Did a 3 day loop in the Wind River Range and got chased off my campsite by a cow moose at 2am
So me and my buddy drove up to Pinedale for a quick 3 day loop on the Pole Creek trail and everything was perfect until night 2. We camped near Seneca Lake and around 2am I hear something big crashing through the willows right behind our tent, turns out it was a moose and she did NOT want us there. We grabbed our bags and basically sprinted 200 yards down the trail in our headlamps to a rocky spot with no cover, then sat there shivering for 3 hours until sunrise. The rest of the trip was awesome but I still flinch every time I hear branches snap at night. Has anyone else had to bail on a campsite in the Winds, and do you just pick spots with zero brush now?
Yeah, been there. Had a moose bluff charge me near Island Lake a few years back, same deal, busted out of the willows at dark and I was gone. Lesson learned the hard way: I camp at least 100 feet from any willow or creek brush now, even if it means a less pretty spot. Moose bed down in that stuff and they don't like sharing. Pick a site with open rock or gravel on your downwind side so you at least hear them coming. Also keep your headlamp and shoes by your bag, you don't want to be digging around in the dark when something big is moving in.