Fall in the Colorado Mountains

Thursday (9-27) we took a drive in the mountains to view the colors and to hear the elk bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park. We chose the Cache La Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway to begin our route. The drive up the Poudre canyon is always a treat. As we approached Cameron pass we were surprised how much snow was already on the higher peaks. Once over the pass you enter the quiet, bowl-shaped valley of North Park, located just west of the Continental Divide. North Park was once a favorite bison grazing ground, and today deer, antelope, elk, moose, beaver, and coyote populate the area. They were all in hiding as we passed through however! The drive through Walden and on to Grand Lake provide a diverse landscape

We entered Rocky Mountain National Park at the West entrance near Grand Lake. The views over trail ridge road were spectacular as usual. The clear blue sky and cool air (45 degrees) allowed us to see for miles. Arriving at Moraine Park a little after 5 pm, we found hundreds of elk in the meadow. Watching the bull elk round up their harems and hearing them bugle has become an anticipated annual event for us.

After dark we drove into Estes Park for dinner at the Lodge Restaurant. On the drive home down Big Thompson Canyon we had to make a sudden stop while 3 elk crossed the road in front of our headlights. Fortunately the car behind us was not tailgating when we stopped! "Tis truly a privilege to live in Colorado"