What would you do if you’re all geared up to conquer the great outdoors, your hiking boots laced, your water bottle filled, ready to soak in all that nature has to offer, but when you get there, you find the trail closed—not because of weather or fallen trees, no—but because a massive bull moose has decided it’s his trail now. Yeah, I'm not sure what I'd do either, but that’s exactly what’s happening on Goodman Mountain Trail in New York’s Adirondacks. And trust us, this isn’t your average animal sighting.
This is the story of one very stubborn, very chill moose who’s brought human hiking plans to a screeching halt for no apparent reason other than he feels like it. Oh, and he’s not moving. At. All.
Meet the Trail Boss
First off, let’s talk about the star of this absurd backcountry drama. Standing six feet tall at the shoulder (yes, you read that right) and weighing a casual 900 pounds, this bull moose is the definition of “I do what I want.” With antlers that could double as satellite dishes, he’s parked himself smack dab in the middle of the trail and has been there all summer.
What’s he doing, you ask? Well, the usual moose stuff—but in the most inconvenient spot possible. He grazes lazily, he stretches out like he’s on a recliner, and sometimes he just stares off into the distance. Meanwhile, hikers are stuck at the starting line, and park rangers are left whispering sweet nothings (read: trying everything) to get him to go anywhere else. Plot twist: he’s not budging.
The Rangers vs. Moose Showdown
The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) caught wind of this trail diva back in early June. They immediately decided to shut down Goodman Mountain Trail, mainly because dealing with a 900-pound roadblock is complicated. Not to mention, it’s a bit risky if hikers don’t read the room (or nature) and try to get too close.
Trail cameras went up, and rangers headed out to investigate what was going on. Here’s what they found out so far: the moose seems healthy-ish. Sure, he’s looking a tad thinner than usual, but nothing screams emergency. He’s not barking mad (he’s a moose, after all), sick, or even in a bad mood. No aggressive behavior, no signs he’s about to charge. He’s just... there. Being massive. Owning the path.
And yet, no amount of coaxing, monitoring, or wishful thinking has worked. DEC staff are scratching their heads, hikers are miffed, and the moose? He seems thoroughly unbothered by all the fuss.
When Moose Squatters Get Territorial
Here’s where things get tricky. While this big guy keeps to himself, there’s no guarantee that he’ll stay calm if someone gets too close. And believe us, you don’t want to end up on the wrong end of those antlers. He’s a wild animal, after all.
There’s also the matter of his health. Wildlife experts are cautiously observing, theorizing that parasites might explain why he’s stuck in one spot and refuses to move. Moose are susceptible to a couple of nasty critters that can mess with their bodies and behavior. But diagnosing any potential illness in the wild is, well, complicated. For now, rangers are playing a game of “watch and wait.” They’ve even stationed trail cameras to keep tabs on him like a reality show contestant.
Hikers Hit Pause While The Moose Ponders
With the trail closed indefinitely, outdoor enthusiasts are left either rerouting their plans or, more realistically, cackling over the hilarity of a wild animal hijacking a summer trail. Social media posts have been pouring in with theories about the moose’s “motives.” Is he protesting crowds? Moonlighting as a sentinel of the wilderness? Or maybe he’s just meditating on the mysteries of life.
Whatever the reason, one thing is beyond clear. This moose has inadvertently become a local legend. People are rooting for him, perplexed by him, and slightly annoyed at losing access to what was supposed to be their scenic mountain hike.
Moose or Mystery?
For now, the Goodman Mountain Moose saga continues to unfold in slow motion. DEC experts are determined to monitor his behavior and hopefully see him return to lower altitudes on his own, as moose usually prefer swampy, aquatic feeding grounds in the summer. But judging by his track record so far, patience is key.
The big question on everyone’s mind is whether this bull will complete his stubborn sit-in before snow covers the trail. If not, things could get even trickier, since food availability may decline as the weather changes, forcing rangers to intervene. Until then, we wait.
