What better way to celebrate the month of love than by exploring animal magnetism right here in the Backcountry Wilderness Area? In the wild, choosing a mate is serious business. Strength, stamina, loyalty, and even a little flair all come into play. Two of our most iconic species — elk and golden eagles — put on some of the most impressive courtship displays you’ll ever see. Let’s take a closer look. Elk: Bugles, Battles, and Bachelor Drama If you’ve spent time in the Backco

Thinking about settling in for a long winter’s nap? Many animal species that call Colorado home already settled in some time ago! Here in the Backcountry Wilderness Area, there are a multitude of wildlife species: elk, mule deer, coyote, fox, bobcat, mountain lion, black bear, porcupine, insects, lepidoptera (butterflies & moths), bats, and birds ... to name just a few. Not all these animals are adapted to survive winters in our climate. Animals either hibernate or migrate, r