Tracking at Clayton Beach with the Roosevelt Elk Calves

Hiking into the ravine

The Roosevelt Elk Calves arrived at Clayton Beach on a drizzly Pacific Northwest morning ready to explore. Starting things off we circled up to discuss our plan for the day, introduce our new skills focus of the Art of Tracking, and introduce the Roosevelt Elk Calves new mentor Chris. With our logistics out of the way it was time to explore. Focusing up we navigated that hazardous Chuckanut Drive to get down into the ever popular forested ravine just below the big stair case.

  

Hearing a loud rushing sound in the distance, and recalling how much rain we had, it shouldn’t have been much of a surprise when we turned a corner and saw the massive amount of water rushing through the ravine. This may not have been too significant to the average adventurer, but this group has been here before during the spring and summer when water levels are merely a trickle. Witnessing the vast fluctuation, and power of so much water rushing down from the Chuckanuts, was a powerful moment for these Explorers and their reaction spoke to the depth of their connection to this place. 

Playing in the overflow of the creek

  

After spending some time discussing how to navigate the risk of increased stream flow, and walking through risk management analysis using our “S.T.O.P.P” model (Stop, Think, Observe, Plan, Proceed) we agreed upon a set of guidelines to help us explore safely. We dropped our packs and perused up and down the stream finding countless things to occupy ourselves from trying to make a bridge across the creek to tossing sticks into the rushing water and watching them crash down the powerful waterfall. With a quick group circle we came to a consensus to skip out on a game of Spider’s Web to make an early move down to the beach.

Hiking down to the beach we appreciated a break in the rain. Being careful to cross the train tracks together as a group after ensuring no trains were nearby we finally arrived at the sandy beach. Of course we had to spend some time exploring, but soon transitioned to an introduction into the Art of Tracking. While gathering up in a circle and settling in for a story about tracking, a Bald Eagle came soaring up the coastline and over our heads. Pausing to observe the eagle, we were privileged to witness it turn on its wings, begin to descend towards the beach only to swoop down and snatch up a fish right in front of the group. Perhaps the eagle wanted to show off for us or, more likely, it was just hungry. Either way we reveled in the moment before moving on with our lesson.

Exploring the rocks at Clayton Beach

Without any more interruptions from hungry eagles, we learned how to perceive the Art of Tracking as learning how to read a book. Each track represents a letter, each set 2-4 tracks (biped/quadruped) represents a word, a string of tracks in line a sentence, a string of tracks plus environmental variables a paragraph, a line of tracks within context developing over time and distance creating multiple layers of paragraphs creating a story. Every animal leaves track and sign that is left for us to interpret and piece together the letters into words, into sentences, into paragraphs, into the animal’s story. With this perspective, we transitioned to practical application. Utilizing the sand we practiced walking, running, and crawling on all fours to see what signs we left. Next we embodied different animals using “animal forms” to glean insight into animal locomotion and what sort of evidence is left behind. Of course with how playful this group is, we were soon lined up and getting ready for an “Animal Forms Relay Race” where each group had to take turns going down and back as a different animal. No one knows who won, but I think in the end we all did as we not only learned a bit about tracking, but had a blast doing so. 

On your marks, get set, go!

And they're off...

Its going to be a photo finish!

With some extra time left we decided to spend the remainder of the outing exploring the beach, searching for crab under rocks, climbing on sandstone, and looking around at all the dog tracks to glean some more wisdom into the Art of Tracking. The Roosevelt Elk Calves demonstrated their trademark enthusiasm for exploration and play, but were able to channel that fun-loving attitude into an excitable energy for learning a new skill. If this group keeps things up we are going to have a ton of fun this spring as we continue delving into the Art of Tracking and understanding the intricacies of the natural world.

Make sure to check out the rest of our photos from the outing here!