It was a cold, misty morning, ideal moose viewing conditions. We were out walking before sunrise, hoping to spot that elusive Bullwinkle. Off in the distance we saw the dim outlines of grazing animals, approaching cautiously, only to discover horses foraging in the adjacent field.
Perched on a wooden fencepost, a magpie watched as we approached the field, then spread its fanlike wings to sail skyward.
We left the Fireside property, crossing the highway and following what we thought was a wide concrete walking path that lead to an open field and small frozen lake. It took us a minute to realize we were actually walking the cart path of a golf course, one with alot of water hazards and amazing views of the Teton range. Not sure this would be prime moose habitat.
As we circled the path, preparing to head back toward less developed property, we spotted a large horned animal flanked by two smaller companions grazing at the distant edge of the pond. The horns weren’t right for a moose. As we moved closer, we recognized a bull elk and two females.
More and more of the herd assembled, until over twenty animals flanked the dominant male, many contentedly foraging on patches of grass sticking up through thin layer of crusty snow. We slowly approached to get a better view.
Suddenly, something startled the herd; we oberved nothing out of the ordinary but whether due to a warning sound or smell, the elk began running enmasse towards the highway and without so much as a pause, bolted across the road. Vehicles came to an immediate halt and for several minutes, this herd of approximately twenty five animals sprinted across the highway.
Bringing up the rear and ensuring that all herd members were out ahead, was the bull. Local drivers appeared unfazed by the migration – no injured animals, no dented fenders, no blaring horns, no disgruntled drivers, just a quiet acceptance and calm patience for the privledge of cohabitating with wildlife.
We concluded our walk, exhilerated by watching the elk herd move enmasse, but still hopeful a moose was on our agenda. And in fact it was! Not quite the flesh and blood Bullwinkle we’d hope for, but a wooden silhouette serving as a gentle reminder for motorists to beware of moose crossings!
Back at our cabin, we grabbed a quick breakfast, packed and headed out of Jackson Hole. Ascending the overpass, we stopped for a quick look at the lake of clouds that had settled over the valley.
Once we left Jackson Hole for lower elevation, the snow completely disappeared. We followed the Snake River with its brown and yellow vegetated banks. About midway through our drive back to Idaho Falls, we detoured to one of the many natural area to take a short hike to stretch our legs.
The All Trails app directed us to the Kelly Canyon Trail, a short 3.7 mile loop hike near Ririe, Idaho in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest. Hiking through gently rolling hills blanketed with pine and birch forest, we eventually reached the top of a chairlift at a small ski slope. We ate lunch sitting on the wooden platform of the deserted chair lift, delighted to not have to eat on the ground. Nourished and refreshed, we hiked back to the car, then drove back to Idaho Falls to fly home the next morning, thankful that despite COVID, subzero temperatures and few feet of earlier than normal snow, we were able to experience the wonders of Yellowstone and Grand Tetons!
Oct, 2020