THE NORM
Cold, gray or snowy days are not uncommon but neither are warm sunny days. Dramatic changes in weather can happen quickly. Sandhill Cranes can be heard flying overhead as they head south for the winter. Trees have lost their leaves. Animals that are active year-round can still be seen along park trails or the entrance road. Those that hibernate won't be seen again until spring. Elk head for lower elevations and may be seen on the entrance road. Visitation is usually low except on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. By mid-month the fees are collected in the visitor center instead of the entrance station.

NOVEMBER 2009
November is starting warmer and sunnier than October ended. Highs in the 50's and 60's are expected for the first week.  Fall color is mostly over, with many brown leaves littering the ground. Coyotes, chipmunks, and Abert's Squirrels have been active on the Main Loop Trail. Elk and mule deer have been seen on the mesatops. Visitation has been slow.