Off the Beaton Path

The Endo Valley in Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado is currently a work in progress. Tall fences have been put up across the valley to protect underbrush and willows from overgrazing by elk. A previous flood had eroded a large portion of the valley floor and it has been struggling to re-establish itself. It now serves another purpose, it keeps most humans out as well. This is a key fact in a park that draws nearly 3 million visitors each year.

There used to be trails across the Endo Valley where most anyone could follow. Now, intiminating fences and "Restoration Area" signs greet the average park visitor. Maybe this isn't so bad.

Today, I opened the gate of the tall fence and made my way across the valley floor. I first had to cross a small stream by way of soggy logs. Then, as I carefully avoided the new plant growth, I came upon a larger stream that required rock to rock navigation to forge the stream. Once on the other side, I came upon another fence that had no gate. I decided to crawl under the fence and I was finally across the valley floor and onward toward my goal of the aspens and fir trees at the forested fringe.

I was immediately rewarded with a big bull elk sighting some 20 yards or so in the forest. I was surprised and unable to get the camera out quickly enough to get a picture. After this excitement, I began to notice how the landscape looked, like not many people had come this way. Neat.

Since I discovered this area of the park, I had thought of it as one of my special places. Now more than ever, it is an oasis in a busy park where I can seek out the beauty of nature without having to compete with 50 other people. Shh...don't tell anyone else. It will be our little secret.