Digbydog

Just returned from vacation and am starting to plan summer 2015. I have to have something to look forward to! I am thinking about the Canadian Rockies, but my husband is an avid runner, and we just did a trip to St. John where he was not able to run because of dangerous roads.

We will be doing lots of hiking, but he does not get the same endorphin release on a hike as on a run. Are there places in Lake Louise/Banff/Jasper where it is safe to run, i.e., quiet roads and not much chance of meeting a grizzly?

kgsneds

Welcome!

You can certainly jog in the Rockies, but the viability depends on where you are in the mountains. Trail running is more popular given the paucity of 'flat' areas and wide roads/sidewalks in the mountains

In Jasper, you could run around the streets in the townsite and on the local trails. The latter would require decent shoes - probably trail runners as opposed to regular running shoes (better tread). And bear spray.

Lake Louise really has little to no options - it's just a cluster of hotels and narrow roads with no sidewalks. There are some trails in the townsite, so you could trail run. However, the trails are frequented by bears, so can be closed. It also is very crowded in the summer, so going at a running pace could be difficult.

In Banff, you have plenty of options in the residential area and along the river. Lots of trails.

Anywhere, however, he would need to carry bear spray, especially in Lake Louise/Banff and earlier in the season. This year, there are have been quite a few bears right in the middle of Banff, Lake Louise and around Jasper. So you have to pay attention to warnings/closures, carry spray and make plenty of noise.

Digbydog

kgsneds--thanks so much for your detailed reply. We are thinking of visiting in July. Any fewer bears at that time? Trail running with bears around makes me nervous. Would he have to worry about bears in the town of Jasper or in the residential area or along the river in Banff?

I am assuming the bears in town were black bears? We were in Whistler a few years ago, and my husband was told not to worry about black bears when he was running. They were very used to people and just ignored them. Is that true in the Canadian Rockies?

colduphere

I'm smiling at this question as I used to run in those areas when I was in the area for work. It was a little nerve wracking.

Dgsneds has much better information than I do. But I do want to suggest your husband not run listening to music. I can't believe how many people I see doing that in bear areas.

kgsneds

Usually the bears start moving up to higher elevations as the snow melts and food sources become available. This year everything has been a little late. So I wouldn't stop being cautious in July.

There are both black and grizzly bears in all three locations. Certainly have been bears all through Jasper, and as I said, there were a number of bears RIGHT in the middle of Banff this year. One walked right through the main park when it was full of people.

Most tend to want to avoid humans, but some have been aggressive, so you want to avoid any situations of contact. If they feel threatened, they will not ignore you. Which is why it's important not to wear headphones, make plenty of noise, run during daylight hours and carry bear spray. (I don't know about Whistler, but that advice is dead wrong for the Rockies - black bears are often more curious and can be more dangerous).

As to trail running - no more problematic than jogging in the town since bears are everywhere.

panecott

Hmmmm... So what is the bear situation like in September?

And this is a really dumb question, but what do you do with bear spray? Do you spray it on bears if they get too close but before you faint from fright? Or is is something you spray on yourself like bug repellent? And how effective is it?

lunabug

I run a lot in the foothills near Jasper. When in more remote area where meeting wildlife is possible I always carry bearspray and use bear bells too. The bearspray would be used by spraying it into the face of an aggressive bear. It is a cayenne pepper spray and you really don't want to get it on yourself if you can avoid it. Having said that I have never ran into any animals more dangerous than deer. If you are in Jasper in the Summer months many of the trails have a lot of people on them too, reducing the risk of surprising a bear.

panecott

Thanks, lunabug. I think I will get myself the bells and the spray.

I am traveling alone so other than talking to myself, I guess the bells will be the best way to keep the bears at bay.

I've done a lot of traveling in the US Natl. parks where there is always the possibility of running into bears, but not really the likelihood -- altho' once in Glacier NP in Montana,I went on a hike on an uncrowded trail and when I got back to my car there was a pile of bear scat right near it.

Meeting up with bears sounds a lot more likely in Canada, however so something tells me I might be wary of venturing away from the beaten path.

kgsneds

Don' bother with the bells. Research actually suggest they may attract black bears who are curious about the sound. They are jokingly referred to as 'dinner bells'. More 'human' sounds are better - talking, singing, loud footsteps or other rattly things.

Bear spray is the best, then bear bangers.

Human presence also doesn't necessarily keep bears away. There have been plenty of bears in well trafficked areas this year. They will go where the food is...

panecott

Well, if I sing, I'll be sure to scare them away, as well as any humans nearby, too.


What are bear bangers?

colduphere

And if anyone is running in Alaska:

"Coltrane repeated Alaska mantras: "Travel in groups, make a lot of noise, carry bear spray," she said. "Also, do not wear anything that might impede your ability to hear, like earbuds.""

http://www.ktuu.com/news/news/troope...uling/26829642

lunabug

A bear banger is a sort of 'gun' that shoots blanks and makes a loud noise. That and whistles are also recommended to scare bears away. FWIW I still think bells are a good idea when you are quietly running through the bush. It never hurts to alert a bear that you are in the area rather than to run up to it and surprise it.

panecott

Thanks, lunabug.

Now, those of you who live in the area, or have traveled there, have you ever run into a bear on a path or on the road, etc.,?

If so, how did you handle it? And I'm glad you're here to tell about it.

Digbydog

Unfortunately after reading everyone's responses, my husband put the kibosh on this trip. He only gets one big vacation a year, and he loves running too much to be worried every time he goes out that he may run into a bear. I made him promise that we will go when he retires, and we have more time to travel. Thanks though for taking the time to respond.

colduphere

Sounds like he's turned bearish on the Rockies.

Digbydog

Ha! Ha!

I have to say it made me laugh to think of him heading out for a run weighed down with bear spray and a bear banger, as he sang while running.

colduphere

Digbydog if the Digby in you name refers to Digby in Nova Scotia I must smile as my BIL comes from up the road in Bear River.

Did anyone mention cougars? I can get over the bears. Cougars make me really nervous.

panecott

Digbydog, these comments have me rethinking this vacation also.

I was hoping to do a lot of hiking but I'm not sure I want to venture out on the trails if there's a strong likelihood of running into a bear.

I do want to see the Canadian Rockies before I die but I don't want to die doing it.

What to do!? What to do?!

LindainOhio

My husband was training for a marathon when we visited and he ran everyday. He ran on the streets before breakfast. I can't see that there would be any problem running the streets before the traffic gets bad. We stayed at Paradise Lodge and cottages and there was a great run right down the street to Lake Louise. We stayed at Patricia Lake in Jasper and the road was a great place to run.

This is such a gorgeous and wonderful area to visit. I think he would love running here.

Digbydog

Colduphere--our dog is named Digby for Digby, Nova Scotia, but we don't live there. We had just been to N.S. for vacation right before we got him.

Panecott--we have run into bears while hiking, and it sort of takes your breath away, but hiking scares me less than running does. I feel like a runner looks like prey, and it's hard to make a lot of noise running by yourself, not to mention that you are by yourself. While hiking, you can make a lot of noise, and let them know you are coming, so that they take off.

Linda--you are making me rethink things. My biggest fear is that I talk him into going, and then he is taken out by a bear. I would never forgive myself. Just got back from lunch with a friend who just returned from the CR, and she was so disappointed that she never saw a bear.