Incredible wildlife encounter from a service road at Rocky Mountain National Park where a stout looking group of bull elk walked in single file pasted an astonished mountain biker who had the presence of mind to pull out his phone and capture the entire procession on video.
Elk are one of the largest members of the deer family. Bull elk can weigh several hundred pounds and stand five feet tall at the shoulder. Elk can pose a danger to people and Rocky Mountain National Park advises visitors to maintain at least 75 from them, but in this case all the bikers could do was move to the side and let them pass.
What an incredible story to take home from one of our National Parks!
Rocky Mountain National Park Wildlife Viewing Tips:
The park’s great large-animal population makes it one of the country’s top wildlife watching destinations. But there is much more to see than these so-called “charismatic megafauna.” Also found are nearly 60 other species of mammals; more than 280 recorded bird species; six amphibians, including the federally endangered boreal toad; one reptile (the harmless garter snake); 11 species of fish; and countless insects, including a surprisingly large number of butterflies.
Elk can be seen anytime, a popular viewing period being the fall rut, or mating season. Look for elk in meadows and where meadow and forest meet. Elk spend much of their time at or above treeline during the summer, moving to lower elevations in the fall, winter and spring. Favorite feeding times: dawn and dusk.
