Baby Moose Encounter

Moose cow and baby at a pond in Brainard Lake Recreation Area, Colorado.
The cow and the baby at the pond.    

It happened between Blue Lake and Mitchell Lake. A curve on the trail and mom was nearby looking at us. We backed slowly. After a while, she moved away. The baby followed. A wait of a minute and we continued walking. Another curve and... stop! Mama moose backtracked and crossed the trail. Too close for comfort. The baby joined her drinking water in a small pond. They didn't leave for a while. We climbed the slope off trail to try bypassing them. No way out and the moose was looking at us. Got refuge behind a group of aspens (just in case). Finally, the moose left. This time they went deep into the forest.

(Moose cows get aggressive during breed season. They are very protective when surprised. Before an attack they raise the long hair of the hump, ears are laid back and may lick their snout. If one walks towards you doesn't mean it's friendly. Back slowly and try to hide. They are good swimmers. The word "moose" comes from the Algonquin Indian language and means "eater of twigs".)