Elk Creekers during the summer, either as ranchers or trekkers, rarely lay eyes on elk. Our best hope is on our backpacks, packtrips, and treks in the high country of the Northern Absaroka Mountains. During the winter, especially during March and April, the elk return to the lower reaches of Sunlight and are a constant and wonderful presence around and on the ranch.

The elk are always on the move. Native Wyomingites blame the wolves for the “vigilance” of the elk, but they also are looking for the best exposure to the sun, for space from people, for protection from the wind, and for good feed. Whatever the reasons, the elk pass through Elk Creek Ranch most days, finding some grass, sun, and temporary safety, before moving on around Steamboat and into Dead Indian Creek and around to Marvin’s Ridge.

In January Susan and Hap stumbled upon a lone cow elk hunkered down under a cedar tree along Sunlight River. They worried that she was injured or ailing, for the cow at first barely moved. In time she struggled to her feet and gave them this unsettling look. They left wondering what would happen to her, but she kept reappearing. One day she was with a group of deer. Another day found her in the pasture with the Elk Creek horses.  She covered lower Elk Creek over the next two months. She was enough of a presence that they gave up their fears for her, and the family named her Eloise.

We are cheating with this picture, but the magnificence of the bull “in felt” begged for a bit of latitude. We came across him in Yellowstone several springs ago. He was one of a group of young bulls (“hanging with the boys”) browsing for feed. While he was not at Elk Creek Ranch, he was on, or very close to, Yellowstone’s Elk Creek, so we claimed him in spirit.