I had an opportunity to go for my usual neighborhood walk this morning. It hasn't been possible recently as early November brought the first snow (a few inches), sideways rain, wind (sustained 50+mph for a week) and ice. We have had a warm spell the last few days (mid 40s) so most of the ice is gone. (As an aside Deadman's Curve en route to the town of Kodiak has a whole new meaning when the roads are icy.) Anyways, so my walk this morning. Dressed in two layers, with my walking umbrella (more on that later) and my crampons (or ice cleats as they are called here) I was off. When I tried to walk up the ridge a few days ago I kept sliding down the road, but today traction was good. I walked past a neighbor on my way and his dog. We chatted briefly about the weather and I petted his dog. (Good doggo.) The trail was not too flooded or ice choked and I carefully picked my way along until I gained a little elevation and then it was fine. I watched the many bald and golden eagles as they hunted or circled in the slate grey sky. As I approached Jack Lake I heard the deep, low grunting of a large mammal off to my left. Even though the crampons were making plenty of noise crunching into the thin layer of ice I began to sing to make my presence more known. Ten yards or so further down the trail I smelled the rancid odor of poop and rotting fish, the eau de parfum of bears. The trail had tightened with small trees and brush and my sight lines decreased. I popped open my umbrella. A local outdoorswoman named Wendy Eskew gave some great advice about bears and umbrellas. If you open one as you approach an encounter it will often frighten the bear away, as you appear much bigger then the bear. I decided to make my way back down the trail and the smell wafted away and soon I no longer heard the sounds of grunting. So much for walking the full loop today. Discretion is at times the better part of valor ;-) I remember a group email I sent last February titled "Looking for Bears". Well, the bears are everywhere. There is no need to look for them. Many hibernate, but some do not. My closest encounter was in September when I had a big sow (Momma Bear) directly underneath me on our elevated deck. Today was the closet encounter I have had without barriers. I will not pretend that for a few moments my hair did stand on end, but then I remembered my bear aware training and also that fear is the mind killer.

A quick note on the eagles and ravens that have been having a turf war for hunting rights on the section of Sargent Creek where we live. Eagles have the high altitude flying and are more precise flyers, but ravens have a ground game that is pretty good. They sometimes attack the eagles after they have made a kill and are eating it or when they are perched on tree branches. Eagles seem to win more then they lose, but the ravens have gumption and a spit in their eye. Eagles are winning the overall war, as ravens do not seem to have the numbers or staying power. The eagles seem to regard the ravens as a major P.I.T.A.

https://prod.alltrails.com/trail/us/alaska/seargeant-creek-and-jack-lake-loop