Rocky Mountain National Park

[Danell Bags]

I'm heading to Colorado a week from Saturday and will be going to RMNP - Hoping the fall foliage is good at that time. Has anyone been there in the Fall? I also hear that the elk are abundant this time of year. Any tips or suggestions on areas to go. I will be coming from the north and going through Estes Park. Thanks for any advise or suggestions.

[wjburch]

Well I Haven't been there in the fall but in the spring the elk are always at the sheep lakes and also the moraine park areas (both near Estes Park). There is a side road just past the entrance to the moraine visitor center on the right. That should get you pretty close to them. If you have never seen elk in the fall it is really weird hearing them bugle.

Joe

[sparker1]

You need a long lens for the elk in rut. Certain areas where the elk congregate are off-limits, so you can't get as close as normal. The moose are more apt to be on the west side of the park. You may well get into snow at this time of year, but the colors should be good.

[Danell Bags]

Thanks for the suggestions - I have my map out and will take note of where you said to watch for the elk -

I have a 100-400 lens so I hope that will be close enough.

I'll let you know how the trip turns out!

[FlyingPhotog]

I'm heading to Colorado a week from Saturday and will be going to RMNP - Hoping the fall foliage is good at that time. Has anyone been there in the Fall? I also hear that the elk are abundant this time of year. Any tips or suggestions on areas to go. I will be coming from the north and going through Estes Park. Thanks for any advise or suggestions.

Visited there a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.pbase.com/flyingphotog/rmnp08

The Ridge Trail Road was already closed at Mile Post 11 (Rainbow Curve) with 7' drifts at higher elevations...

Magnificent place. If you're not used to elevation, spend some time in Estes Park before heading higher. Altitude sickness is a reality and it can spoil a trip pretty quick. Stay hydrated...

[Danell Bags]

Jay,

Thanks for sharing your pictures from your trip - They're great!

I was beginning to wonder if you saw any wildlife - At least the "one" was accomodating for a few shots.

For getting accustomed to the altitude, I went hiking yesterday at 7,500 feet to see how I would fare. I did okay, but decided my camera pack is way too heavy (30 pounds) and yes, when you go down hill to see the falls, that means you do have to climb back up! So needless to say, after the 1 mile hike down and the 1 mile hike back up, I am feeling it today :o

[chauncey]

Fall colors in the Rockies is very overrated. You have yellow and brown on the Aspens, period.
The elevation won't support the Oaks and Maples.

What you do have is:
The grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, esp. with snow on the upper elevations,
The abundance of wildlife, big and small,
Mountain lakes that give gorgeous reflections during the "golden hours",
The list is endless...unless

Your like me and spend 4 days in the park and have it rain 3 1/2 days. C'est la vie. :lol:

[Keltab]

RMNP is a great [hoto spot all year long. This time of year you will see elk at each end of the park in the meadows areas. We were there two weeks ago and saw over 100 elk between the three primary meadows areas. The closest were in the meadows closest to Grand Lake. As for a great "altitude view" try Rainbow Curve. It is the last rest stop before you hit the part that closes for snow usually. It has great vistas, and it's name is well earned. Also, quite a few chipmunks and pinon jays for some small wildlife - and they pose well! I hope you enjoy your trip and take a lot of pics!

[ComfortablyNumb]

Fall colors in the Rockies is very overrated. You have yellow and brown on the Aspens, period.
The elevation won't support the Oaks and Maples.

What you do have is:
The grandeur of the Rocky Mountains, esp. with snow on the upper elevations,
The abundance of wildlife, big and small,
Mountain lakes that give gorgeous reflections during the "golden hours",
The list is endless...unless

Your like me and spend 4 days in the park and have it rain 3 1/2 days. C'est la vie. :lol:
I concur with chauncey...I was in the park during labor day weekend...beautiful place...good scenic drives...definitely try the Old Fall River Road...during rain it becomes more spectacular and HDR worthy...

Also, if you are in luck, at Alpine Center, if the timing for rain/sun is right, you will see a full rainbow over the valley.

I was lucky to shoot elk photos from a very close distance, I would say about 20-30 feet. The herd had come down to Lake Estes in the morning (6am-8am). They said it was the start of mating season, I guess the males were horny enough to not care about the humans so close ;)

[Kanonenfutter]

Too late for OP, but if anyone else is looking at this - I went yesterday Sunday 10-20 and it was gorgeous. Got there before daylight, was greeted by a curious coyote as I was assembling my gear in the semidark, and my hasty shot with the 70-200 f/2.8 came off well enough to be a personal memento. Gotta love 2.8 in the dark.

Elk were in abundance of course, close enough for P&S in some places, but for the big antlers I was glad I had rented a 500 f/4.5 for the day - too long in many cases, I came away with nice headshots of elk... Elk bulls were calm, observed no rutting.

As often happens, by mid-morning some clouds appeared, so the light kept changing. It was warm for this time and that altitude, mid-30s at 6AM then must have been 60 by noon, although a strong wind made it feel chillier.

Trailridge road was open, bitterly cold of course, shops and visitor center closed but lavatories open. Hardly any snow on the high peaks. Still - great views with clear air, just not as stunning as when there is new snow.

Fall colors aplenty down below, but more so on the drive up from Lyons.

Now we are keeping our fingers crossed that next weekend stays as good as it is forecast for one more trip up there.

A great place, no matter when and how and where you go. One day I'll have to learn how to post pix here so I can show what I mean. Promise...