Elk Hunt 2011

This is what camp looked like as we pulled in.
Sunrise the morning after it had quit snowing for three solid days.

First weekend, much of it was spent in the trailer staying warm.
Second weekend, much nicer. The weather was beautiful.
We had originally intended on leaving for the elk hunt the Thursday prior to opening morning, but because of the sudden change in weather and the impassable roads we waited until Friday morning. As we approached Buck Horn Flat the snow became constant and I silently thanked Kyle for making me pack all the extra articles of clothing. When we reached camp it was snowing with already about 8" on the ground and by this time I had a sick baby on my hands. At this point I wasn't even sure if I was going to get a chance to hunt or not.
The snow didn't seem to bother the children; they were out in it the second the truck door swung open. They built snowmen, snow forts, had snow ball fights and made snow angels. That first day I think I ended up making 60 cups of cocoa, lacing boots 48 different times, and warming little fingers by the heater. To put it mildly, it was FREEZING. Monday we went home cold and discouraged from not seeing any elk only to return on Wednesday night with much nicer weather. The snow had MELTED.

Thursday morning I got up to hunt with the guys. Before the sun was up we took a 30 minute truck ride to the "secret location" and got out to walk to the lookout point in the dark. As we sat there glassing the guys spotted some elk a ways a way. The plan was to hike to them, shoot them and head back to the truck. Well, when we reached the area the elk were in, there were no elk to be seen. We started hiking again for what seemed like miles, stopping every once in a while to look around. Now when you hunt with Kyle you always have to hike to the next ridge to look out and then hike to the next ridge over to look over there and then by that time you might as well hike to the next ridge to see what is over there. When we reached the mudslides (refer to picture above) where Kyle got his elk the guys informed me that we had gone about 3 miles at that point and that we just needed to hike up out of this draw (which was extremely steep) and then we would be on our way to camp. I was okay with that. Little did I know they weren't being totally truthful with me. After what seemed like hiking for hours (and the guys are hauling meat at this point) I asked Kyle, "whereabouts are we trying to go?" He looked at Russ and then at me and said, "Well, from this point (we had hiked probably another mile at this point), we are about halfway". Halfway?!? What?!? Was he kidding me?!!!? At first I thought he was joking - but no joke about it, we were only halfway. We would hike a while and then rest some, hike a while again and then rest some more. Long story short, Michelle and the horses finally met up with us when we had roughly half a mile left. I nearly died when Kim told me it was just after 5 o'clock in the evening. I have never in my life been so grateful for the ride I received that day. I was spent. In all, that day alone, we ended up hiking close to 8 miles. The last picture posted is my rendition of what that day was like. Long and winding across many acres of land and tiring.

I did hunt with the guys again, and we had a great time. We spent lots of time laughing and reminiscing about grandparents who have since passed on. Even though I did not tag out, I loved the time I got to spend with Kyle out in the hills and can't wait to go on the next one.