APPENDIX A—GUIDE TO MAMMAL OBSERVATION
Hoofed Mammals
Bighorn (mountain sheep)—Best seen on Sheep Rock south of Poudre Lake; also at Sheep Lake, Shipler and Specimen Mountains, Hallett’s Peak, Mount Alice, Never Summer Range, Mount Ida.
Deer, Mule—Occasional in open pine country, especially early and late in the day. Hillside above Tuxedo Park, Moraine Park, Deer Mountain, Trail Ridge, and Kawuneeche Valley.
Elk, American—At treeline on Trail Ridge, Upper Poudre Valley, and near Lawn Lake in summer; occasionally in Hallowell and Horseshoe Parks during bad weather. Large herds in lower meadows from October to April.
Predatory Mammals
Badger—Occasional in Moraine Park and other open meadow areas.
Bear, black—Uncommon; infrequently observed along roads and trails and in wooded areas throughout the park.
Bobcat—Common, but in ravine country, especially at lower elevations.
Cougar (mountain lion)—Uncommon; occasionally seen above Loch Vale, Horseshoe Park, upper Fall River Valley; typical habitat around Gem Lake.
Coyote—Common, especially in Hallowell Park, lower Cub Lake Valley, Moraine Park, lower Beaver Meadows; signs on Deer and Specimen Mountains.
Fox, red—Fairly common at or above treeline, along the Colorado River, and in the Kawuneeche Valley.
Marten—Occasional at Bear Lake, Haiyaha, Fern-Odessa Trail, Lulu City; usually in spruce-fir forest.
Mink—Occasional along higher streams and lakes like Haiyaha.
Weasel, longtail—Occasionally seen above treeline on Trail Ridge at Rock Cabins and Rock Cut; and at woodpiles in lower meadows.
Gnawing Mammals
Beaver—Workings along Glacier Creek in Glacier Basin, in Hallowell Park, Moraine Park, Lower Hidden Valley, Grand Lake Valley. Seen early or late in the day.
Chipmunks (Colorado and Least)—Common everywhere, especially on Trail Ridge and on Gem Lake Trail.
Cottontail—Only at lower elevations. Fairly common in Hallowell Park, Moraine Park, and Beaver Meadows.
Hare, snowshoe—Occasional in spruce-fir forests and down to about 8,500 feet. Common around Phantom Valley Ranch.
Jackrabbit, whitetail—Uncommon; above treeline on Trail Ridge.
Marmot, yellowbelly—Common everywhere in rocky country, especially on lower Cub Lake Trail.
Mouse, deer—Common everywhere at night; often seen running across road or heard in cabins and tents.
Mouse, western jumping—Uncommon; in dense vegetation along streams.
Muskrat—Often seen at twilight in Sheep Lake and nearby ponds; also in old beaver ponds along lower Cub Lake Trail.
Pika—Fairly common in rockpiles above 9,500 feet, as at Rock Cut on Trail Ridge, along trail on Flattop, above Bear Lake Lodge, and at Longs Peak Boulder Field.
Pocket gopher, northern—Piled diggings evident in most grassland, especially in high country.
Porcupine—Common in ponderosa and lodgepole forests; often encountered on Bear Lake and Grand Lake Highways at night. Dens in rocks.
Squirrel, golden-mantled ground—Common everywhere in rocky country, especially on Trail Ridge, at Bear Lake, and along lower Cub Lake Trail.
Squirrel, Richardson ground—Common everywhere in grassland at middle elevations, especially Moraine Park and Estes parkland.
Squirrel, spruce—Fairly common in spruce-fir forest, especially around Bierstadt Lake, Cub Lake, Brinwood to Pool, upper Hidden Valley, Wild Basin, and lower Lawn Lake Trail.
Squirrel, tassel-eared—Occasional in ponderosa pines at Sheep Lake, Tuxedo Park, and Gem Lake Trail.
Cougar.