Unit 39

Torreys Peak and Mount Evans anchors dominate the northern reaches, providing unmistakable navigation markers visible across the unit. Jones Pass, Empire Pass, and Vasquez Pass are critical high-country waypoints for understanding terrain flow. Roosevelt Lakes, Summit Lake, and the Beartrack Lakes system offer reliable alpine water sources and glassing vantage points.

Clear Creek drainage forms a major east-west corridor through the unit's heart. The numerous named gulches—Silver Gulch, Georgia Gulch, Turkey Gulch—provide natural travel routes and reference points for more detailed navigation. McClellan Mountain and Captains Rock serve as secondary orientation features.

This is distinctly high-country terrain with elevations consistently above 7,000 feet and multiple peaks exceeding 14,000 feet. Dense subalpine and montane forest dominates lower elevations, transitioning into alpine meadows, sparse timber, and rocky tundra at the highest elevations. The steep topography creates dramatic relief—deep forested valleys cut by streams give way to exposed ridges and windswept summits.

Aspen and evergreen forest mosaic throughout the mid-elevation band, with increasingly sparse vegetation as you climb toward the Continental Divide. This elevation band supports different seasonal patterns than lower units, with winter snow arriving early and lingering late.

Nearly 1,000 miles of roads total, but density is misleading in mountainous terrain—most roads concentrate along valley floors and unit perimeter. I-70 and U.S. 40 provide obvious access from Denver area, with secondary access via Colorado 74 from the south. Once off main highways, road access becomes limited and seasonal; high-elevation roads close with snow.

This creates natural pressure distribution: accessible valley areas and lower-elevation drainages draw crowds early season, while higher basins and remote saddles offer solitude for hunters willing to climb. Vehicle access is connected but deceptive—a short drive covers little actual country.

Unit 39 encompasses high alpine terrain across Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Park Counties, anchored by the Continental Divide on the west. The northern boundary follows U.S. 40 and I-70 corridors; the eastern side is defined by Colorado 74 and Jefferson County Road 73, providing reference points for navigation. Southern limits trace along U.S. 285 and the Pike-Arapaho National Forest boundary.

The unit is bounded by significant transportation corridors and county lines, making it accessible for staging from Front Range towns like Idaho Springs and Empire. Adjacent unit 391 shares similar terrain characteristics.

Despite the high elevation, water is scattered and seasonal in many areas. Clear Creek is the primary reliable drainage system, running east through the unit with multiple forks including South Clear Creek and West Fork Clear Creek. The alpine lake system—Beartrack Lakes, Roosevelt Lakes, Summit Lake, Silver Dollar Lake, and Chicago Lakes—provides essential water for high-elevation hunting.

Springs like Koser Spring and Idaho Springs offer supplemental sources, but availability varies seasonally. Lower elevations have fewer reliable water sources, making drainage knowledge critical for route planning. Peak runoff occurs in early summer, but many high basins dry significantly by late season.

Elk and deer are the primary targets, with elk favoring the transition zones between dense forest and alpine meadows, particularly in early season. Mule deer use mid-elevation mixed forest and aspen, with migration patterns driven by early snow. High basins and ridge systems offer glassing opportunities for both species in early season before snow pushes everything lower.

Moose inhabit high willow meadows and aspen groves, most accessible early season before steep snow. Mountain lion and black bear are present throughout forested elevations. Late season hunting requires lower-elevation strategy as snow forces game down into accessible forest.

The steep terrain rewards hunters who climb early and glass rather than road-hunt; ridge systems and saddles concentrate animals during transitions.