The Beaver Mountain Loop, Beaver Meadows Loop and Moraine Park Trails pass through the heart of Rocky Mountain's montane zone. A high water table under Beaver Meadows creates fine, moist soil conditions that do not effectively support tree growth. These meadow-creating conditions are perpetuated over time by grazing and natural fires. Surrounding slopes, where soil conditions improve, support ponderosa woodlands, aspen, Douglas fir, and lodgepole pine. This patchwork of meadow and forest provides rich habitat for elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, badger, fox, and coyote.

Young elk square off, a prelude to more aggressive encounters during the mating rut

Mt Chapin, Mt Chiquita, and Ypsilon Mountain nudge over the horizon from Deer Ridge Junction

While many elk aim for higher elevations in the summer, Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park attract large numbers all year long

Aspens fill a damp, slender meadow on the east flank of Beaver Mountain

Beaver Meadows' mild grades and sunny, open space offer 4-season running, hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities

Large tracts of open space are broken by thin bands of pine in Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park

An elk roams in front of Longs Peak (14,259')

Agitated elk sometimes 'box' with their front hooves to defend territory and simulate more aggressive mating behavior

Fire and grazing maintain space between trees that's vital to a healthy ponderosa park ecosystem

Coyotes are frequently seen hunting in the meadows

Sage brush prairies in upper Beaver Meadows are home to badger and coyote

Continental Divide panoramas all along the Beaver Meadows and Beaver Mountain Loop trails

This damp, grassy meadow on the north side of the Beaver Mountain Loop is a good place to find bear

View from Beaver Mountain - 'virga' forms over the meadows

Open sage fields between pockets of aspen, poderosa, lodgepole and Douglas fir

This coyote poses no threat to the much larger and more numerous elk

View southwest from the Beaver Mountain Trail's highest point

Moraine Park

Longs Peak looms over Moraine Park