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The Dead Zone
By PK | August 22, 2008
The Dead Zone….a place where humans dare not enter on four-wheelers, dirt bikes, 4×4 trucks, or mountain bikes. A forest not inhabited by hikers and backpackers. A dirt, mountain road left serene and quiet in the dense woods.
We researched this area for a month anticipating our exploration of The Dead Zone, as we called it. Upon entering The Dead Zone, it was quiet, uninhabited by other humans, no recent traces of other two-legged creatures, no tracks of vehicles left behind in this serene, untouched area of Routt National Forest. The gate was securely locked against vehicles of any nature as we skirted around for a hike in search of a long, lost elk herd.
This was the biggest elk herd we’d seen in nearby Routt National forest, lost to us several months back as the warmer weather set in. It was our goal to seek and find this herd of elk. We carefully tracked every sighting of elk, clearly remembering the strongest, biggest bulls we’d seen thus far, counting numerous cows, yearlings, and calves.
We spread our maps, each of us indicating where we’d seen recent elk activity, sightings, and landmarks. The time had come to investigate, our curiosity peaking, our anxiety growing as we anticipated locating this giant herd of elk as the day came for our great hike approached.
Our backpacks were carefully stocked with necessities and gear, the GPS programmed, and donned in our camouflage clothes, we set out, quietly stalking, easing our way into The Dead Zone.
It was a sunny evening, a day after a plentiful rain. The skies were clear, the air crisp and cool, a welcome change from the warmer, seasonable temperatures. We fell into our normal hiking mode of hand gestures, nods and whispers as we proceeded in our great search.
An hour passed, dusk would soon approach, as we left the unused, dirt path following signs of elk activity. We lost track several times, only to find once again, elk droppings, old rubbings, and occasional tracks in the hard, packed earth.
We came across several high mountain pastures, assuring us of a view of elk coming out to graze. Quietly, we sneaked through the woods to each opening, disguising ourselves among the foliage, but to our disappointment, none were to be seen.
It seemed The Dead Zone was just what we aptly named it….The Dead Zone. Disgruntled and disappointed we headed back, retracing our steps using the GPS. We felt for sure that the elk would be in these high mountain pastures, safe and secure away from humans, but it was not to be the case. Feeling unjustified as if our curiosity had gotten the better of us, heads downtrodden, we trudged back to the truck. And just like a cat whose curiosity gets the better of it, we seen….
you got it!!!! A friggin’ cat!!!!
The moral of the story: Even big game hunters get taken by small prey!
PS…this is a true story and I still giggle to this day when I recall our hike through The Dead Zone.
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Topics: "Post Cards From the West", Colorado, Hiking, Camping, Fishing,, Routt National Forest, Wildlife and Hunting |
4 Responses to “The Dead Zone”
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August 22nd, 2008 at 10:30 pm
More like an anti-climax. Lovely story.
NOt manny people get to enter Dead Zones in this world nowadays, you are lucky to have this experience under you belt.
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:55 am
Thank you for the compliment. I wrote several anti-climax stories in creative writing class years ago that were successful. I confess I haven’t wrote much through my child-raising years. I have three sons and 10 grandchildren and were very active with them. Swinging back into writing has proved difficult, your compliments help strengthen my courage! Thanks!!
August 25th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Ha! At least you enjoyed being out in the beautiful countryside. LOL at the cat.
August 25th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
PK..true story?? Wow! Where the heck did that kitty cat come from????
Glad you are back at it…in grand fashion I might add! Great job!