Throughout my hiking adventures I’ve occasionally bumped into different animals. It’s always exciting to meet a pack of wolves, grouse, deer, or even have a thrilling encounter with a mother bear and cub. There are a few other animals that I’ve been hoping to bump into that are a bit more rare in the Upper Peninsula. A moose would be particularly awesome to see in the woods after all of the prints and droppings I’ve noticed in the Peshekee Highlands and Huron Mountains. After three years of hiking these areas I finally got the chance to see one northwest of Dodge City in a remote low forest.
I was tired from a long hike in the north climbing multiple hills and mountains and was heading back to my car. Always on the lookout I had noticed a lot of moose sign on the hike, especially on the gated logging roads that weave around this area. One of the interesting things about hiking this area is the layout of the land… The Northwestern Road climbs up to around 1200 feet but most of the flat land to the north is around 900, so returning to my car involved a decent slope. As I hauled myself up a steeper section of a logging road, still over three miles from my car, a sudden burst of noise in front of me broke my tired reverie. I looked up just in time to see a large bull moose stare at me before bolting up the hill around a bend in the road.
Shocked by this encounter and disappointed that I hadn’t gotten a photo of the moose in time, who had startled easily within forty feet of me, I took out my camera and continued up the trail. Rounding the bend cautiously I saw him again, staring down on me. I took some pictures, keeping my eyes on him and my shoulders squared. Not only are moose territorial but autumn is their mating period and I didn’t want to threaten an animal who was several times my weight and had a good foot or two on me. Slowly I continued along the trail making my way right, perpendicular to him, never once turning my back or directly approaching him.
Luckily the moose and I were at a fork in the trail and I could head west instead of trying to continue south. I wouldn’t have challenged a huge bull moose for an easy trail, but taking the fork was better than bushwhacking in my tired state, even if it meant adding some distance and an awkward crossing of Elm Creek to the route. Elated from meeting a moose finally (and not getting charged in the process) I headed back to my car, thinking about possible encounters with cougars and more moose on future hikes.
nailhed
oh wow, i didnt know you had a blog....full of Huron Mtn stuff...now i do.
i saw a moose exactly 2 yrs ago along M28 in Michigamme Twp area as i was driving home once. he was standing on the side of the road. quite a surprise.
Jacob Emerick
Ha ha, yeah, you betcha! I'm pretty jealous that you saw one so long ago - I've been hoping to see one for years now.
Douglas Feltman
Great blog Jacob. I always stop and look to see what you are doing at least once a week.
Jacob Emerick
Glad that you enjoy it, Douglas! This was definitely a fun hiking experience. Have you bumped into much wildlife up north?
Aaron
I remember my first photoshop.
Jacob Emerick
I'll be interested in your comments after you come on a hike with me and face down a bear and/or moose, sir :P
Lydia
Jake, this is awesome! :) So excited for you, and glad you did not get charged!!! I as well did not know you had a blog, but I will be reading it more now that I do!!
Jacob Emerick
Hey Lydia, glad you enjoyed the post! I was also glad I didn't get charged - he was freaking huge. And didn't seem happy to see me. Hope you enjoy my psuedo-random posts about hiking and stuff!
Andy
Jacob, really enjoy reading about your adventures. We might have crossed paths driving around that weekend, as we were camping on our property just west of Dodge City. Kind of bummed we didn't see that moose! Looking forward to more posts!
Jacob Emerick
Thanks Andy! Glad that you enjoy reading up on the adventures. Having a camp up there feel free to let me know if there is any cool spots or sights that I've missed out ;) Love the land up there, just can't get enough of the Longyear property.
Andy
I wish I could offer some interesting spots that you haven't covered yet. Although if you take M-95 going up there, watch for moose around Republic, saw a mom and calf not far off the highway there last year. Most of the exploration around there was when I was at Tech, 15 years ago. Totally agree with you, the Longyear property is great, although I have a long ways to go to catch up to the ground you've covered! I wish I had a camp up there, we just rough it when visiting.
Jacob Emerick
Ah, gotcha. When you mentioned having your own property I assumed you had a camp up there. I've thought about looking into a cabin on Mulligan Plains a few times, tucked away from the traffic with some acres for buffer, but not at a point where I can purchase one ;) M-95 is one of the easiest drives for me to get up there, haven't seen a moose yet but will keep my eyes peeled! Also, if you're looking for a good start into the Longyear property I'd recommend looking into Section 17... Joel found a great outcropping there with views north to Lake Ives. I was there a few weeks ago, I'll try to collect the images and push the post out soon.
Andy
Thanks for the tip Jacob! Most of my hiking was around Hogsback falls, so sec 17 is probably an area I haven't checked out yet. Now I just need to convince my wife to come along!
Jacob Emerick
Hey Andy, how many waterfalls have you found on East Branch Salmon Trout Falls? I've been to Hogsback (well, it might be Twin Falls, I think Hogsback is on HMC) but have found another upstream waterfall. Starting to wonder if there are more unnamed drops along the river, hoping you might know more. Also, I totes hear you on the wife - I've hauled Katie along for a few trips but she likes trails a bit more than I do :P
Andy
Very interesting! It's been awhile, but I seem to remember not following the river to Hogsback or Twin Falls (the one just south of HMC). And then on the way back to the NW road, I tried to follow the river which was tough in some spots due to some steep slippery slopes. I remember some fast moving water, but not sure about any waterfalls. I hope to have the chance to return to that area next year. Maybe I'll find some interesting spots to share. By the way, congrats on your wedding (from reading your latest post).
Jacob Emerick
Thanks for the congrats, Andy! Been meaning to post more about that, just waiting on the photographer. Oh, and as for the falls, the one I found was a short distance from Dodge City, where the river jags sharply to the west. No trails nearby, was probably only four or five feet tall (but larger than Twin/Hogback).
Joel
KILLER moose photos! That's a nice rack on that guy! Also, I can't say enough good things about Section 17! I would HIGHLY recommend it! The hike is about 2- 2 1/2 miles out, along Longyear logging roads (both used and unused). The outcropping happens to be roughly half way out to Mt. Ives, and has an open north-facing upper slope that gives incredible panoramic views of the HMC, from Mt. Homer in the west all the way to Ives Hill in the east.. Good Luck if you attempt it, you won't be disappointed!!
Jacob Emerick
It was an awesome encounter! I did end up going to Section 17 on another trip, should do a write up about it soon. Completely agree on how amazing that spot is. Relatively short, easy hike with little climbing and you get amazing views of Ives and Superior. Excellent spot to sit and plan future hikes deeper in the Longyear property!
Lori
Really enjoyed this read! Heading to the Hurons this weekend.
Gary L Hammond
Jacob,
sounds like you are a a misplaced Michigander like me as I'm in the Palmdale area of Southern Calif. Heading out next week to Michigan and a week in the U.P.
About a year ago I had a moose encounter in Frisco, Co. Got closer than you only because of his movement toward me that albeit not aggressive seemed to be because of his desired direction of travel. He passed within ten feet while I hunkered behind a tree about ready to ditch my camera and jump in the lake behind me. Definitely an exhilarating experience. I just I should put the story and photos on my photography page. Thanks for your great site. Gary Hammond Lancaster, CA
Jacob P Emerick
Good to hear from you Gary, and great story! Hope your week in the UP was colorful :)