Friday the hubby and I went on what he wanted to be a trail run, but turned into just a hike because of the amount of people on the trail. It was fun the first hike we did was 5 miles up to this beautiful falls and then we added another 3miles at the end so we could run a little. On the last part of our trail we came across the most beautiful family of deer on the trail. We stopped and just watched them, and the closer we got they just kept eating. We let them walk ahead off the trail before proceeding because our intentions are to never bother the wildlife. So once we could keep going we did, and I really wanted to just hug the babies because they were too cute hehe.
Then again on Sunday the hubby found a different trail he wanted to try that turned into 8 more miles and an elevation gain of 4,000ft which means I still cannot feel my legs heh. However, this trail was much more secluded and we only passed 5 people and they were all going down the mountain not up. One family told us they saw a mamma bear and her 2 cubs out in the distance at the top of the mountain. Well when we got to the end of the trail we looked for the family of bears but never saw anything.We stopped and had green apples and a packet of Justin's almond butter, and then headed back down the mountain.
Not the bear we saw, but gives you an idea of size for those of you who may need a reference for what Mama Black bears look like :)
We had about a mile left before we were done with our hike and my husband is always the leader because he is faster than me,and I like to rest a lot more than him. I saw him stop put his hand up in the STOP don't move kind of way, he then put his finger in front of his mouth as to say Shhhhhh, and then he pointed.
We hadn't passed any people in 2 hours,and the only thing we had seen were flowers so I didn't know what he was doing. When I looked I never thought I would see a Mama Black Bear not even 10ft in front of him. Down to the right of us was a tree that had fallen and big rock, she was laying on top of that with her 2 cubs barely visible but laying under the rock. About the time I looked at her trying to figure out what to do, she turned and stared at us. So she knew we were there,and she knew her babies were right there too.
You are apparently suppose to back away from them, but the way the trail went it was safer for us go ahead because she could stand up and literally reach her paw out and hit us if we went backwards. I told my husband quietly "Don't look her in the eyes,and tip toe out of here" he was already in front of me so that just worked out better. She was watching us so I kept thinking if she stands up she is on us because she was seriously RIGHT THERE. So I didn't want to do the i'm the girl save me, let me go first crap I just did what I felt in the moment this all happened so fast. We walked slowly forward,passing her and not looking at her but keeping her in our view. Going forward gave us a little more height on the trail from her too,going backwards would have taken us down and easier target.
After we got a safer distance but could still see her I slowly turned my head to make sure she was still back where we left her. She turned her whole body,and stared at us but not moving toward us just making sure we were leaving. After we couldn't see her anymore we took our pace up a little to be sure she wasn't tracking us.Sometimes, mama bears will follow you to make sure you aren't going to harm her cubs.
I love animals, I am a vegan and long time vegetarian because my love is beyond house pets. I just have always had an immense love for animals. So,to be in the situation where they could possibly kill you, is a very scary moment. She was so beautiful,and to be around something so deadly but so beautiful was amazing. To be able to be close enough to see her big brown eyes and her golden/brown snout and that black shiny coat, is something I can't explain. I was terrified, I remember watching that show I Shouldn't Be Alive and I Survived and hearing people talk about Bear Attacks when they were camping or hiking. I realize how close we were, I think we were very lucky and I have to say that's the first time hiking we have ever encountered a bear. We never wanted to make her feel unsafe or for her to think we wanted her baby cubs. Every time we go to the Park there are usually bears in the distance or far enough away that you can get a picture. A much better way to experience bears, is at a safe distance :)
So that's my story from the weekend, how was yours?
Have you ever encountered wild animals on your hike?
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