elk hunting around trout lake?

[elksnout]

I think at one time this was the place to hunt. There was logging and road access was decent. Private timberland had few if any restictions. All of that most likely kept the hunting population more dispersed.That's all history now. There's less availble land period. Hence, crowding. You have to hunt harder and longer to find the yellow butts. It's now a timber hunt for the most part. Remember the heavy snows just a couple of years back ? Sadly, I too have moved on. I've left a lot of boot prints up there and to this day is still one of my favorite areas in the Gifford Pinchot. I just do not hunt there anymore. But I'm getting the itch for a reunion but I will keep my hidy holes to myself not that they're super productive, but because I can find solitude there. For me, that's as important as finding the elk.

[HoofsandWings]

I am going to be in Trout Lake next weekend. If I find something to take a picture of that has 4 hooves, I will post.

[GooNiEs]

hey hoofs was out around fs21 and fs23 camping and 21 was too deep in snow for my jeep..(running 31's)... just past walput lake turn off about a mile past.. and 23 was deep in snow as well so might have to go the long way if your coming from puget sound area.. .. seen 2 does and a buck just past the bike trails at blue lake... but no elk..

[HoofsandWings]

Goonies, that is one way to get to Trout Lake. If you are coming from I5, then Cougar, Curley Creek, Carson-Guler.
Snow is just below the 4000 foot level, except in the snowier places. Usually, when tire junction is totally clear and there is access to Mosquito Lake, you should be able to make it from the north. That said, those stretches of road are particularly vulnerable to slides and washouts.

[Alchase]

We went down rd 23 yesterday. Hit deep snow before the pass coming from Randle and decided not to push the luck. I am surprised it is still that deep up there?

[Ghost Hunter]

We went up the 25 from Cougar on Sunday.  Someone left the gate open     Made it to the 2556 just a couple miles short of Elk Pass before the snow pack stopped us.  Stopped at the Ranger Station on the way back.  They were going up to guard the gate and clear everyone out

[GooNiEs]

yea i only push my luck if im out about with another rig or group roll... what i need is a bigger lift and taller tires ... maybe next year....  never tried getting to trout lake any other way ... im sure the snow will be gone come july time...

[huntinkid20]

I wish the gate would have been open on the 25 yesterday. It wasnt so i turned around and took the 90 to the 88 to trout lake. Just passed the P.C. trail i saw a small rag horn and off the 88 i saw a few cows, and even a cow and a calf! There aren't a lot of elk around there but a few.

[Mark B]

Stay away from trout lake unless there is snow.. Used to hunt south of troutlake in the lava beds, had not so good success, every couple years someone Kills a nice bull out there though( first year my pops shot a Six by Seven in the lava beds) antlers stood taller than his Highboy Ford.. Was a monster.. There in there you just gotta find em.. And about all the hunters.. always been that way and always will be.. I was sitting on a clearcut one time and World war three went off in the cut down the road.. One camp took out four cows and what looked to be a calf.. Anyways if you do find em there usually bunched up and dont move far....

[BIGINNER]

thanks for the info guys   

[BENCHLEG]

dont wory mark . the war is over now it will be permit only for cows. enjoy that country it sucks i have found better places to hunt . the lava bed scares away more people than you know. try hunting from goose to huckleberry.  good luck J

[Alchase]

dont wory mark . the war is over now it will be permit only for cows. enjoy that country it sucks i have found better places to hunt . the lava bed scares away more people than you know. try hunting from goose to huckleberry.  good luck J

Ssshhh, Benchleg

No don't hunt the lava it will cut up your boots! 

[270Shooter]

Maybe a dumb question but, what is so bad about the lava beds?

[HoofsandWings]

So far I have seen 1 black bear, 4 bucks, 3 does, 2 4+bulls (wide racks).
Raining here. Sightings have been around noon.

[Austrian Hunter]

Did you took any pics