What would you make of these trails on GE

[Steve G]

This image is a GE image of a place in CO within the bounds of a unit I am researching. The location is at 11,500' and is on National Forest property. Looking at it, there appear to be a significant trail through the browse and a lot of smaller trails are interwoven though it like a feeding area. I have no doubt the area is used; but by what? Could be deer, elk, cattle? At 11,500' I'm sure the growing season is short so these trails are probably very old, though possibly still in use. Any thoughts? Is this sort of detail useful for elk hunt planning? If I were deer hunting I would be all over it.

Thanks,
Steve

[Swamp Buck]

Hard to tell, could be anything. Look into were it comes from. Follow it back to thick timber and now you are onto something.

[Indian Summer]

Can't really say for sure. If we could see the lay of the land as in contours, or knew what was beyond that small section in the picture it may be easier to tell. It is so prominent and out in the wide open so I'm going to guess horses or cattle. That turn out in the open is very deliberate so I don't think it's a game trail although game often uses pack trails.

[otcWill]

I would guess with relative confindence that its a social trail made by people. I can't see the topo here but I'm guessing this is the case. Almost always when I'm looking at game trails on GE they are everywhere, not just one through a meadow. This is a pretty good rule to live by while internet scouting.

[Steve G]

Thanks guys. I'd like to provide an image with more perspective but that might be selfish of me, considering that it might be another hunters happy place. This area is withing the bounds of what CO considers to be a "Summer Elk Concentration Area". But I'm sure that there can still be a lot of voids within it.

Thanks again.

[ElkNut1]

Steve, what dates are you planning on hunting the area?

ElkNut1

[Steve G]

Steve, what dates are you planning on hunting the area?

ElkNut1

I haven't decided yet because I am unsure what is most to my personal advantage. Either five days from opening day archery, or five days from mid September. I would prefer to hunt where/when I have less competition / pressure, (which I think might be opening day of season). However with my limited elk experience, I may really need to rely on locating elk by sound.