A Unique BD Present
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 9:07 pm
Work was long and tiring last week and I just didn't feel like putting in the effort for a big peak or marathon hike this weekend, so I just headed to Mammoth and played it by ear. I was a little bummed I wasn't doing a "big peak" or some such thing. I hiked to Cottonwood Pass on my drive northward, and did some nano hikes and offroading in the Jordan Basin yesterday. I hadn't been back to the Red Cones since coming through there on the JMT in 1990, so I did decided to head out from Horseshoe Lake. It was to be an out and back hike, with a little loop at the far end between Crater and Upper Crater Meadows.
The corroboration between signs, maps and trails is just horrible back in the area, and no sooner did I get started, I went off in the wrong direction. I headed on to the Mammoth Pass trail, even though it doesn't really go over the point labeled as Mammoth Pass on my map. Finally found my way back to McCloud Lake and on my way to Upper Crater Meadow. I was unable to find the trail heading along the eastern side of Crater Meadow (which is the JMT) so continued on down the PCT to Crater Meadow. I was on the ascent out of Crater Meadow and had stopped to look at my map to try to figure out where that dang trail junction was. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move... something huge, semi-truck size (as compared to all the other critters that we frequently see scamper across our field of vision). OMG, this was the moment I had anticipated and feared. I wondered how I would react?
I have fished alongside grizzlies in Alaska, seen them from a great distance while hiking, admired them from the somewhat-safety of my vehicle, but this was my first close encounter with Mr. Boo-Boo while hiking. It's a whole new ballgame. And Mr. Boo-Boo was HUGE - at least 600 lbs. OK, I know the mantra "they're more afraid of you than you are of them"... well ok, but why wasn't Mr. Bear moving after spotting me? It's been a dry year, maybe food has been a little lean. Would I look like a nice brunch snack? My destiny was completely in the hands, or paws, of this powerful animal. I was no more than 75 feet away from him. I did a quick scan for cubs. None spotted. Phew. What's my next move? Do I turn on my camera (which has a long delay to turn it on), or do I fold up my map and back away? Back to the question... why didn't Mr. Bear just keep movin' along? I figured I had better fold up the map instead of putting my camera lens into his sight. So, I folded up my map and slowly backed away, prepared to assume the fetal position if necessary. As soon as he heard the crinkling of the map folding, he scampered off, heading up the trail. The massive power that moved up the trail was more than impressive. Now, all this took place in 5 seconds - but it's amazing the number of things that went through my mind.
I continued up the trail (which was also the direction he took off) but never saw him again. I finally found the trail I was looking for, it had a log across it. As I completed my end-loop and trip back to Horseshoe Lake I reflected on the experience, as well as the sightings of deer and a coyote. Although I didn't add a peak to my history, I did add a new trail, and the animal world gave me a very special birthday present with their sightings.
The corroboration between signs, maps and trails is just horrible back in the area, and no sooner did I get started, I went off in the wrong direction. I headed on to the Mammoth Pass trail, even though it doesn't really go over the point labeled as Mammoth Pass on my map. Finally found my way back to McCloud Lake and on my way to Upper Crater Meadow. I was unable to find the trail heading along the eastern side of Crater Meadow (which is the JMT) so continued on down the PCT to Crater Meadow. I was on the ascent out of Crater Meadow and had stopped to look at my map to try to figure out where that dang trail junction was. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw something move... something huge, semi-truck size (as compared to all the other critters that we frequently see scamper across our field of vision). OMG, this was the moment I had anticipated and feared. I wondered how I would react?
I have fished alongside grizzlies in Alaska, seen them from a great distance while hiking, admired them from the somewhat-safety of my vehicle, but this was my first close encounter with Mr. Boo-Boo while hiking. It's a whole new ballgame. And Mr. Boo-Boo was HUGE - at least 600 lbs. OK, I know the mantra "they're more afraid of you than you are of them"... well ok, but why wasn't Mr. Bear moving after spotting me? It's been a dry year, maybe food has been a little lean. Would I look like a nice brunch snack? My destiny was completely in the hands, or paws, of this powerful animal. I was no more than 75 feet away from him. I did a quick scan for cubs. None spotted. Phew. What's my next move? Do I turn on my camera (which has a long delay to turn it on), or do I fold up my map and back away? Back to the question... why didn't Mr. Bear just keep movin' along? I figured I had better fold up the map instead of putting my camera lens into his sight. So, I folded up my map and slowly backed away, prepared to assume the fetal position if necessary. As soon as he heard the crinkling of the map folding, he scampered off, heading up the trail. The massive power that moved up the trail was more than impressive. Now, all this took place in 5 seconds - but it's amazing the number of things that went through my mind.
I continued up the trail (which was also the direction he took off) but never saw him again. I finally found the trail I was looking for, it had a log across it. As I completed my end-loop and trip back to Horseshoe Lake I reflected on the experience, as well as the sightings of deer and a coyote. Although I didn't add a peak to my history, I did add a new trail, and the animal world gave me a very special birthday present with their sightings.
I thought it was tomorrow! 
on the trail! I think my camera would have been going off, whether I get a photo or not! 
The last 
I saw moved so fast I didn't get a chance to grab the camera.
It was only there a few seconds, but seemed like forever. It walked towards my bear canister, then my pack, then walked away. 