Those cattle have me thinking . . . first thing that comes to mind is, is the scuffed, barren, cratered patch in the middle of the meadow. That has to be a dust wallow. they probably roll about as do Bison, to get rid of lice, mites, and ticks. Next thing, they weren't too far from the vernal pool(s). Those typically are special ecological preserves; the reason for the boardwalks. And the paucity of cattle--my guess is that this could be a cooperative tract of range, this expanse would likely be impractical for commercial ranchers out for profit. Forest Service employees and local residents graze their personal beasts together until it's time for given individual beasts to meet slaughter, to fill smokehouses, freezers, and people's bellies, so they don't have to be at the mercy of butchers and grocers. One steer(?) could last 'em many weeks, if not months. Perhaps, horses could be grazed out there, too. And. it's probably just a matter of time, before there's cougar/coyote/wolf conflicts. That already may now be happening.
I would bet on the cougars being a concern! It would be cool to see horses there! I have not yet chanced upon horses, even trail equestrians in the area!
Nice hike! 🥾🥾
Thanks for checking out my latest romp in the mountains! It's been a while since I've been up there!
Those cattle have me thinking . . . first thing that comes to mind is, is the scuffed, barren, cratered patch in the middle of the meadow. That has to be a dust wallow. they probably roll about as do Bison, to get rid of lice, mites, and ticks. Next thing, they weren't too far from the vernal pool(s). Those typically are special ecological preserves; the reason for the boardwalks. And the paucity of cattle--my guess is that this could be a cooperative tract of range, this expanse would likely be impractical for commercial ranchers out for profit. Forest Service employees and local residents graze their personal beasts together until it's time for given individual beasts to meet slaughter, to fill smokehouses, freezers, and people's bellies, so they don't have to be at the mercy of butchers and grocers. One steer(?) could last 'em many weeks, if not months.
Perhaps, horses could be grazed out there, too.
And. it's probably just a matter of time, before there's cougar/coyote/wolf conflicts. That already may now be happening.
I would bet on the cougars being a concern! It would be cool to see horses there! I have not yet chanced upon horses, even trail equestrians in the area!