Moose Blocks Goodman Trail: New York Hikers Face 41-Day Standoff
Moose blocks Goodman Mountain trail in Tupper Lake, New York, for 41 days—park rangers armed only with binoculars and patience. Trending queries like “How dangerous are New York moose?” and “Why do moose stop moving?” surge, as officials clarify, “Based on these observations, and the terrain, the trail will remain closed to protect the moose and ensure public safety in the event of a close encounter with the public.”
While the moose’s impromptu residency redefines “trailhead,” DEC officials cite unusual animal behavior possibly linked to illness. Searches spike for “What happens if a moose charges?” and “Is it legal to approach moose?”—yet the real spectacle is a 1,500-pound mammal conducting silent yoga at the trail’s entrance, occasionally pausing to glare at hikers. “Moose can be dangerous if approached too closely,” reads the official reminder, as though daring someone to test the theory.
Since June 6, the Goodman Mountain trail has remained closed—a bull moose’s unmoved bulk transforming a hiking hotspot into a lesson in moose patience and human futility.
