The First Storm

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Life, that thin rope so easily cut, and getting thinner with age.  Don’t hike alone, the warning signs so glibly advise.  But for me the option is not to hike.  To obey every rule affecting my safety is not prudent in my opinion.  I have goals that are greater than long life. 

I’ve hiked in rain before; I have the right gear; I can do this.  And it might clear up!  Then the air will be clean, views superb, wildlife active.  I didn’t head up any rugged trail for the high country today, but settled for an easy route to Taggart and Bradley Lakes, with a ready escape should things get nasty.  Snow has fallen on Grand Teton, but here it’s just a light rain.  

Hiking beside a rapidly flowing creek, the sounds of animals are nearly impossible to hear.  Startled bears or moose are dangerous here, not because they are aggressive, but because they react quickly to threats.  So I make noise to warn them of my approach in places where visibility is short.  I don’t know who was more startled when I came around a curve, having neglected to shout.  He raised up quickly with a snort just a hundred feet away. 

More people are attacked by moose than by bears and wolves combined.  The rut is the most dangerous time, when bulls fight over cows and anyone is a threat to his harem.  And October is in the rut.  They are most likely to attack if their "personal space" has been encroached upon.  Moose are very limber animals with flexible joints and sharp, pointed hooves, able to kick with both front and back legs.  They employ body language, warning signs prior to attack.  Eye contact is usually the first sign of aggression, while laid-back ears or a lowered head is a definite sign of agitation.  If the hairs on the back of a moose's neck and shoulders stand up, a charge is usually imminent.   

I looked around and saw a cow moose down over the left side of the trail, and another cow up the hillside to the right.  

I stood still, stared at the bull, and tried to look big and foreboding.  The bear spray, which I always carry on the strap of my pack, was quickly in my hand, and the safety was off.  The bull moose just stared at me.  I made no sign of either attacking him or running away.  Our eyes locked as we sized each other up.    

About a minute passed before he started walking my way.  Head lowered, he lumbered down the hillside above the trail, straight for me.  At this point I started backing slowly away, keeping eye contact, clicking pictures all the time, bear spray  ready.    

Then he stopped (left picture).  Something interested him in the direction of the cow to the left of the trail (right picture).   

Now the cow approached him,  and he seemed more interested.  

They turned to me as if to pose for the camera—a sweet couple.  Or else they were saying, ”Privacy please.”  The other cow seems to say “I want some too.”   

They nuzzle each other on cheek and lip.  See how she raises one front leg in feminine satisfaction.  

She finally walks back down the hill, and her bull stands on the trail, looking at me again.  I wait for him to move away so I can pass, but he stands there for a long time, perhaps saying, “For what you have witnessed, I will now take a big chunk of your day.”