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Colorado Vignette - The Sights and Sounds of Autumn

Nature's last fling in the mountains begins with cooler nights and the gradual changing of colors from higher to lower elevations. The weather is at its best and most reliable. In Rocky Mountain National Park , at elevations from 9,000 to 11,000 feet, color comes in the early part of September. Fall displays can last as long as 4 weeks with no early snow or high winds. Patches of identical color indicate a clone of trees, a grove growing from the some root system.

A unique sign of the changing season in the mountains is the elk bugling. As September approaches, elk descend from the high country to lower elevations. The larger bulls, weighing up to 1,100 pounds and standing 5 feet at the shoulders, start to compete for the harems of cows. They compete by displaying their antlers, necks and bodies and by bugling, a deep, resonant tone that rises rapidly to a high-pitched squeal before dropping to a series of grunts. The eerie sound challenges rival males and the strength or range of the call usually matches the size and maturity of the bull. The displays and the antics of the younger males can be very interesting and amusing. There are a number of viewing areas in Rocky Mountain National Park, plus the advantage of talks and information provided by Park Rangers, naturalists and volunteers (called the Bugle Corps) from early September till late October.

Enjoy our amazing nature responsibly, this means putting the needs of the animals before our own desire to view them.

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