No bear spray needed might need something to keep dirty hippies off though (making pot legal attracted all kinds of wildlife). Not too many bears that are that aggressive or even around the areas that have been mentioned but not out of the question, bumped into a two in the course of ten years in 11 Mile Canyon fishing the section of the South Platte ther . If you do make it over towards Taryall there was a moose or two that came done to the reservoir and they can be kind of silly if you don't keep your distance. The only critter I found aggressive up there was a golden eagle on Taryall during ice fishing season that demanded a fish or two from each tent on the lake. Stupid thing looked like a pterodactyl hoping around on the ice and was obviously confused as bald eagles are the "fish" eagle.

Gold panning can be done over on the Arkansas and few of the upper tributaries coming off the backside of Sheep Mountain ( the other mountain with a tree line next to Pikes Peak) and Pikes Peak. Never really saw people doing it or have done it myself anywhere else. I would assume it could also be done closer to where you'll be in Fairplay just to the west near the big town of Alma. The Antero area is known for semi precious gem stones like topaz.

This week in South Park---- Antero fishing well on top or under.. Callibaetis hatch 10-noon-- damsels noon-3.. caddis late afternoon..
Drys to use callibaetis#14 -adams-adult damsel blue -stimulator-elkhair caddis-- hoppers
Nymphs 10-12 fow ---chironimids-callibaetis-pheasant tails

Spinney callibaetis nymphs-- hares ear.--pheasant tails. Not much happening on drys but should soon.. No wet wading here but skitters can get bad on all shorelines in South Park. No bear spray needed. Gold medal water 1 fish over 20" harvest but consider C&R..I like 2x tippet and a quick release..


Dream stream and down stream think small #20 trico spinners and midges.. Good luck