Several weeks ago I wrote about my most memorable wildlife encounters. Inexplicably, I failed to mention what was probably the most unusual of them all: the sighting of two bighorn sheep as I was hiking down the south side of Pinchot Pass. The encounter was doubly unlikely. First, hikers don’t often get this close to one (or, in this case, two), and second, even if you are close to them, they blend in so well to the terrain that they are extremely easy to miss.
Watching this ewe and ram negotiate the rocky, uneven terrain with more grace than I can summon walking across the dance floor was a humbling experience.
This may be the closest I’ve ever been to an endangered species. They came close to disappearing entirely.
There were many factors that contributed to the shrinking size of the herd. The most cited include hunting (which, obviously, is no longer permitted), competition from domestic sheep, and disease. They are also a favorite dinner for cougars. In the mid-1990s there were only about 100 animals left; nevertheless, it took nearly five years for the Sierra Nevada Bighorn Sheep to be added the endangered species list. Three separate geographic recovery units were created in the north, central, and southern parts of the Sierra Nevada. The John Muir Trail passes through all three of them.
Since then there has been a carefully managed program to revitalize the herd. In 2013 it was estimated to exceed 500 animals. That may not sound like many, but it’s likely that the herd was never all that large. The California Department of Fish & Wildlife estimate that prior to contact with the west, it was “more than 1,000” strong.
If you see these amazing animals in the wild you are in for a treat. They somehow manage to move across impossibly rugged ground with as little apparent effort as a lazy bear strolling through Cook’s Meadow. I’ve spoken to hikers far more experienced than I who have never seen one. Seeing these two made for a pretty great morning.
Good hiking, Ray
Ray, last year my husband and I, along with a few others, saw a group of six on the north side of Pinchot Pass. We first saw them as we neared the top of the pass, as we were heading SOBO. So amazing!
There must be a group that like that area. They are really quite a sight to see! Thanks for the comment, Debra.
Ray,
Appreciate what you mean about their agility and grace on tough terrain. A few years back I was hiking in Denali National Park and spotted a herd of Dall sheep (I think that’s how it’s spelled??). Same thing, these guys were way up on impossibly steep cliffs, yet were walking around like they were strolling in the park. Amazing creatures.
I love spotting wildlife on hikes, and your examples are fascinating, entertaining, and often awe inspiring. I can’t wait to hit the JMT and experience these encounters myself. Thanks for keeping me inspired!
Thanks for the kind words, Bob. I can’t wait to get back out there, too.
A few years back I was going down the Black River in a canoe (out of Lake Mead, NV). We saw a herd of about a dozen big horn sheep on the maybe 20 degree side of a rock faced mountain. Two males were fighting for dominance. They’d run away from each other, turn and run at each other full speed slamming their big wide horns together. Sounded like a gunshot echoing down the canyon. The does and a couple younger males were running and jumping around the circumference of this jousting match, caught in the excitement. The jousting males did this over and over again as we drifted by. They were still at it as we went round a bend and the sound slowly diminished. When we got to our destination, we asked people who worked the are about it and many of them said they knew they lived in the area but had never seen any. We felt so blessed…
Great story, Wyn. Thanks!