had to one up me, didn't you? ;)
Naw brother; I saw six cow moose in the wild up there then went to a Wildlife Conservation Center and finally got to see a few bulls - not a one of them were as beautiful as the two you got the pics of. Plus, the ones you saw weren't just in the wild - they are in the wild in our home state. I'd say you definitely got the better experience.
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