It’s ram rut season!

Mid-to-late November is the time of year when Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep are in “rut”. Like in elk and deer, the term rut refers to the breeding season when males compete to secure access to herds of females. Male sheep (called rams) engage in boisterous behaviors like butting heads, courting females (ewes), and scaling canyon walls. They can smack heads at up to 40 mph, making crackling booms echo throughout the canyon. No wonder they’re called rams!

Sights on Cycles

To give us the best chance of finding the sheep herd, we will be bicycling into the canyon for this program. A naturalist from the Conservancy will lead the group on a bike ride to search for the sheep. We may cycle a very short distance, or several miles (up to 9 round-trip miles maximum) on the flat gravel trail. When we find the herd, we’ll hop off our bikes and spectate the sheep drama from a safe distance. It is important to give bighorn sheep plenty of space, especially during the rut, so we recommend bringing binoculars or a camera to get a close view. We will provide a wildlife viewing scope that everyone can share.

Accessibility

Need a ride into the canyon? We are partnering with Cycling Without Age Littleton to make this adventure more accessible. CWAL will bring two trishaws to this program with space for up to 3 non-cycling passengers. These spaces are for anyone who cannot currently ride a bicycle but can sit in a trishaw. You can visit CWAL’s website for photos of the trishaws to see if they would be an option for your needs. Please join us!

Details:

• Date: Saturday, Nov 15
• Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
• Location: Waterton Canyon
• Parking: 12437-12489 Waterton Canyon, Littleton, CO 80127
• What to bring: Cyclists: bring your bike and helmet. Helmets are required (just because rams can safely smack their heads into stuff doesn’t mean you can). Everyone, including trishaw riders: Bring water and wear clothing comfortable for whatever the weather. Grab binoculars or a camera if you have one.
• Accessibility: There are pit toilets available at the trailhead and in several places along the trail. The trail is flat, wide, and made from crushed gravel.
  • There will be two trishaws supplied by Cycling Without Age Littleton joining us. Each trishaw sits 2 riders with one driver. These trishaws are reserved for registrants who are not cycling on their own bike.
• Pets: Dogs are not permitted in the canyon to protect the sheep. Please leave your pets at home.