Tracking Elk in the Snow


Elk tracks. Made within the last 20 to 30 minutes. Six or seven animals in a small herd.

Two to four inches of wet snow, made for tracking.

Soon the herd turns steeply uphill to the dense forest below Indian Point, close to 2,000 feet above me.

Once the elk begin climbing a steep, snow-covered talus slope, I return to the Gorge Trail and my hike – – – a nine-mile, out-and-back from Wyeth to Herman Creek.

Deer, several coyotes, a bobcat and another small herd of elk – – – all had left their tracks along the trail.

Is there a better time to be hiking?

Elk track

Elk track

Small creek crossing the Trail

Small creek crossing the Trail

Huge boulder that had fallen from the high cliffs above

Huge boulder that had fallen from the high cliffs above

Snow-covered Trail crossing a talus slope

Snow-covered Trail crossing a talus slope

Deer track

Deer track

Small creek crossing the Trail

Small creek crossing the Trail

Witches-hair Lichen

Witches-hair Lichen

My daypack taking a break

My daypack taking a break

My boot prints are the only sign of life

My boot prints are the only sign of life

Wind Mountain across the Columbia RIver

Wind Mountain across the Columbia River

Categories: Columbia River Gorge HikesTags: , ,

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