August 12th
As I was descending in the morning the catitle were moving from their sleeping areas to their grazing grounds. I always try to let them know I am near, but try to hold still so they don’t stampede.
One group was quite alarmed. They made a noisy, crunchy run. After they were done, I met some Nobos breaking camp. I think the cattle probably sped up their morning. It must be disconcerting to be in a tent and hear a herd of cattle stampeding near you.
After a vigorous morning climb, it was mostly downhill. I went from high forest to a mix of sagebrush and clumps of forest. Luckily, I was able to follow Qtip’s footprints most of the way. As I descended the temperature increased. I did manage to surprise some elk.
Later in the day I got close to a moose. It was in a forest fringed meadow surrounded by sagebrush. I entered a short s-curve and where it turned again I saw a large rump and my first thought was that somebody left their horse their. However, I realized it was a moose so I got my camera out to video. It heard me and ran about 30 feet up the meadow. It was a bull. I was talking to it while filming. But I swear I could see it doing “moose math” in its head: “I am 4 times the size of him, I have antlers, and he has a backpack weighing him down…”
He turned to face me. I immediately turned off the camera. Still talking, I made an exit up the trail, nervous that he might follow.
I hiked until dusk. I cowboy camped and was treated to the perseid meteor shower.
backpacking over the hill 