High Mountain Dreams

[Autumnarcher]

The gentle gurgling of an ice cold mountain stream washing over the rocky bottom.

Sky so blue, you can't stop looking at it.

The smells. Juniper and Sage. Tall pines and quaking aspens. Damp canvas and woodsmoke. Sweat. Frosted morning air.And a freshly used wallow.

The sights. A rainbow disappearing over a distant peak. Jagged terrain of elk country. Sunrise, and sunset.The golden blanket of aspens along a nearby slope. Cows with calves, and rutting bulls. Bears, Lions, and coyote.A warm tent and a hot meal after a long day afield.

The Sounds. Magpies squawking in the trees. Coyotes howling on a distant ridge. The rumbling bugle of a herd bull rounding up his cows. The crunch of frosty grass underfoot.

This is elk country. Where every step affords a tapestry of new views. Where dreams of matching the survival skills of a mature bull are pitted against your predatory skills as hunter and your skill as a tradtional archer. All the work. All the planning. All the preparation come down to one opportunity.

Aching muscles, blistered feet, tired legs and burning lungs. They cannot dampen the spirit when that first bugle resonates across the mountain range. Man vs beast. Will the mountains yeild their treasures, or leave you wanting more?

Will the highs and lows of a demanding hunt sap you of your resolve, or will the dream push you through it?

Its almost time.

[Terry Green]

[Huntingnut]

 
Good stuff!

[Gary Logsdon]

Very nice John.  Hope you don't mind me adding some eye candy to accompany your sentiments.

(Note: Hit the F5 key to refresh the page if the photos fail to download.)



or this

[Autumnarcher]

Not at all Gary,those pics sum it up perfectly. I couldnt log in to photobucket for some reason.

I love that arm guard. Where did you get it?

[Cyclic-Rivers]

Awe Man! I am in heaven just thinking about the last week of august.

Thanks for taking me there John.

[Autumnarcher]

I'll be leaving here August 22nd for the long drive. Once there, we'll have a couple days to acclimate, set up base camp and do a little scouting before the opening day.

Been 3 yrs since my last elk hunt. Far too long indeed. My son and I will spend the entire bow season in the back country if need be, to try to tag a couple elk. If not, we get to spend a month in the backcountry. Don't see how you can lose either way.

I'm passing the remaining days building arrows, shooting, finalizing food plans, looking over maps,double checking gear lists etc. I'm going crazy with antcipation.

[Morning Star]

A little bummed I can't be there this year.........  

[Pat B]

I will be heading back down Salt Creek trail on Sept. 3...


These pics were from my 2006 trip...
 

...hopefully this time the water won't be so clear!

[Gary Logsdon]

Art Vincent made the armguard for me.

[Shinken]

Excellent photos Gentlemen!

Thank you for sharin'!

Have a great 2011 huntin' season!

Shoot straight, Shinken

 

[hardwaymike]

Hey John, way to take a guy there. These words painted a pretty good picture for sure. Thanks, Mike.

[Hopewell Tom]

Great pics, Gary. I have Art's stalker quiver and have been thinking about an arm guard too. That pic has me inspired to contact him and get one on the way.
You folks that have the Elk in your backyard make me pretty envious. What country! What an animal!

[jamesh76]

[cacciatore]

Great pics just light the fire.