Howdy everybody,
Today, my girlfriend took her kids down to Hamilton for a multiple birthday party. I took the opportunity for another bicycle ride up Miller Creek to my favorite no motorized access area up there to do more elk scouting. I did the grueling three mile climb a little quicker this time than the last time. When up on top, I would post up at some viewing point where I can see many ridges and lots of lush open parks on the ridges. There is deep plunging draws that have water and are heavily timbered and thick with brush.
I was seeing elk off at a distance. Closest elk was about a half a mile away and I saw a couple herds near the top of some ridgelines about a mile away. Couldnt see anything closer, but I noticed all the elk I saw were on the south face at the top of the ridges. Based on that, I decided to walk up the ridge behind me and take a look see.
I left my bicycle and walked along the logging road to get into a draw and then fallow that draw in some cover to the top of the ridge. At least that was the plan. While walking a long a road a saw a dead snake on the side of the road. The snake was a Yellow Bellied Racer, but instead of being green in color, it was blue. It had a hole through the middle of it so I assume somebody shot it with a 22.
I came to the draw when a thought came accross mind. I rembered the Warden telling me yesterday, "I wouldnt even get out of my car in this area without bear spray". Of course, that was in an entireley different area than I was now in, but I became conscious to the fact that I was as defenseless as a man could be right now.
I turned up into the draw and there was a game trail right up the middle with thick brush on the right side. I walked up about twenty feet when a Bobcat or a lynx emerges from some brush on the left side of the trail. When it appeared, it was less than 10 feet away. It started moving up the bank on my left. I dont know why, but I went for my binoculars and lifted them to my eyes. It took a second to pull the cat into view with my binos but when I did somethin imediately struck me. The cat was grayish colored, but had a long tail. Then, at about 10 yards away, it turned and looked back.
I found my self looking into the face of a cute, cuddly and fuzzy mountain lion cub. The funny thing is that it wasnt warm and fuzzy feelings I was suddenly feeling. It was looking back in my direction but it wasnt looking at me. My eyes spun 360 degrees around my head like the windows in the space needle. The cub was looking over my right shoulder, but I couldnt see three feet in front of me in that direction.
I started backing my way down the trail both quickly and slowly at the same time. I was looking all around in the plethora of hiding places all around me. I was also looking for a big stick or something to pick up and I readied myself for a heavey hit. As I backed down the trail, the cub just sat there watching. I could hear the squirels and chipmunks, the bird and insects. I could hear their every step.
When I reached the road, I backed to the far side because now if she comes at me, at least I'll see her coming. I then started back down the road toward my bike. I was watching all around me and anticipating the flutter of heavey footsteps.
Upon reaching my bike I snagged it up, hopped on and headed down the road. I wasnt to excited about watching the elk any more today, so I rode the four miles back to my car without stopping.
Fun Day
You all have a great day tomorrow
