Our Wolf Pack Encounter - I've finally written about it!

[BlackCoffee]

I have finally posted Day 5 of my day-by-day trip report. That was the day that we encountered a pack of wolves on Indian Portage Trail.

The spine-tingling tale can be read here for those who are interested:
http://nasunto.blogspot.com/2009/10/isl ... -five.html

[fonixmunkee]

That's one of the best written and well-formatted trip reports I've read on here. Seriously, it was like a quality magazine article. Well done.

And regarding your wolf experience...WOW. I'm very, very envious. What an AWESOME and once-in-a-lifetime experience. I can't even count on two hands how many times I've been to West Chickenbone and haven't even *heard* a wolf let alone see one (or many!).

[mihiker]

I can not agree with fonix more.
All I can say about the wolves is wow!

[philranger]

Thanks for posting this story Nina. I hope you and Craig realize just how lucky you were to have this experience. All we saw were squirrels.

[BlackCoffee]

Thanks everyone! I had to go back and make a correction regarding the wolf pack numbers. They range in size from 2-9, not 13 which is the number I had in my head for some reason.

Fonixmunkee,
Thank you! Now if I could find a way to hike and write for a living, I'd be set!

Philranger,
Normally we have terrible luck spotting wildlife. I guess our time had finally come!

[sgerbs]

My wife and I were on IR the second week of June and saw one wolf on the trail from McCargoe to W. Chickenbone. It was no more than 30 feet from us, and as in your description did not seem afraid of us. After a minute it walked another 20 or so feet away to a high rock, and began to howl. Another wolf responded, and that is when we decided it was a good time to get moving.

Not to start any wild ideas or myths, but I wonder if the pack near W. Chickenbone is getting more used to humans? I believe the ranger said it was most likely the Chippewa Harbor pack.

[BlackCoffee]

sgerbs,
Wow! That is an awesome story. I wonder what they were saying about you...

[DonNewcomb]

I wonder what they were saying about you...

"Could have eaten them on the spot but the NPS paperwork would have taken a month to finish."

[jeastbur]

Nina, congrats on getting featured on backpacker.com!

http://www.backpacker.com/reader_wolfpa ... _dirt/1392

What a great experience.
Josh

[ScoutDad]

Great TR....and what an experience!

[jerry]

Thanks for the report and pictures! I wonder if these are the wolves I heard at W. Chickenbone in 2008. I might have heard them the next two nights at Hatchet.

[k2one]

It must have been a very special experience for you!! All the best from your Farmington Hills Mi. neighbor!!!

[Backpacker534]

I recently read your entire trip report and, I agree, it was very well written. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous over the wolf sighting. It must have been an awesome couple minutes! Thanks for taking the time to write about your trip. It was a great read.