Every September and October, a haunting sound echoes through Colorado's mountain valleys. Bull elk bugle - a high-pitched whistle followed by deep grunts - challenging rivals and advertising to cows. It's one of nature's most dramatic spectacles, and Colorado is one of the best places in the world to witness it.
During the rut, bulls gather harems of cows and defend them aggressively from other males. You'll see massive bulls with racks spanning five feet strutting, sparring, and occasionally fighting. Antlers clash, bulls throw their heads back to bugle, and the competition plays out in meadows and even on golf courses.
Estes Park is the easiest place to watch the rut. Elk wander into town, graze in yards, and hold forth on the local golf course. Rocky Mountain National Park offers more wilderness settings. The combination of fall colors, crisp air, and wild elk makes this prime Colorado season.