MOOSE ON THE LOOSE

I love, love, love to go Mtn. Biking so when I get the chance to go I will take it. I usually always go with a partner but on occasion I will go by myself.  Last week I decided to head up City Creek early in the morning by myself and I came across the white sign warning me about moose in the area.  I paid little attention to it as I had already seen quite a few moose while riding with Jeff this year.  I decided to ride up the main City Creek trail thinking I probably wouldn't see any moose up that particular route because it is pretty heavily traveled. I began making my way up the trail using a bit of caution and keeping my eyes up the trail. I was really enjoying my ride. Fresh fall colors and smells. Perfect temperature and just the right amount of light. I felt great.  Just as I crossed bridge 14 I thought "this is great, I am just about to the top and then I can turn around and have some fun going back down". Then as I came around a clump of trees I found myself FACE to FACE with a cow moose and she was joined by two other moose.  I was so close that I could smell them. The four of us froze for what seemed like 30 seconds.  I then regained some sense and started to slowly back-down the trail.  As soon as I got around the clump of trees that hid them from me I flipped my bike around and rode down a little further.  I stopped and looked back and they all went back to eating so I decide to snap a few pictures.  I startled the cow with the sound and flash of my camera and I knew I needed to get out of there fast. I jumped back on my bike and set a personal record descending down City Creek! What a GREAT morning!