Never-Ending Herd Of Elk Stops Traffic While Stampeding Across Oregon Road

Sometimes nature can bring you to a dead stop, whether you like it or not.

The silver lining is that this kind of traffic beats your typical gridlock any day of the week. I guarantee you that you’ve never stopped to admire the hundreds of cars in front of you, but you’d likely be happy to put the car in park to watch hundreds of elk stampede across the road.

Animal-induced traffic is more common than you think. If you don’t believe me, you are welcome to check into this traffic jam that was caused by bison, or feel free to watch this video of a parade of elk running across a Montana highway. When you live out in the nature, you’re obviously more likely to cross paths with it. Or in this case, have your path stopped.

This couple was driving in Eastern Oregon when it looked like a moving roadblock was forming up ahead. They slowly brought their vehicle to a stand still, not because they wanted to, but because they didn’t really have any other choice.

Bull elk and cow elk ran together in an endless stream as they jumped one fence, crossed the road and then launched themselves over the fencing on the other side. Most of the wild animals did it with ease, while others had to recalculate and refocus in order to make the jump and continue on with the herd.

And in case you didn’t know, elk are rather speedy animals. They are known to run up to 40 miles per hour, and it certainly looked like some of these elk were reaching their top speed as they all ran together. I’m sure once the large group of elk really got moving – to wherever they were going – they were really able to let their engines run wide open.

Yes, I know that’s a more mechanical reference, but we measure stuff in horsepower, don’t we? What’s wrong with a little elk-power?

All the couple that was filming could do was get comfortable and watch the beauty of nature play out right in front of their eyes. As can you, since they were kind enough to get it on camera (and provide a little commentary). It’s truly a mesmerizing video, especially with the back drop of the mountains behind the elk.

Take a look:

Instead of counting sheep tonight before you go to bed, you can think back on this footage and count elk.

And if you were wondering if that’s a normal amount of elk to be included in a herd, let’s just say it’s not out of the ordinary. Herds have been known to be made up by around 400 elk, especially during the summer months. That’s when the male and female elk come together to form one group.

That’s being said, this video was posted in December of 2022… so not exactly the summer. This herd might have just been an exception to the norm (and a beautiful one at that), and I’m certainly not complaining about it.The post Never-Ending Herd Of Elk Stops Traffic While Stampeding Across Oregon Road first appeared on Whiskey Riff.