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| Bull elk at Rocky Mountain National Park |
Mule deer
Common across the West, mule deer have extremely large ears that resemble those of a mule. Up to three feet high at the shoulder, they weigh between 100-300 pounds. They tend to live in the park’s lower hills and in light forests. About 500 of them gather in Estes Valley each winter.
Moose
The largest animal in the park, they can stand up to seven feet high at the shoulder and weigh 1500 pounds. With only 30-50 moose residing there, they are a rare sight. The best spot to see them is on the park's west side grazing along the Colorado River banks and in the Kawuneeche Valley.
Elk
Bull elks can stand up to five feet tall and weigh 1100 pounds. They make a distinctive bugling sound each autumn to mark the beginning of the breeding season. Typically then can be seen in Moraine Park grazing during summer and the lower meadows during fall. About 300-400 elk winter in the park and another 500-600 winter in Estes Park.
Bighorn sheep
The park’s on and off official symbol, most recently appearing on its centennial logo, a male bighorn can weigh 300 pounds and stand three feet at the shoulder; females are about half this size. Bighorn often can be spotted at Big Thompson Canyon and Sheep-Horseshoe Park between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Black bear
Ranging between 5-6 feet long and weighing between 200-600 pounds, black bears are an impressive sight. Despite their bulk, they easily can outrun a human being. The good news is that they are rarely seen, as they avoid people. Only about 20-24 black bears remain in the park with the few sightings occurring in the backcountry.
Mountain lions
Males stretch up to eight feet long and weigh 200 pounds; they can jump 18 feet high and 40 feet long in a single bound. Rare to see, they are most frequently spotted on park's west side, especially near rocky canyons and meadows. An estimated 20-30 mountain lions live in the park.
Coyotes
About three to four feet long and weighing 20 to 50 pounds, coyotes are much smaller than wolves. With a reputation as survivors, they thrive in a park where concerted efforts at the beginning of the 20th century were made to remove them and wolves; the effort with wolves succeeded. Coyotes usually feed on rodents and deer but have been observed pack hunting bighorn lambs and ewes.
Pika
Small mammals that look like hamsters, pikas actually are more closely related to rabbits. Weighing a mere six ounces, they sit on rock outcroppings and talus slopes near the treeline, especially around Rock Cut on the 0.6 miles round-trip Tundra Communities Trail off of Trail Ridge Road.
Yellow-bellied marmot
This cute member of the squirrel family can weigh 11 pounds and are up to two feet long. They hibernate about 200 days a year. Living in colonies, Rock Cut and the Tundra Communities Trail is a great place to spy them.
Tips for seeing wildlife
You can improve your chances of seeing wildlife at the park by:
• Getting up early – Animals are most active at sunrise from sunrise until 10 a.m. and then at sunset from 4 p.m. until dark.
• Opting for clouds – Cooler, cloudy days are better than sunny days, but if rain or snow is falling, don't expect to see many if any at all.
• Seeking dark spots in the grass – Along with antlers just above the grass, these are two good signs that an animal is there. Be patient and wait for it to rise or see if you can get to higher ground for a better view.
• Refusing to seek the animal’s attention – Yelling, honking or throwing a rock at an animal will cause it to run rather than look your way. To get a better view, bring a binoculars or use the telephoto lens on your camera.
Learn more about the park's day hiking trails in my Best Sights to See at Rocky Mountain National Park.
