Day hike from the cabin.

Semo I have to guess maybe 60 yards. I always try to give them plenty of room. This bear had a left ear split which G&F used to do to identify problem bears that have been relocated. He was a big boy for this area.

 

Hiked into the canyons behind the cabin today.



Some rock erosion.


I was caught in a rain that turned to sleet, temperature dropped very quickly. Went to a rock overhang and started a warming fire.



As I warmed up, I contemplated what a great knife the Laser Strike is.


Some views after the storm cell moved on.




Getting back to the cabin as the next storm cell was coming in.

 

Beautiful country

 

Another day hike from the cabin. Went into the high country looking for elk horns.



Smoke in the distance from a large forest fire on the Gila National Forest.


Some views on top.



This is a water catchment flown in by helicopter. It's sole purpose is to provide water for wildlife in the area.

After eight miles and no horns found I started back towards home. I jumped this doe out of her bed and was able to mouth call her back.


Will continue.....

 

Beautiful country. Would love to hunt that part of the world!

 

Was able to call the doe back to about 20 yards then the wind shifted.


Some wildflowers blooming.


Continuing towards home the sun getting low in the west.


About a half mile from the cabin, I found this wolf track in a wash.


Two nights ago I was listening to three separate coyote packs barking/howling back and forth and then a single wolf howled and the coyotes stopped for the night.

Made it home and took some ibuprofen for the knees.

 

Awesome pictures and beautiful country.

 

Stunning photos!

 

Thank you, every day in the woods for me is a great day!

 

Thank you Nathan, my phone's camera seems to make everything distant. I am hoping Mrs. Datilite surprises me at Christmas with a camera! I always enjoy the exceptional photos that you post.

 

Thanks man. I just use my iPhone to take my photos. I've got the iPhone 7 plus now and the camera on it is really nice.

 

this is identical to the lytton area of BC........love this kind of terrain.

 

Bushman I also love this type of terrain, but it's hard to get there. The start point at the cabin is 8000 ft. and climbs to 9800 ft. in about a quarter mile distance. I keep telling myself it keeps me young!

 

I went to the Gila National Forest for a birthday hike and started from the Sandy Point trailhead. The west side of the Gila was devastated by fires in 2007 and again in 2012.

Hiked to Hummingbird Saddle with the intention off going to the top of Whitewater Baldy (10,896 ft.) But knees and time cancelled that idea after five miles. Her are some photos of the hike.





Lots of wildflowers and raspberries.



And of course berry bandits in the area.


Some vista photos. Any greenery that shows in the photos is second growth coming up, mostly Locust and Aspen.






Will continue........

 

August 5th, hike continue.

Our cabin is in the most distant mountain range in this photo.



The notch that you see on this mountain is where the old Grouse Mountain lookout tower and helispot used to be. The tower was torn down in the early 70's due to it's inability to see enough terrain, it would have been handy in 2007.


Whitewater Baldy.


Sacaton Mountain.



Wildflowers.



Elk on the way home.



As always, another great day!

 

Stunning area man, wow. Thanks for sharing.

 

Thank you. Its sad to see the destruction as far as the eye can see in all directions. I spent my early years working in this wilderness area, 10 days on 4 days off. A lot of good memories and lessons learned.

 

Absolutely great looking area. What species of bear? Also, what caliber are you carrying for protection with the side arms? Sorry if you already said and I missed it ...

 

Thank you, all our bears are common blacks. The last known grizzly was killed in 1932 or 36. I carry .44 mag. Loaded with home cast 320 grain lead bullets at 1000 fps, not Max but controllable. I had a bear attack in 1986 and learned from that to carry enough gun. The 357 mag. I carried at the time stopped the bear but did not kill instantly. Wasn't the bears fault he was laying / guarding a deer carcass when I startled him.

 

i think that's a good decision! I mainly carry a .357 with my reloads but will occasionally carry a .45 ACP. No longer own the .44 mag but would prefer it in bear country. Thanks...