2025 Colorado River Cutthroat Salvage in Baker Gulch

2025 Colorado River Cutthroat Salvage in Baker Gulch

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be coordinating a salvage effort to save Colorado River  cutthroat trout in Baker Gulch. This event will require hiking into predetermined various locations - details are below.

We will be salvaging the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Population in Baker Gulch on August 14, 2025. Our goal is to live-capture and remove roughly 80% of the population, and then CPW will transport these fish by truck to the Lost Dog Creek native cutthroat trout restoration project in the Yampa River basin, where they will be released to help establish a new population in that stream. Baker Gulch will subsequently be treated with rotenone the week of August 25, to remove any remaining CO River Cutthroat Trout and the Brook Trout population in the creek, as part of the Poudre Headwaters Project. 

We are looking for up to 12 RMF volunteers to assist agency partners with capturing and removing the CO River Cutthroat Trout population in Baker Gulch. These volunteers will need to be capable of hiking over rough and steep terrain to their assigned reach, assisting with backpack electrofishing, and hiking out a load of fish and water (approximately 20 lb. load) on their back. Hiking distances will range from 1 mile to 4 miles round trip. 

We will plan to meet at the La Poudre Pass trailhead (end of the Long Draw Rd.) at 8:00 a.m. on 8/14 and then combine vehicles to carpool along the Grand Ditch Rd. to the Baker Gulch (approximately 45 minute drive on Grand Ditch Rd). While we may finish early, volunteers should be prepared for a long day at altitude. 

Hiking will primarily be on established hiking trails, ranging from a 1 mile round trip hike with 220' elevation gain up to a 4 mile round trip hike with 790' vertical elevation gain. Volunteers will need to be able to carry a pack with their personal gear, snacks, water, and a bag of fish/water that will weigh approximately 20 pounds. A 65 liter backpack is ideal for carrying the insulated bags of fish. CPW has a few packs they can provide so please let us know if you need to borrow one.

Volunteers will be split among 8 to 10 crews. Each crew will have a CPW or USFS leader to guide them. Groups will be returning at staggered times depending on distance traveled and hiking speed, so it's best to assume this is a full-day event.

If you have any questions send an e-mail to Phil Wright at phil.wright@rmftu.org