2025 Greenback Stocking in Boston Gulch

2025 Greenback Stocking in Boston Gulch

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be coordinating a stocking effort to plant greenback cutthroat trout into Boston Gulch. This event will require hiking into predetermined stocking locations - details are below.

Volunteers will meet at the Potbelly Restaurant & Lounge in Red Feather Lakes at 10:15 to go over stocking logistics, project expectations, and break into hiking groups. The hatchery truck will arrive between 10:45-11:00 with 1-2" greenback cutthroat trout that will be bagged and ready to be hiked into their new home. The bagged fish will be transferred to CPW trucks, and volunteers will caravan to the trailhead, located within an hour's drive on semi-rugged roads. All-Wheel-Drive vehicles with at least 7" clearance will be necessary. CPW vehicles can be used to shuttle some volunteers if they have signed a CPW volunteer waiver form, and volunteers with suitable vehicles will be asked to assist with carpooling from the Potbelly.

All stocking locations will require hiking on game trails, not established hiking trails, ranging from a 2 mile round trip hike with 200' elevation gain up to a 7 mile hike with 900' 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 10-15 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 into groups based on hiking ability. All groups will have a CPW or USFS leader to guide them. The plan is to leave the Potbelly by 11:15, start hiking around 12:15. The ultimate goal is to spread out the trout throughout each drainage as much as possible. 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