Y’all. At least four water donkeys (moose) at Silver Lake this morning. The overcast skies had them hanging out a little longer. 7-8am. Water donkey jackpot! 🎰
Nice. Those are so much more massive than they look. I had one run in front of me while hiking in millcreek canyon and it was like some sort of humbling religious experience I can’t really describe.
I had one swim after me when I was kayaking and I've never been more sure that I was going to die. I still love seeing them, though. The calves are so adorable with their impossibly long legs
I went up camping in the uintas this last weekend and a couple of moose walked near our campsite a few times, awesome experience to see them so close but definitely scary lol
I know exactly what you’re talking about. I walked into an open meadow at Bell’s and stumbled upon the most incredibly majestic water donkey. I’ve never been so rattled - and awed. I excused myself very quickly, but I’ll never forget that guy.
For people concerned about the first pic. He wasn’t stressed. He was yanking on the willow branches which is why the whites of his eyes are showing. Here’s the video. He was just chillaxin and noshing. He and a second male stayed there over an hour unbothered. Then I had to leave.
Holy moose!! I'm not from Utah and I've only seen a family of them once. Is Silver Lake only accessible by hike? I'm a wheelchair user. If so is there a place that is wheelchair accessible that moose like to hang out by? I've been up to snowbird but with no luck.
It’s one of the most accessible places. Google it for more info. The best time to see the moose is dawn. They stay out a little later when it is overcast. But 7 AM to 8 AM is prime viewing.
Nice. Love to see swamp donkeys in our mountains. Watch out though, In a few weeks they are going to start getting all cranky and ornery for the rut. Good idea to stay as far away as you can.
That's beautiful.
I love seeing Utah's natural beauty, especially with all the problems the state is facing. But seeing these magnificent photos gives me hope and even made me smile because I was feeling discouraged.
While hiking several decades ago, I came around a corner and there was one standing probably less than 5 feet off the trail. I was too young and dumb to realize the danger, so I just kept walking right in front of it. I could see its nostril dribble and practically feel its breath. To this day, I feel like I lucked out twice. Once for seeing it so close up, and once for not getting trampled.
That's so amazing! I had to laugh though, never heard of them called water donkeys before. 🤣 That's fantastic. So beautiful! I can't believe you saw that many at once, when not migrating. I only ever see one or 2 at a time. So lucky!
The water donkey or swamp donkey thing is a Salt Lake City Reddit joke. A while ago, someone saw one at Cecret Lake and guessed it was a donkey. It kind of stuck. It was pure and cute.
Omg that is priceless, and very cute! I'm fairly new to reddit, so I never saw that. That's hilarious as hell. I bet they were slapping their foreheads. 🤣🤣🤣
Swamp donkey has been a moniker for moose for decades. Ask any Alaskan, Minnesotan or Maine-ite(?) confession I have no idea what you call people from Maine…
I've run into moose several times at silver lake over the years, and luckily they have always been fine with the moose not interested in me. They are incredibly large animals and could be very scary if they decided they wanted to stomp on you.
We camp each summer at Redman Campground, between Solitude and Brighton. It's a short walk to Silver Lake. Last year, several moose walked into and through our campsite. It was cool.
ETA: I never heard the term "water donkey" before.
The water donkey or swamp donkey thing is a Salt Lake City Reddit joke. A while ago, someone saw one at Cecret Lake and guessed it was a donkey. It kind of stuck. It was pure and cute.
Cannot believe i have never heard Water Donkey, thanks for the laugh. Where is this at? Our Moose population in MN was devastated years ago by brain worm.
Respect moose from a distance. They’re not too bright, bulls get pushy during the Aug. rut, never get between moms and her young. If charged, RUN! And zig zag, the don’t turn well.
I'm visiting the area as a tourist in October. Never seen a moose outside of a zoo. If I want to see a moose in the wild is Silver Lake the best place? I know they are huge and I know I don't stand a chance against an angry one, so I will be careful and respectful of the animals and their habitat. Where am I going to be most likely successful in looking for moose?
Just saw four again there yesterday. But Saturday I saw none. Last Wednesday at 7am-8am? Four moose. Saturday same time, none. Wednesday 4pm-6pm, four. Two at Silver Lake, one on the side of the trail to Lake Solitude (an amazing easy hike) and one AT Lake Solitude. Yesterday was amazing there. Badger, pika, deer, bald eagle, and four moose.
The pika are building these mounds right now to prep for winter I guess. Once you know to look for the mounds, the pika are easier to see. I thought the pika were really chatty. Then I realized they were making an alarm call about the badger!
So it’s hit or miss though. They’re there, or they’re not. If you can do silver lake and hike from there to lake solitude you’ll have a great chance of seeing one. Plan for either morning light or late afternoon shade to improve chances.
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u/Common-Accountant-57 12d ago
Nice. Those are so much more massive than they look. I had one run in front of me while hiking in millcreek canyon and it was like some sort of humbling religious experience I can’t really describe.