Jonesy
Regular Member
I have been doing alot of hiking in SNP and GWNF and have now had 3 separate bear encounters (despite Peter Nap's suggestion that I would probably never see one in my related post), one with mama bear and 2 cubs, others with somewhat sizeable males (I think). The latest happened yesterday going up the Cedar Run trail in SNP (which is a magnificent 8.5 mile waterfall canyon hike, coming back down White Oak Canyon).
I was proceeding up a steep section of trail around 8:30 am, with the mountain rising extremely steeply above me to my left, came around a corner in the trail, and the bear was above me to my left maybe only 25 feet away. This was startling, as it felt like he could jump down on me within seconds, but he quickly dashed uphill and directly away from me. I had my hand on my weapon quickly but did not draw seeing him retreating. I think he did not hear me due to the sound of the nearby water. He retreated maybe 30 yards and stopped and was staring down at me. I slowly started moving up the trail and away from him without turning my back. My main concern now was that he would follow me, but the undergrowth was very thick so I thought I may hear him unless he got on the trail behind me. I got around the next corner on the trail and moved quickly uphill, listening carefully and frequently checking the trail behind me. I started feeling safer after I put some distance between us.
Anyways, it seems there are quite a few bears in SNP and GWNF, and while it seems the danger of a bear attack is rather low due to the generally timid nature of the black bears, and because you all have convinced me that 2 legged critters are an even bigger potential danger, I will be open carrying on all my hikes when legal to do so. My further research into black bears shows that extremely occasionally they become predatory towards humans. It will be interesting to see how others on the trails and the rangers react to me, as many visit SNP from DC, Maryland and other gun unfriendly areas. Is anyone else on here ocing in SNP?
I was proceeding up a steep section of trail around 8:30 am, with the mountain rising extremely steeply above me to my left, came around a corner in the trail, and the bear was above me to my left maybe only 25 feet away. This was startling, as it felt like he could jump down on me within seconds, but he quickly dashed uphill and directly away from me. I had my hand on my weapon quickly but did not draw seeing him retreating. I think he did not hear me due to the sound of the nearby water. He retreated maybe 30 yards and stopped and was staring down at me. I slowly started moving up the trail and away from him without turning my back. My main concern now was that he would follow me, but the undergrowth was very thick so I thought I may hear him unless he got on the trail behind me. I got around the next corner on the trail and moved quickly uphill, listening carefully and frequently checking the trail behind me. I started feeling safer after I put some distance between us.
Anyways, it seems there are quite a few bears in SNP and GWNF, and while it seems the danger of a bear attack is rather low due to the generally timid nature of the black bears, and because you all have convinced me that 2 legged critters are an even bigger potential danger, I will be open carrying on all my hikes when legal to do so. My further research into black bears shows that extremely occasionally they become predatory towards humans. It will be interesting to see how others on the trails and the rangers react to me, as many visit SNP from DC, Maryland and other gun unfriendly areas. Is anyone else on here ocing in SNP?
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