THE RUT

If you’ve spent time in the Colorado high country in the fall, you’ve probably heard it. The eerie, otherworldly sound of a bull elk’s bugle echoing through a canyon or across at meadow at dawn. Equal parts whistle, roar, and scream, it’s haunting and enchanting all at once. Hearing this, you’ll know you’ve encountered an elk in “the rut” – the annual mating season when bulls (male elk) compete for cows (female elk).

The bugle is the bull elk’s way of saying two things at once: “Don’t mess with me because I’m a badass” and “ Ladies, look no further, I’m right here.” It’s a declaration of dominance, and a show of size and stamina that warns off challengers while calling in mates. The pitch, length, and volume of the call all carry information about the bull’s size and strength.

During the rut, bulls work tirelessly to build harems of cows, all while fending off competitors circling the edges, hoping to sneak one away. Rival males may escalate from bugling to antlers clashing, but often the sound alone keeps nature’s bar fight at bay.

An elk’s bugle is a wild sound. One that must be witnessed firsthand to truly appreciate its raw energy. This time of year, you’re most likely to catch it just after dawn or in the cool hours of the evening, when elk are most active. It’s unforgettable: the voice of a season, and a reminder that fall in the Rockies is alive with ancient ritual.

For a taste without leaving home, listen in on a few local Evergreen accounts capturing the sounds of the rut here and here.

MOUNTAINFILM

As a reminder, Foothill Crew has partnered with Mountainfilm on Tour: Evergreen as the official media partner for this year’s film fest. The festivities kick off this Friday and Saturday, and I hope to see many of you there. Full details and link to purchase tickets in the featured event below. It’ll be two great evenings of inspiring films and mountain stoke.

I’ll be attending both nights, and sporting my trusty Foothill Crew cap, so if you see it, come over and say hello!

THE BRIEFING

Sunrise 6:56 AM
Sunset 6:44 PM
Fire Bans - None
Days until ski season - 24
(Wolf Creek opening Oct. 24)

Photography- Murals of Golden

Want a Featured Event? Reach out and say hello.

Care to submit an event? Send it here.

Mountainfilm on Tour Evergreen is bringing the spirit of adventure and the outdoors to our community this Friday and Saturday. With a unique lineup of inspiring and challenging short films, you’ll be certain to leave each night feeling stoked and ready to take on your next adventure. Door open at 5:30pm – with small bites and cash bar – and showtime starts at 6:30pm each night. There’s still some tickets remaining, so grab ‘em below.

TUESDAY

Floyd Hill, Evergreen- Jeffco Mountain Bike Club weekly ride, 5pm. Send it

Celebration Plaza, Golden- Golden Bicycle Cruise, 5:30-9pm. Zombies Themed

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Trickster Tuesday Family Magic Show, 7-9pm. Laughs

WEDNESDAY

Colorado Mountain Club, Golden- Fueling the Summit: Nutrition strategies for adventures, 5-6:15pm. Workshop

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Front Range Bike Expo, 5-8pm. New wheels

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

THURSDAY

The Golden Mill, Golden- Denver Beer Co Princess Yum Yum Drink Pink campaign, 4-6pm. Good Cause

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

Golden Public Library, Golden- Ukulele Thursdays, 6-9pm. Jam out

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open.

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Bill McKay Band, 6-9pm. Rock on

The Woodcellar, Golden- The Almighty Open Mic Night, 7-11pm. Show off

FRIDAY

Hooga House, Golden- Friday Morning Flow, 7-9am. Contrast Therapy

Meyer Ranch Open Space, Conifer- Meadow and forest hike with Mountain Area Land Trust, 9-11am. Tag along

6th St, Georgetown- Leaf Peeper’s Market, 10am-3pm. Farmers Market

Center Stage, Evergreen- Mountainfilm on Tour: Evergreen (Night 1) 6:30pm showtime. Stoked

Golden- The Talking Dead: Haunted Pub Crawl, 6:30-9:30pm. Spooky

Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden- Colorado Rails & Cocktails: American Hobo, 7pm. Travel back in time

Goosetown Station, Golden- Live music ft. The People’s Kingdom, 6:30pm. Funky grooves

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- Static Heads, 8pm. Colorado Rock band

SATURDAY

Golden Library Parking Lot, Golden- FINAL Golden Farmers Market, 8am-1pm. Fresh

The Ridge at Hiwan, Evergreen- Neighborhood Garage Sale, 9am-1pm. Find some treasures

Parfet Park, Golden- Yoga in the Park, 9-10am.

Hiwan Park, Evergreen- Outdoor Yoga with Free Range Yoga, 9-10am. Stretch it out

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow state

Olde Town, Arvada- Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair, 10am-5pm. Young entrepreneurs

Tony Grampsas Sports Complex, Golden- Golden Wine Festival, 11am-5pm. All about the tannins

Cannonball Creek, Golden- Spooky Market, 12-3pm. Come on down

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Mountain Magic Band, 1-5pm. High energy

LUKI Brewery, Arvada- Oktoberfest Wood Burning Arts Workshop, 3-6pm. Hands on

Center Stage, Evergreen- Mountainfilm on Tour: Evergreen (Night 2) 6:30pm showtime. Stoked

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- CAE’s 50th Anniversary Golden Gala, 6-9pm. Bring out the tux

SUNDAY

Golden Mill, Golden- Keg Conditioning with Unite Fitness, 9:30-10:30am. Get fit

Golden Outpost, Golden- Country Market, 10am-3pm. Yeehaw

Golden History Museum & Park, Golden- Autumn Fest, 10am-3pm. Fun for the fam

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Gear Swap with live music from Rapidgrass, 12-4pm. Outdoor goods

Mad Mack’s Brewing, Golden- Dog Adoption Event, 1-5pm. Find a good home

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

MONDAY

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

10th Mountain Division soldiers training at Camp Hale, 1943.

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See you around the next bend!