Elk GMU 48

[scase]

Hunting GMU 48 for the first time (4th rifle season); looking to hunt the Fryingpan Wilderness area east of Aspen. What is the best access? Is it Frying Pan road from Basalt to Hagerman pass, and will it be open Nov 13th? It looks like I can also get there from the Leadville side going past Turquoise Lake, but the road is sketchy. Trying to start at highest elevation I can drive to then backpack in.

[RP]

Just got back from unit 47. We hunted the west side of where you are talking about. You can drive up the Smuggler Mountain road to the top and the back pack in that is what we did. Smuggler Road is in Aspen. Seen lots of fresh sign but they were not talking and to many places to hide. Stumbled across one spike and a few cows that was it. Don't know about East Side or Frying Pan.