Cochi - The trout fishing is real good, but the nearest spot from there is about a 30 minute drive or more..
But, we had to cut the trip short this morning. I was woken up at 6:30 to a bear trying to help himself to breakfast. I heard something trying to get into our tote of food and yelled to scare it off, thinking it was one of the coyotes that was hollowing at 4am. I waited a moment then peeked out the tent window and didn't see anything so I stepped out to investigate. Here one of the totes had been pulled out with a big bear print on the lid. "Shit! There's a bear here!" I yelled to my wife, still half asleep. I started looking around and sure enough there was about 180-200 pound
brown black bear (I've been doing my research toady and it turns out we only have black bears in Colorado, but are usually brown or cinnamon in color) about 50 yards across the creek. I grabbed my dogs' food and water dish and started clanking them together and yelling and the bear ran off.
My wife came out of the tent and I told her "Maybe we should pack up and leave after lunch". Well, before I could even boil a pot of water for coffee, I caught him out of the corner of my eye coming back down the ridge towards us about 60 yards out. I started clanking and yelling as loud as I could (which is pretty damn loud
) and I looked at my wife and we agreed we needed to pack up and leave. Crazy part is, I've been to this area over 6 times in the last 3 years and have NEVER seen a bear out in this area. I spent the next hour or so packing up with my Cold Steel Tanto knife strapped to my side. I told my wife I need to go to Gander Mountain and trade in my bow for a 45. I know 1 shot in the air would scare just about anything off for good. (And after further review, apparently bears that have been "humanized" are the most likely to attack and often need to be destroyed.)
I'll post a few pics when after I get the car unloaded and eat some breakfast.
Scottie