Bio: Dude, circa 1970. Descriptor: Encountering a grizzly while riding a horse named Bananas headed up Stuart’s Draw.
Louise’s Story: WHOA White Grass was the rustic dude ranch where we stayed each summer nestled under Buck Mountain in The Tetons. It was a place that renewed the spirit as the experiences there put us in touch with nature. At the end of the day the wildlife and wildflower sightings were the topic during dinner. This was perhaps my most memorable wildlife experience. Each cold morning during our stay we dressed in the cabin by our warm fire. We wore our levis and warm layers to peel off as the sun warmed the day. The hardy breakfast was over and all the dudes were ready at the coral next to the barn for their ride. This was a special one for me. It was the third time I had tried to reach Stuart Draw. Once lightning had forced us back to the ranch. The last try the rain had left the path impassable as it was soaked like a bog and the horses stuck in the mushy mud. I was determined this would be the day we made our destination. Lunches packed in our saddlebags and our ponchos tied on the back of the saddle we mounted our horses and set out for the trail toward Phelps Lake. We passed the tall stalks of white cows parsnips, purple monks hoods, and cone flowers interspersed with stretches of pine forests. As we came to the open space above the trees we saw marmots making hay on the rocks. It was there we turned off the trail to climb into the high mountain path. Deep into the trees again we came upon a stream with huge boulders on the other side. Suddenly our horses stopped dead in their tracks, as if paralyzed with fear. I had never know until now if my horse was named Bananas because he looked like one or he went bananas on occasion. Now it was clear it was not that he looked like one. Wondering what had provoked the sudden come to a halt stance, the three of us looked all around. It was huge, actually gargantuan, as the Bear stood up on his hind legs and held his front paws high in the air. It was the most terrifying sight I had ever seen. When the realization came through of the extreme danger we were all in, it hit the horses at the same time. They took off like there was no tomorrow! They were literally running for their life. They forgot during this gallop to stay alive that we were on board. They ran through the trees not remembering we had legs that had to pass between the trees, as well. The horses were lathered in sweat and our palms were so drenched with perspiration that the reigns were slipping through our fingers. Not that we had control any way. What had taken hours to ride toward the draw flew by all the way back to the barn. Back at the ranch they tried to minimize the bear sighting by saying he was a black bear and he was eating a deceased horse and wouldn’t have bothered us. Not long afterward I was at the San Diego zoo and there before my eyes was a sign saying GRIZZLEY BEAR. This was just like the enormous bear we had seen standing before us high on his haunches that I now knew for sure was in fact a giant griz! Whoa! That was the day I realized I really could ride! Lou Wade.