367138

Wolf pack consisting of two large, one medium and one juvenile observed at this location on the ranch property. After the encounter, I back-tracked to see where they had come from and where they went. The pack crossed the Middle Fork Salmon River from the east side to the west side approximately 1/4 mile upstream of Indian Creek Ranger Station. All 4 wolves followed the Middle Fork River trail going southwest, crossing Garden Creek and entering the Middlefork Ranch property. All 4 wolves walked along the edge of the ranch, passing by several owner cabins, the ranch lodge, employee housing, water plant and shooting range. Employees were in the lodge working at this time, with the wolves passing within 50 feet of the lodge structure. After passing through the property, one large wolf stayed on main trail going upstream on Pistol Creek Trail, while other 3 wolves dispersed uphill through an elk wintering area of south-facing slopes to Pistol Creek. Tracks of all four converged on Pistol Creek Trail prior to the confluence of 25 Creek with Pistol Creek. Tracks of all 4 wolves continued on Pistol Creek Trail past it's confluence with Little Pistol Creek, where I stopped and returned to the main ranch.