This throwback picture from 1917 shows an elk taking a dip in Steamboat Springs. People gathered around to watch the elk warming himself up in the hot springs.

We're taking it back to the hot springs in Steamboat Springs back in 1917. It was a snowy day in February of 1917 when a Colorado elk decided to take a dip in some local hot springs. This is how it all happened.

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A bull elk got separated from his herd and wandered into Steamboat Springs. A couple of dogs started chasing him and that's when he ran toward the bathhouse, jumped the railing and then landed in the pool, according to the Historical Photos of Fruita & Western Colorado's Facebook.

The elk swam in the hot springs until once he realized that no one was chasing him and stopped in the shallow end. He looked around at his surroundings, probably trying to figure out what just happened and where he was.

The U.S. Forest Service came and retrieved the elk from the hot springs after a few attempts -- I guess he really liked that warm water on a cold February day in Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service used a transfer sled to take the elk to Elk Park where he joined the other members of his tribe, according to the Historical Photos of Fruita & Western Colorado's Facebook.

Now we'll never forget that time an elk jumped into the hot springs in Steamboat Springs. (Because after reading this and seeing the picture, how could you?)

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