Beware of Drop Elk

A few weeks ago, I was up in Rocky Mountain National Park hiking around from Fern Lake to Cub Lake. I saw the strangest thing..

I swear to you, I saw an Elk in a tree. It was sort of snorting at me as I hiked by, and I'd guess it was about 50 yards away or so.. it was sort of high up there in a pine, and I can't figure out how it got there. There was also something hanging in the tree from a large branch. It almost looked like a cocoon, but very large. I'd say, about the length of the Elk itself.

After my hike was over, I asked a ranger about seeing an Elk in a tree, and he thought I was crazy. I even told him I'm local, as to not sound like a tourist..

So, yesterday while hanging out with friends around the fire, I brought up that Elk.

I was told by a guy who has lived in Estes since the late 50's that there is a type of Elk, called a Drop Elk. He went on to tell me that a Drop Elk is very dangerous... and it will fall out of a tree and onto it's prey, pretty much knocking it out with the the Elk's weight alone. Once the victim is out cold, the Drop Elk will eat it!!

I could not believe what I was hearing! He didn't know much else about it, and has never seen one himself, but swears that once in awhile a story comes out about an encounter with a Drop Elk.

Just wish I had my camera with me.