Forward / by Maurice Hornocker -- Forward / by Carol Arnold -- Introduction and setting -- Part One -- First days on the job : a test of mettle -- Mule packing 101 -- Touching the past with Doc -- Backcountry radio : our lifeline -- Backcountry routines -- Speaking muleskinner -- Mules to the rescue! -- Del and Bernie : oil and water -- Building a hay barn -- Call me Joe Smuckatelly -- Kamir and the headless wood rat -- Orphan cougar's return -- Sounds in the night -- Unexpected visitors -- Backcountry woodsmanship -- Mother Nature's fury -- Landed right side up -- Bighorn sheep : our canyon neighbors -- Ray and the backcountry pilots fraternity -- Call in the National Guard! -- The first goodbye to Taylor Ranch -- Part Two -- Return to Taylor Ranch -- Legends of a cannon and buried treasure -- Electrification of Taylor Ranch -- Adventures in field biology -- Living in a National Geographic special -- Intern mentoring : bonded by adventure -- Teachable moments -- Hiking club presidents -- Taylor olympics and derby competitions -- Carnivore research : understanding nature's connections -- Wolves at our door -- Horse and mule escapes -- Cricket the wonder mule -- From the frying pan into the fire -- Wheat thin : cracker or bear? -- The second flying cabin -- Restoring a piece of Old Idaho, the Lewis Lodge -- Sheepeater Indian secrets -- Backcountry community -- The Big Creek dogs, they're family -- Conclusion: Wilderness reflections.