A unique and incredible thing happened in late October. While hiking in Glacier, I had a once in a lifetime encounter with a wolf.
Due to the weather, I was lucky to have this portion of the park to myself. As a copse of pine trees kneeled in the wind, I had a deep sense that creatures were stirring other than me. My thoughts evolved beyond my self-involvement, to thoughts of ecosystem and planet. There was no Hallmark Card sentimentality, no self-improvement jargon, Just me, in a promising wilderness breathing clean air.
I decided to hike in a rugged wildlife corridor I’m familiar with. Visibility was poor in the falling snow. A half hour into this corridor and brutal wind, I caught a glimpse of movement along a stand of leafless aspen. At first I didn’t quite understand what I was seeing. I knew it was an animal. My first thought was “coyote” as the animal exited the tree line into the meadow.
A moment later I knew better.
A wolf stared back at me. Looked me right in the eyes.
There in the falling snow, in the Glacier wilderness, the wolf gave me thirty seconds. I had my camera out and was able to fire off a couple dozen images. However, at the end, as the wolf continued to stare at me, I let my camera fall to my side.
And I just enjoyed the moment.
An unspoken understanding occurred between us. Man and wolf. We had just the right amount of space and respect. I never felt fear. Just admiration for a truly special animal…admiration for an original.
I blinked snow out of my eyes, and when I opened them the wolf was halfway back to the aspens.
In the fading visibility the wolf turned to regard me one last time, and then disappeared.
I hiked back to the trailhead. The wind stopped blowing, the landscape hushed. I thought about how incredible my time in Montana has been.
When a wolf crosses your path, you know you’re headed in the right direction.
Best,
– Michael
