Finally...

[bbrown]

Now for the elk - I decided to make only 2 trips but that was probably not the smartest idea. First load was 118lbs and the second was 105lbs - without the trekking poles I probably would have hurt myself. I am sold on these things - call me what you want!!!
The draw or ravine ended up being 157 yards across and 70 yards deep from the road side and 81 yards deep from the side were my elk was. I am no expert in geometry but that’s plenty steep in my book.
Here are a few more pictures of the pack out and once I got him back to the truck:

 

[bbrown]

Thanks for the kind words and coming along for the story - sorry if it was a bit long or drawn out.

Also, thanks to In God We Trust, Jim, it was nice to bounce some ideas back and forth since I was hunting alone.

Actually - in hind sight I probably should have named this "Better lucky than Good" as that has kind of been a running theme this year...

 

[ScottR_EHJ]

Good bull and story!

 

[dreamingbig]

Awesome thread! Congrats!

 

[DWarcher]

Very nice!

 

[Nick Muche]

Nice work! Great photo essay of your hunt too!

 

[hobbes]

I left Leadville in 2011. Its hard to forget those two mountains after looking at them everyday for almost 5 years. I never spent any time in 49, but I believe you can see those two mountains (in 48) from anywhere along the top of 49.

Congrats on the bull!

 

[JNDEER]

Great read and awesome job on the bull..... Nothing wrong with a little road hunting in the mix of things.

 

[Titaniumman]

Well done on both the story and the hunt. Good memories

 

[Huntr]

Fantastic bull and an awesome story! Thanks for sharing.

 

[trophyhill]

thumbs up!

 

[flytrait]

Awesome! I really like hearing about the hunt itself..

 

[tstowater]

Great story. Goes to show that you need to be flexible and willing to move around. Not sure if I would describe this as a backcountry walk in hunt or a road hunt in the truck. In either case, you paid your dues. Congrats.

 

[bbrown]

Thanks again - I originally had not planned to come out until there was an elk down or the season ended but plans change. My only regret was tagging out on the first night - still had way too much country I wanted to see. On the otherhand, I have screwed up way too many opportunities in the past so there was no way I could pass up on this one.

Here are a few pictures of the skull and rack - since I tagged out early I spent the rest of my vacation at home, butchered the meat and boiled/bleached the skull.

 

[ktowncamo]

Perfect start to my day. Thanks for taking the time to share your story and the pics!

 

[In God We Trust]

Nice bull my friend! That country looks familiar for some reason.Thanks again for the heads up!

 

[fillthefreezer]

thanks for the story and pictures, enjoy that eatin all winter!

 

[cnelk]

Great story and pics!
Good job!

 

[DEW]

Congrats on a great hunt and even better story, thanks for taking us along...