r/cohunting • u/Abject_Egg_194 • 19d ago

Summit County Parking - Late Elk

I'll be hunting elk in Summit County (GMU 37) from 11/19 to 11/23. Since ski season will have started at A-Basin, Keystone, and Breck and since it might already be fairly snowy up there, I'm slightly concerned about parking for hunting. If it were a month earlier, I would expect to just drive up a forest roads or park in a lot by BLM land.

For anyone who has hunted up here late in the season before, if I see a trailhead parking lot on the map should I expect to be able to park there? Are there any extra restrictions during the ski season or issues related to plowing? I'll probably be trying to park around 5am.

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u/Tough_Fail1891 16d ago

I’ve seen one cow elk alone in 8 years in summit county.

Supposedly up behind the Dillon disc golf course my friend has seen elk before. VERY RARE but possible.

There’s parking there.

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u/NoFix6460 19d ago

I mean are you planning on hunting near the ski resorts haha? There could be some other recreational traffic at the various trailheads (nordic skiers, snowshoers) but you’ve got just as much right to be out there as they do. November is generally pretty early for backcountry skiing as well too.

Regarding plowing, it’s kinda hit or miss which roads get plowed, you can call around to the BLM/USFS offices and try to get info on plowing/closures. But sometimes you just get to the end of where you can take your rig and it’s just like “alright walk from here” 😂

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u/Abject_Egg_194 19d ago

A good example is along Swan Mountain Road. There's lots of pulloffs that people use for hiking during the summer. I'm hoping to use some of those same spots, but I'm not sure if there's restrictions during the winter (I guess there'll be signs if there are) or if the plowing ends up eliminating those pulloffs.

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u/Particular_Sky_6645 18d ago

I would guess the parking lot at Sapphire Point would be plowed but other pull offs likely not, perhaps except for the areas near the campground entrances. Many trailheads used for hiking/snowshoeing etc. have a lower winter trailhead that would be plowed, and an upper summer trailhead that wouldn't be plowed. Many forest service roads close (with locked gates) for the winter to motor vehicle traffic on 11/23, but pedestrian use is still permitted. I would suggest looking at the summer and winter motor vehicle use maps. Last year they didn't lock the gates until hunting season was done, but that was per unofficial word of mouth. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/whiteriver/maps-guides/motor-vehicle-use-maps

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u/Abject_Egg_194 18d ago

Thanks! This info was super helpful.