Due to heavy ice on a highway bridge in the Coastal Mountains, I was turned back from my planned hike at Sandstone Lake.

As a backup plan, I drove to the Jewell area to see if some Roosevelt elk could be found.

The magnificent animals can typically be spotted in the protected wildlife area. But, I decided to do some hiking nearby.

Sure enough, I found a small herd feeding in an open meadow. They’re always a fine sight to see.

Roosevelt Elk tend to be much more “portly” than their Rocky Mountain Elk cousins which have the bodies of marathon runners

Distinctive whitish rump (wapiti)

Interesting marking on its throat