Bugle in the Dark: Hike + Elk Rut + Dinner
Details
BUGLE IN THE DARK
Saturday, September 19 · 2:00pm – 10:00pm
Three days before the equinox. Peak elk rut in Rocky.
We hike Gem Lake for golden hour, walk down as the light goes, then drive into the park and pull over at Moraine Park. Lights off. Nobody talks.
Bull elk bugle at each other across that meadow all night in September. It's the loudest thing the mountains do all year, and it sounds like nothing else. We stand in the cold and listen for 45 minutes without saying a word.
Then we break our silence and go eat. Bring a chair to chill out with and listen to the music.
The day
2:00 Carpool leaves Denver (location in comments). We leave on time. Fall traffic through Lyons is unpredictable and the elk don't wait.
4:00 Lumpy Ridge Trailhead
4:15 Up to Gem Lake. 3.4 miles round trip, 1,000 feet of gain, stone stairs most of the way up. Moderate but steeper than the mileage suggests.
5:30 Gem Lake. Sit. Longs Peak and the valley go gold.
6:15 Head down. Headlamps for the last stretch.
7:20 Moraine Park. Lights off. Silence.
8:05 Break silence.
8:30 Dinner at The Rock Inn. Log tavern, live music, real food.
10:00 Head back home / vibe
Bring
Headlamp with Red Light Function (preferred)
Water and a snack
Hat, gloves, puffy. Dress for 35 degrees and standing still, because that's what you'll be doing.
Something to sit on
Money for dinner
Park pass required. Bring your America the Beautiful pass or buy a day pass online before you drive up. One pass covers the whole car, so coordinate with your carpool. https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Rules at the meadow. We stay at the road. The meadows close to foot travel after 5pm during the rut, and the elk are closer than you think in the dark. Stay by the cars, 75 feet back, no flash photography.
Logistics:
Please join the Bugle in the Dark group in our UC Whatsapp group. Drivers sound off. I'll be one of them.
Cap is 14 and there's usually a waitlist. If your plans change, drop your spot so someone else can take it.