Boy, did we some of gorgeous stretch of weather in Estes Park. I felt like spring was just around the corner. To celebrate the great weather, I decided to hike the Cub Lake Trail with my binoculars. Birding was my main reason for being on the trail, even though I knew it was a wee bit early for spotting birds that had migrated back to this area. I had previously been going to Estes Lake and had very little luck for spring birds… but that is the fun with birding. You really never know when you will see the unexpected.
 
It was really a beautiful day as I started my hike. The hike began with some snow on the trail, but by the time I had made the turn where the Marmot hang out, there was no snow left on the trail. No marmots as I canvassed the area with my binoculars to try see my first marmot of the season. I won’t bore you with every step of the way on the Cub Lake Trail, but the day was really special and the photography was exceptional that day. No gloves, no hat, lightweight jacket. What more could you ask for, especially in March? This was a special type of day that made you realize why you lived in Estes Park. I even expected to have at least one photograph that I was going to enjoy (not too often I come back with a photograph that I would print and hang on the wall of my home). And low and behold, I was correct. I can now remember that particular day because there is a framed photograph and hung on my wall. Very successful day, for sure.
 
But that is not why I am writing the story, for it was the experience after the hike that made the most lasting impression on me that day. As I was leaving the Cub Lake Trailhead, I drove down the road about 200 yards and the female herd of Elk had moved into the area. No matter how many times I see the Elk, the mountains or any other type of wildlife; I never become tired of seeing the Estes Park area. That is why I moved here and I am sure that is why many of you moved here. But this time it was different… very different. There were big collars… numbered collars and big radios on so many of the herd that I stopped counting the number of radios. I couldn’t even enjoy the moment and I couldn’t even photograph the herd. And I am sure; this is not why visitors from all over the USA and even the world come to RMNP. They come to see wildlife in the wild and how can they even pick up their camera and photograph the Elk?
 
I can just hear my grandson asking me this summer, “Why do the Elk have collars and radios on them?” Then I will have to give him a lengthy explanation of the reasons behind the collar, how mankind seems to interfere with the balance of nature (not only in RMNP, but in just about every area of the world). And how to you explain to a young 4 year old in a way to not affect his view of mankind? Very difficult for sure! How many visitors are going to have to explain to their children and grandchildren this year when they visit RMNP? How many visitors are going to have to explain to their friends when they show them their photographs of the Elk in RMNP? How many more Blogs are going to written on the Internet about the Elk situation in RMNP? How will the Elk situation affect business and tourism in Estes Park? That might be something the new candidates for mayor and for trustees should be thinking about, too. People respond to situations in their town for 2 reasons… $$$ and because they are really concerned. If the Elk situation becomes a financial blow to the Estes Park economy, I am sure more people will be more vocal about the Elk. I was an entrepreneur for my whole life, started multiple companies and never once went against my beliefs for the sake of $$$.
 
Boy, a lot of stuff was racing through my head when I saw those Elk with their radio collars! I had even forgotten the Cub Lake Trail hike that I had just finished. This was more important to me and I couldn’t stop my thoughts. The winter had been hard on the herd as many of the Elk had lost a lot of weight… and the babies were really small and thin. My thoughts jumped to the inner city children in the USA. They wake up, look out the windows of their apartments and sometimes see no hope. I knew a lot of those people as I used to drive through the inner cities each day on my way to work in my first company. I saw the look in their eyes when I offered them their first job... and I offered many their first job. It was their first step on the way out of their hopeless situation.
 
Now, I could only picture those baby Elk saying to their moms, “Mom, What am I going to be when I grow up? Will I be wearing a collar like you?”
 
I drove away. It didn’t turn out to be the great day that I expected it to.