Rocky Mountain NP – Moraine Elk Rut
During the Elk Rut in Rocky Mountain National Park, Elk descend from higher elevations to the lower-level meadows to fight for cows to breed with. Consequently, Elk are easily seen and regularly heard.
Moraine Campground
This campground just re-opened after being shut down to make it more compatible with larger campers and modern RVing. The addition of electricity is nice but, in our opinion, they really missed the mark with the re-model. The sites are extremely unlevel and so close together there’s zero privacy or quiet, plus there are not enough bathrooms. So, if you’re not here specifically for the Elk Rut, we’d choose Glacier Basin Campground over Moraine every time.
Campsite Visitors
Dinner in Estes Park
After setting up camp, nobody feels like cooking so we head into Estes Park for dinner, desert, and a walk around the downtown area.
Elk
On the way we see Elk in Moraine Park on our right so we pull over to take a few pictures.
Estes Park
Once we reach Estes Park, we choose Smokin’ Dave’s BBQ for dinner and Pines & Cones Ice Cream for dessert which are both fantastic. After we finish our ice cream, we take a short walk around downtown.
On the way home we pass a lone elk cow just off the side of the road.
Moraine Park & Elk
Moraine Park is one of the primary locations for seeing Elk during the rutting season and given our campground is just above, we pass it each time we leave the campground. So, on the way back from dinner we see another herd. This one with a very large bull.
After we reach camp, I head out for a short walk while the others head into the camper to relax. Immediately across from camp I catch sight of the sunset highlighting Lone Mountain in the distance.
And a little way around I see another view with a herd of Elk in the Park below.
I didn’t make it very far from our campsite and I’m here so long watching and listening to the Elk bugle that my honey comes looking for me and we stay a while longer watching them together as the sun goes down. At one point there were several herds in sight with probably 75-100 Elk in view. Here are a few of the best pictures.
Besides watching wildlife at sunset with my honey, the best park of the evening is a very young calf trying to bugle. The sound it made is adorable.
Cub Lake Trail
This morning we decide to go for an easy walk down the hill from camp to the Cub Lake Trailhead and do part of the Cub Lake Trail to the beaver ponds. However, once we reach the beaver ponds none of us are ready to stop so we end up going all the way to Cub Lake and back.
Big Thompson River
Just past the trailhead is this beautiful view.
Cub Creek Valley
Cub Creek Beaver Ponds
Unnamed pond along Cub Creek
Trail and Wildlife Views
Cub Lake
It’s hard to see the full lake from the trail, but my wonderful honey did a little scrambling over downed trees and rocks to get this incredible view.
Scenic Drive to SE Corner
This morning we’re opting to take a drive to the southeast corner of Rocky Mountain National Park and on the way out we see a small Elk herd crossing Bear Lake Road into Moraine Park.
Mary’s Lake
Heading into Estes Park we’ve seen several signs for the Mary’s Lake Recreation Area, I have to say we were expecting more than this.
Lily Lake
This scenic alpine lake is a popular destination on the SE side of the park due to its ~1-mile accessible loop trail around the lake.
Views from Lily Lake Trail.
Wild Basin Area
On the way to the Wild Basin Ranger Station and Trailhead, we pass this lovely cascade along the North Saint Vrain Creek.
Copeland Falls
Once we reach the trailhead, we find parking spot and then proceed up the Lower and Upper Copeland Falls Trail. The trail is smooth and easy and the falls are very peaceful.
Video Links:
Cascade
As we progress a little further up the trail, we see a few amazing cascades. Here’s one of them.
There are actually two of the top 15 waterfalls in Colorado located further along this trail (Calypso Cascades & Ouzel Falls) but we’re not up for the challenge today. So, we turn around at the cascade above, find the Jeep and head back to camp.
Elk on Park Entrance Road
On the way home just as we’re getting ready to turn onto Bear Lake Road, I spot a herd of Elk just off the road a little ahead. So, we pass our turnoff and find a place to park.
Sparring Elk Bulls
Shortly after arriving home, we head out for a walk around the campground and get a huge surprise. We run into two herds of Elk behind some campsites in Loop A and they’re close enough together that the Bulls are not happy. As they are sparring, one of the cows takes advantage of their distraction to switch herds.
We probably stay here watching them for an hour, so we get a lot of photos and video. Here are some of the best pictures and links to a few videos as well.
Video Links:
When we try to leave, we realize the two herds are now very close to the road in both directions. So, to keep our distance and stay safe, we walk up and over a hill to the next campground loop.
An Aborted Hike
This morning we have a very cold wind, so we’re going to spend the morning relaxing around camp with a plan to go for a hike in the afternoon. However, when we’re ready to head out, we look up and see dense clouds coming our way. Checking the radar, there’s rain on the way. So, we abort the hike and will try for a short walk later in the afternoon.
Cub Lake Trailhead
After the rain clouds clear, we head down the hill with the intention of walking through the meadow at the Cub Lake Trailhead.
Elk Herd
But just after we cross the bridge, we see a very large herd of Elk heading directly toward us and as they approach, we see at least 4 large Bulls and ~9 young Bulls among the Cows and Calves.
Surprisingly, they’re not fighting each other. As we continue to watch and photograph the herd, we have to retreat several times for our safety. Here’s some of the best pictures.
As they continue to come across the creek toward the trailhead, we decide to make a full retreat before we’re cut off from the trail leading back to the campground. On the way back to camp, we’re talking about this experience and realize we wouldn’t have seen it if the earlier hike hadn’t been aborted. More evidence that everything happens for a reason.
After Dinner Walk
Since my afternoon walk was interrupted by the Elk, I head out for a walk after dinner and you guessed it, find more Elk. Thankfully, these ones aren’t blocking the path.
I also find some Mule Deer, an old cabin, and get a couple of nice sunset shots.
What a beautiful end to a very nice day.
Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park Loop
The forecast today is calling for a great morning with a chance of showers in the afternoon. So, we head out from the campsite to connect with the Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park Loop.
This easy trail provides some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains and surprisingly the only wildlife we encounter is a few Mule Deer Buck.
Panorama Mountain Views North & South
Trail Views
Mule Deer
We arrive back at camp right at lunchtime and about 15 minutes later it begins raining.
We may not have actually seen Elk today but they are serenading us to sleep tonight. I actually feel sorry for the campers in Loop A because it sounds like they’re in for a very long night.
Fern Falls Trail
After two days of taking it easy, we head out this morning for a challenging hike up to a waterfall. Our chosen trail is the Fern Falls Trail which leaves from the Fern Lake Trailhead just southwest of camp. We’ll see some falls colors, pass by several cascades in both Spruce and Fern Creeks, are treated to incredible mountain views, traverse an area known as Arch Rocks, stop to take in The Pools, see some wildlife, and at the top experience an incredible waterfall.
Fall Colors, Trail & Mountain Views
Creek Cascades
Arch Rocks
The Pools
Here’s the link to see The Pools cascade.
Wildlife – Elk
The Elk are across the meadow in the tall grass.
Fern Falls
This 60-foot waterfall is downstream from Fern Lake along Fern Creek.
Click this link to see and hear Fern Falls for yourself.
Needless to say, after ~7 miles and ~1,000-feet of elevation (we walked from the campground) we’re all pleasantly tired, but the trail is easy to navigate and we enjoyed it very much.
A Trip to the Top
We’ve been waiting until our final day in the park to head up Fall River Road to the Alpine Visitor Center. We have four goals today:
- Visit Horseshoe Falls
- Look for fall colors along Old Fall River Road
- Have a cinnamon roll in the Trail Ridge Cafe at the Alpine Visitor Center
- Stop at all the remaining overlooks on Trail Ridge Road
We manage to accomplish all of our goals and get a couple of bonuses along the way.
Elk on the way out of Moraine Campground
Bull Moose
Just before the turnoff to Old Fall River Road, we pass a bunch of cars pulled off on both sides of the road. Slowing down to pass safely we see a large group of people have cornered a very large Bull Moose and are standing only about 10-feet from it taking pictures. Needless to say, we do not stop and add to poor Moose’s agitation, nor do we want to be around when it decides it’s had enough.
Horseshoe Falls
This beautiful waterfall is easily accessed via a short, paved path and if you’re able, you can leave the path for some very light rock scrambling to get very close to it.
Video link: Horseshoe Falls
Bull Elk
Just past the waterfall we see this lone Bull Elk napping in the grass.
Old Fall River Road’s Fall Color Display
Alpine Visitor Center
As we reach the top it begins to rain and then briefly turns to sleet so we quickly head into the cafe for our cinnamon roll. And this time we’re told that there are microwaves at the end of the room for warming them up. Once warm, we get that lovely warm gooey cinnamon that in my opinion makes a cinnamon roll great.
After our snack, we head over to the Visitor Center viewing platform where we see a herd of Elk. We find this surprising because Elk usually descend to the lower meadows to participate in the rut this time of year.
To compare the view from the Alpine Visitor Center above to the one we took almost a month ago, visit our Rocky Mountain NP – Grand Lakes Area blog. The colors are dramatically different.
Trail Ridge Road Overlooks
Luckily, we stopped at several of the upper overlooks when we were in Grand Lake (see blog link above) because today the views are completely obscured by clouds and rain. It’s also 39oF outside and very windy. Not a pleasant day to be sightseeing at 12,000-Feet.
As we descend, the temperatures rise, the rain begins to clear, the sun comes out, and we start seeing fall colors again.
Many Parks Curve Overlook
In addition to some really bright fall colors, this large overlook provides extensive views southeast into the Upper Beaver Meadows and beyond.
Hidden Valley
Upper Beaver Meadows Overlook
Moraine Park
On the way back to camp, we detour down Moraine Park Road to see what wildlife we can find and have our last picnic lunch in the Rocky Mountain National Park sunshine.
Final Campground Walk
In the afternoon we take one final walk around the campground and are treated to a variety of sights.
An Unexpected Encounter While Watching the Sunset
On our last evening here, I catch sight of the sun descending over the mountains and decide to stay and watch it set.
And as I’m watching it with a few others, a large Bull Elk walks out of the trees about ~20-feet away. It stops to look at us then continues down the hill to the road where it roams and bugles for a while. Here’s the video link: A surprise sunset visitor.
After realizing there are only two other Bulls in the area and no Cows to fight over, it comes back up the hill toward us.
Providing a lovely shot of it with the mountains and the sunset beyond.
What an amazing way to end our visit to Rocky Mountain National Park!
Links to our other Rocky Mountain blogs:
- Rocky Mountain NP – Grand Lake Area
- State Forest State Park (adjacent to NW side of Rocky Mountain National Park)
- Rocky Mountain NP – Bear Lake Area
Next stop… Recuperating in Loveland / Fort Collins
