While I was out looking for wildflowers last week in the San Juans I happened across a family of Moose -- 4 in all, including a large bull along with a calf and two cows. I surprised them while I was driving up to the West Fork trailhead at around 6am. They were really skittish and by the time I had the right lens on the camera all I could see were rears. I was just curious if anyone else had encountered any Moose in that part of the state, it just seemed a bit odd to me.
I haven't been out to the San Juans recently, but I can report that Moose are spreading through the state. There have been two sightings this Spring/Summer in Golden Gate Canyon State Park, one at Los Lagos ponds (across from Kelly Dahl campground just south of Nederland), and I saw a momma Moose with two young 'uns south of Ward the same day as one of the Golden Gate Canyon sightings (meaning not the same Moose...). Moose have been considered as "stray" east of the Divide, but I think the large number of sightings this year, especially with Mooselings and so late in the season, means they've gone resident.
So far this year in Utah - 8 moose sightings in the Uinta mountains, 1 in Albion Basin, 1 in Park City. It is nice to see them around here with such frequency. I just wish drivers were a little more careful - I have seen 2 dead ones along I-80 in Parley's Canyon.
Guy
Posted by Chuck Peacock on July 17, 2006 at 10:29 AM
Smackin' a moose on an interstate - that's gotta hurt!
Good to see they're moving in everywhere in spite of the highways.
Paul, I've seen a lone moose right at the parking lot for North Clear Creek falls, between Creede and Lake City. He was looking pretty decrepit, missing his right antler all together. Went back there a few months later, and he was still there! I don't think he got around too much.
About 5 years ago, my wife and I were doing a hike to a place called Hunters Lake (about 6 or 7 miles north of Wolf Creek Pass) and saw some droppings we didn't recognize. About 10 minutes later we passed a ranger and asked her what they were, and she said moose. We were surprised, as I didn't know that there were any in that area. Kinda cool!
Posted by Todd Caudle on July 17, 2006 at 12:50 PM
I've seen them very close to North Clear Creek Falls, too. Twice, in fact.
Good info in light of all the recent Moose encounters:
Them Moose Goosers
An original poem by Mason Williams
How about Them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they recluse?
Up in them boondocks,
Goosin' them moose.
Goosin' them huge moose,
Goosin' them tiny,
Goosin' them meadow-moose
In they hiney.
Look at Them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they dumb?
Some use an umbrella,
Some use a thumb.
Them obtuse Moose Goosers,
Sneakin' through the woods,
Pokin' them snoozy moose
In they goods.
How to be a Moose Gooser?
It'll turn ye puce.
Gitchy gooser loose and
Rouse a drowsy moose!
Posted by Doug Andrews on July 17, 2006 at 9:52 PM
I know an area in RMNP where I have seen Moose every single time I've been there. At first I thought I was just lucky, but after a while of continued sightings I figured I had discovered a Moose Park.
Discussion
8 repliesGuy
Good to see they're moving in everywhere in spite of the highways.
About 5 years ago, my wife and I were doing a hike to a place called Hunters Lake (about 6 or 7 miles north of Wolf Creek Pass) and saw some droppings we didn't recognize. About 10 minutes later we passed a ranger and asked her what they were, and she said moose. We were surprised, as I didn't know that there were any in that area. Kinda cool!
Them Moose Goosers
An original poem by Mason Williams
How about Them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they recluse?
Up in them boondocks,
Goosin' them moose.
Goosin' them huge moose,
Goosin' them tiny,
Goosin' them meadow-moose
In they hiney.
Look at Them Moose Goosers,
Ain't they dumb?
Some use an umbrella,
Some use a thumb.
Them obtuse Moose Goosers,
Sneakin' through the woods,
Pokin' them snoozy moose
In they goods.
How to be a Moose Gooser?
It'll turn ye puce.
Gitchy gooser loose and
Rouse a drowsy moose!