21 April 2002 - Sunday

Report by Tonya Mathews

Thought I would add that the grizzly bear did come back out that evening (20 Apr) and dragged the carcass over the hill (to the east) and down into a gully.

This morning (21 April) the Druids came to the kill and the griz was sleeping on it. They chased him off and re-claimed their meal.

The carcass in the river corridor is almost picked clean.

Right before I left, the wolves all howled for me. It echoed off the canyon walls and was a most beautiful sound!! MADE MY WHOLE TRIP!! Okay, made it BETTER. Sure was nice to see you out. I was wishing that I could have gotten a hold of you so you could maybe come out and view with us and there you were. Today I knew everyone on the road. Pretty wild! :') I enjoyed your report. Thanks. Great memories!

Report by Bill Hamblin - 21 April 2002 - Sunday

Here is an update on the elk carcass. Apparently the grizzly came in last night. The carcass was gone this morning.

One of the bear / wolf watchers went down to the old picnic area. From there you can see behind the hill where the carcass was. Sure enough, the griz had dragged it down the hill (only about 30 yards but out of sight from anywhere close). As we watched the grizzly, eleven wolves showed up. After a couple of minutes, including a time when both the griz and 21M were both eating on the carcass at once (one on each end). The wolves got at the grizzly and ran him off.

I took a short but nice walk up Tower way this morning. I noted very few tracks, not even an elk track in the little remaining snow. No big horns across from Calcite either. I found two osprey nests, both with oprey's already on them. Two yellow bellied marmots across from Calcite were the biggest animal I saw, except one large bull bison at the mineral lick just at the beginning of the hike. All in all a great weekend in the park.

Take care my friends until next time!

Lamar Valley Sunset by John W. Uhler ©

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