A Gentle Walk At About 8000 ft !!

                                                              So What Is It ?

     You have to look at the above picture pretty hard to see what it really is. I went on a 6 hour walk Monday climbing to about 8000 feet. I started at about 5400 feet in elevation. I ended up at the top of a huge ridge covered with snow. It was a beautiful day. The really small flowers are just starting to grow. I walk around the rim and started down a narrow backbone ridge. It was only about 10 to 20 feet wide and cliff drop offs on both sides. I had just left the snow line into the pines along the ridge when 30 yards in front of me was this animal in the thick oak and pines. I really couldn't tell what it was. It kinda startled me to see it. My first thought was it was a bear. I couldn't see its legs or head. I was pretty excited thinking this will be cool to watch. Well as soon as it picked up its head I could see it was a bull moose. They shed their antlers in December so he just had a couple of inches of antler growth. Funny thing though he didn't want to move so I could get down the ridge. He was below me about 30 yards down a decline. I made some noise and tried to get him to move away. He wasn't going anywhere. So being the mountain man that I think I am I started toward him and just kept talking to him. He put his ears back and gave me a 5 yard false charge. Yes that did get my adrenaline going. I backed up to reconsider my options. He was not the least  bit scared of me. I took a few steps forward and tried to get him to move again, and once again his ears went strait back as if to say " Hey I warned you once don't you get it ? "  I slowly backed off going back up hill and found a way to work below him. It was steep and took me an extra 45 minuets to get back below him on the trail. How could you not love his defiance of me getting into his space. I thought that was my trail, but As usual I was wrong. Nature is so cool. I loved the experience and would do it again in a heart beat.
     The next picture is to help you remember that you always have to watch where you set your fanny down even if you are at 8000 feet. Again reminded that it is not my mountain ! Big or small there is always something to prick your butt to remind you to tread lightly. Wow so many lessons in just one 6 hour hike. Oh and just for your info, If you feel something poking you in the butt, it is not always a good idea to reach around with your hand to see what it is. :)
      The few little flowers that were coming up were worth the trip alone." I Love the Mountain" . I came home reminded again how small and insignificant I really am. So thankful for the appreciation for what we have in our back yard.   Hope you have a great day. Get out and enjoy a Wild Day in Utah !
                                                                                                                   The Bear  !!