Rocky Mountain National Park

Over 30% of Rocky Mountain National Park's wilderness is Alpine Tundra.  This was, by far, the highlight for us.  Other than that, besides catching a glimpse at a Big Horn Sheep nursery in the hills and some pretty awesome pictures of elk, (and a quick sighting of a moose!), there was little "wildlife" or "wilderness" felt here.  It is what I'm calling a "backyard" park.  With Boulder, Ft. Collins, and the Denver metropolis so close, this is a Colorado park for Colorado families, and it feels that way.  Wolves and Grizzlies are long gone.  The elk population is managed by yearly ranger kills, and fences are up all through the park to restore riparian areas damaged by overgrazing and overpopulation.  Black bears are more an annoyance than an actual resident.  The views were gorgeous but in the end, we packed up and headed out a day early.  Then again, we were just coming from Yellowstone.  So perhaps in never even got a fair shot.

    

Yellowstone: The Ultimate Wilderness: Landscape

Yellowstone: The Ultimate Wilderness: Bison

The electrifying sight of a bison is mingled with an awe of prehistoric reverence.  How such a gentle-looking animal can be so treacherous is again part of its incredible and mysterious beauty.

Yellowstone: The Ultimate Wilderness: Grizz vs. Wolf

Going to Yellowstone is like a pilgrimage as the entire ecosystem is fully intact.  Although at one time broken, the reintroduction of wolves twenty years ago repaired the damage and the circle of life is indeed in full force.  We were lucky witnesses to the testament that wilderness is a gift to be observed from the shadows, and that it goes on at its best and exactly as it should without the hand of mankind meddling in its processes.  The wolf and bear fight over an elk carcass; a likely wolf kill that the grizzly dare not give up without a fight.  The wounded coyote hobbles in and calculates from afar, retreating with the realization that it cannot justly compete.  The eagle swoops in and stands vigil until opportunity presents itself.  The ravens irritate and the cranes pace.  The two bears compete for the feast.  The wolf is finally allowed also to partake.  We watch humbly and gratefully upon a scene of which we cannot imagine ever happening before us again.  The sun sets.  We retreat.  The animals continue to feed.

Yellowstone: The Ultimate Wilderness: (Bursting) Geysers, (Boiling) Hot Springs, and (Bubbling) Mudpots

These various death traps are just as intoxicating as they are frightening.  They are hypnotic and strange, leaving an eerie yet addictive sense of loss and fulfillment inside.  They are quixotic and wonderful, deathly and elegant.  No amount of poetic contradictions can encase their utter wildness and wonderment for me.  I cannot help but stare at the brilliant beauty while at the same time shudder at the thought of the gruesome grave.  They are magical and maddening.