This stretch of trail proved surprisingly level as it meandered through a densely forested area. As they entered it, the air temperature dropped considerably and the humidity rose. Ferns, moss, and broadleafs lined the trail, moist with dew. The tall evergreens filtered the sun's rays allowing this localized tropical ecosystem to exist in an otherwise semi-arid region.
Josh and his dad strolled along effortlessly, breathing deeply the air heavily spiced with Blue Spruce and Lodgepole Pine. With Josh in the lead, his dad watched him stride out under the load of a good pack and couldn't help but be proud of him. He was humbled and thankful to be able to take him on this adventure, especially since his dad had never done so in his own childhood. His mom and brothers had lived in quiet fear of his dad and were careful to steer clear as to not anger him in any way. His cold hand imprisoned them in their own home, where they were paralyzed, frozen without love. He never said much to anyone, but if he did, it was out of bitter frustration. A fit of rage dealt a broken jaw to his wife and one court case later left her custody with the three sons. They grew up missing those complements that bestow real manhood.
A blurry movement flickered in the corner of his eye, snapping him back to the present and put all of his senses on alert. He whispered to Josh to stop as he stared into the dimly lit undergrowth. There it was again! "What was that?" he asked to himself. Creeping backwards he finally could focus on an unbelievable sight. A huge, grey wolf had his left front leg caught in a trap. As soon as he saw the two hikers approaching he violently strained against the sharp teeth of the old bear trap. His blood had matted the hair around the wound, but had not yet clotted. He must have been here since just last night or this morning.
He was surely one of the wolves reintroduced into Yellowstone Park after much heated debate between ranchers and environmentalists. Though they were speculated to stay within the borders of the Park with no retaining fences, the increased tourism pressure encouraged the wolves to simply follow migrating elk out of the Park and take up residence in the surrounding forests.
Josh followed wide-eyed as his dad crept towards the wolf and watched this would-be predator's eyes change from shear terror to a peaceful acceptance in response to his dad's calm and reassuring voice. His viscious growl finally ebbed to a whimper as he leaned as far away from them as possible.
"I know how you feel, fella. Trust me, I do. I know what it's like to be trapped in your own home. But I'm going to give you something my dad never gave me." Josh's dad softly spoke.
He was now within reach of the trap. The massive wolf actually laid down in submission. Josh's dad slowly reached for a suitable stick and found the release mechanism. At the moment the jaws withdrew, the wolf bolted away with a slight limp.
This stretch of trail proved surprisingly level as it meandered through a densely forested area. As they entered it, the air temperature dropped considerably and the humidity rose. Ferns, moss, and broadleafs lined the trail, moist with dew. The tall evergreens filtered the sun's rays allowing this localized tropical ecosystem to exist in an otherwise semi-arid region.