One of the most surprising encounters I have ever had occurred in Denali Natl Park a few years ago, myself, wife and my mom were waling a well traveled trail along a river up there and we noticed folks stopping and spending time peering at something, as we made our way up there, we noticed a lynx, just laying in the shade, less then 10 yards away, on the bank of the river. I know lynx are one of the most secretive creatures out there, and this was a fabulous sight to behold.....few weeks later on our trip home, I had another close encounter with one when we were traveling down the Cassiar highway on the western side of BC, I to this day do not know how I missed that cat, it must have stopped and turned inches from the front left tire....