Scouting the Bumping

[iRem]

Well I am planning a trip to the Bumping unit to do a little, well a lot of scouting and I was wondering if any one has hunted off the 410? I have located some areas that look very elky and are very limited as most of the unit is very limited unless you hike, bike or pack in with horses. I was thinking about hiking up the American River to locate some elk and possibly put up a couple of cams! Just wondering if any one has been in through that area and would have any advice about going in off the 410 before Lodgepole camp ground. I did see a couple of trails on the map but did not see on google earth, not sure what the trails are.  Any advise would be great!

[gasman]

There are a few trails along 410 before lodge pole camp ground. I have not hiked them very far but they do go along ways. One goes all the to American Lake, just off the park boundary.

I have hunted the area a few times. Have a buddy with a cabin across from lodge pole CG. stayed there a few times during hunting but didn't do any good and we ended up driving to LN to hunt, so we quite hunting from the cabin.

I have seen some elk in the area, and even had a trail cam up for the summer a few years back but did not see many animals. Seen some, but not enough to get me excited about hunting there.

There are some guys that park up the pass more and hike down in to the head waters. There is always elk in the head waters of the American river but its a tuff hike.

Right before you get to Bear Gap road, there is a gate and a road that follows the HWY below it. It goes back a short distance. there is a few mine back there and not a bad place to hunt either. The elk cross from the upper hills to the lower creek bottom around there to feed and water, you might catch them in there or hike up the valley and hunt.
Last time I was in there during hunting season there was a camp in there, don't know if they camp and hunt there all the time but I don't suppose you would be along, but i also don't expect much pressure.

One place I would prefer to hunt would be across the river from Pleasant Valley Camp ground 

One year we had a herd of elk in the meadows, suck in 2 hours before day light and had elk every where. Could not see them from tehdark ness but we heard them walking by us as we were hunkered down in teh tall grass and smelled them, every where. Doug even had a cow and calf get right up in his face, he was a bit scared, and I know i would have been to  But anyways, a bull bugeled from across the river just before day break and they all got up and walked off, not one left when shooting light came, just the smell of elk 

[iRem]

Thanks Gasman for the info!  I'm hoping that there is a foot bridge that goes over American River or I might have to bring some waders which is just more to pack.....I have located a few area that I would like to hunt and put up a couple trail cams!  My goal is to hike up hill and pack a cow out going down hill as much as possible, hahaha. Any ways, there's many escape routes from some deep valleys and big hills all around and a couple of ridges to walk along to do some glassing and some locating....Just looking to get a cow, will be hunting solo and hope to pack in and out daily with about a 3 day hunt!

[norsepeak]

why do you need waders?  Are you going to melt if you get wet?

[gasman]

why do you need waders?  Are you going to melt if you get wet?

I would 

There actually used to be a big log that crosses the river at the camp ground but dont know if its still there.


There is also trail head down the hwy a little but that you can start from there if your up to a hike 

[iRem]

why do you need waders?  Are you going to melt if you get wet?

I just might......no I just didn't want to start out on a 3-5 mile hike with wet socks and boots, maybe after the 3-5 mile hike out!  It's been about 10 years since I've been in the area, mostly in the Nile and Bethel area. I just need to plan for the worst and hope for the best when I get there.

[norsepeak]

 why not just take off your boots etc,  roll up your pants and wade across?  The river is very low that time of year.

[iRem]

why not just take off your boots etc,  roll up your pants and wade across?  The river is very low that time of year.

Great point,  guess I wasn't thinking about the water levels at that time of the year, just thinking about now! Higher levels, snow melt, colder water no big deal just looking to be prepared! Thanks for your help Norsepeak!

[norsepeak]

no problem, I like to think that I've learned a thing or two in the last 25 years of chasin elk up here...

[gasman]

why not just take off your boots etc,  roll up your pants and wade across?  The river is very low that time of year.

Duh, because the water is cold  that's a no brainer   

[Opportunist]

I-rem, pm sent

[fishseeker]

Take an old set of POS waders, Cross the river, STASH EM, go hunting. If they are gone when ya get back get your feet wet then Done it many times. Saves wet feet on a hike. Cheap Garage sale ones work best. Long as they are not ripped if they leak alittle so what.

[iRem]

Take an old set of POS waders, Cross the river, STASH EM, go hunting. If they are gone when ya get back get your feet wet then Done it many times. Saves wet feet on a hike. Cheap Garage sale ones work best. Long as they are not ripped if they leak alittle so what.

That's the plan, I have an old pair of light weight breathable waders that weigh nothing and I'll keep them in my pack for the first time out into this new area. I have several areas that I have scoped out and there's some water and marsh areas around. I'll jus keep them until I get to know this particular area. I have a few other places that I know in wont need them!

[iRem]

I-rem, pm sent

Thanks for the pm