Camping, then a Hike at West Thumb Geyser Basin, Yellowstone - Elk Encounter

1 year ago
25

This is a condensed version of my favorite hike of this year so far - West Thumb Geyser Basin, pre-dawn, when there was no one else there at all, except for two Elk at the end of the hike, whom I came dangerously close to, but with no regrets. It appears a soft tone voice assured them I was not a threat. I had scoped the area already for any male Elk, who would have probably been a serious threat to me, in spite of my being in possession of bear pepper spray.
I don't recommend getting that close to an Elk cow: It was a calculated risk, and at a lower-risk time of year. A ranger friend was not real happy with me seeing the end part of this video later, but at least I didn't leave a surprise turd pile for hikers and rangers later that day. I made it! I should not have eaten that entire can of Bushes Baked beans before bed the night before. I've edited out the farts.

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