For years we’ve played a family road-trip game in Colorado of “Elk, Deer, Antelope”. Basically the goal is to be first to see one of each on a trip, and we stretch this to include Bighorn Sheep/Moose when the country allows. Seeing deer is easy, they are often grazing up on the hillside, and Elk (when seen) are often in big herds, so stand out. Pronghorn are the most elusive because even when in plain sight they blend in so well.

Pronghorns Galore

I find them almost out of place on the Colorado plains, as if they came over from Africa and chose to stay (like me from the UK.) They are impressive (the second fastest land animal) and it is hard to see what natural predators they have out here. Watching them bolt, full speed across the ground, is a treat. Normally the stand or sit (bedded) and watch you go by w/o noticing them. Again, their coloring helps them blend in.

My tip for seeing Pronghorn is to visit here in the winter:

Eleven Mile State Park, CO

This is an impressive park, especially in the winter. The reservoir is large, and the park around it sits in the open plains exposed to the elements, and most rugged. The ice seem peaceful (as do the groups of ice fishermen) but on a warm CO winter day there are still wonders to see. Amusingly I’ve come across ‘wild’ herds of donkey and llamas on two trips; both coming to visit the car out of curiosity. Harrier scoured the land looking for small rodents. A barren landscape, but a good snowshoe (and possibly cross country ski) spot.

Last year I saw hundreds (quite possibly a thousand) of these guy on one afternoon. I drove the loop from Lake George to here and back (going the back roads) and did an almost 360 around the lake (as  much as roads & some trails allowed.) I started by seeing one or two herds of Pronghorn up on the hills, but soon I was in the thick of them. Both sides of the road, in small/large groups, crossing the road. Everywhere. WOW. I guess they’ve found a relatively protected place to winter.

This year I saw only a hundred or so. I suspect the important factor is time of year, last year I was there in March.

Great seeing them.

I took the day off to go do some exploring in Colorado.

I decided to go to Rainbow Lakes to look for moose. A year or so ago my wife, daughter, dogs and I had come upon a mother moose with twins here and I wanted to see if I could encounter some more. I always enjoy the anticipation of believing a critter is there, and actively looking for them. I was not disappointed.

The dirt road was open all the way up to the campground (last time we’d snowshoed from down below) and despite a little snow it was an easy drive. Almost at the camp ground was a field of willows on the left, and up against the trees were two big moose sheltering from 21 degree weather; snow and bitterly cold wind. I watch them from the car without disturbing them, and proceeded on to my hike. Amazing how one brief encounter can really make a day.

I hiked the easy trail to the lakes seeing nobody else, and little but squirrel and other rodent tracks. I couldn’t quite stop myself heading up to the bowl above but I didn’t see any ptarmigan or other critters that I hoped I might. Frankly, I think “only mad dogs (Otto) and Englishmen (me) go out in the midday snowstorm.” (BTW: I had GPS and a lot of survival gear, and a big black dog for company, so I’d taken precautions.) Anyway, I am sure Rainbow Lakes is a crowded family/fishing spot in the summer, but today it was a wonderfully secluded winter wonderland. I’d recommend enjoying it before the gate is closed or the road gets too covered.

On the way home I saw some skittish elk [5] near Nederland, and I hope to see the large herd at the bottom of Coal Creek Canyon when I go down next.

A bit cold and blustery, but a beautiful day in Colorado. One to welcome in winter, and enjoy our wildlife neighbors.