Fall in Rocky Mountain National Park

It’s fall in the higher elevations of Colorado, which means our weekends are full of leaf peeping road trips. Rocky Mountain National Park is usually our first stop; not only are there large clusters of bright yellow aspens spread throughout the mountainside, but it’s also the same time as the elk rut.

Less than five minutes upon entering the national park, we spotted a herd right next to the road! The male was rubbing his head on a tree while the others grazed in a nearby meadow. The buck actually bugled a couple times, which is such an incredible thing to experience – especially being so close! 

Dave and I continued up Trail Ridge Road, turning around at the Alpine Visitor Center. The weather actually felt like fall – we just had to climb around 12,000 feet to feel it! After grabbing lunch in Estes Park it was time to head back home to summertime in the plains. We looked forward to next weekend for another autumn adventure – and hopefully get a another break from the heat!