dadof3

Around the Banff, Canada area there are signs saying you must hike/walk in groups of at least six people. Is this the rule in Alaska also?

There are often people waiting to join a group, so people don't have trouble making up the numbers.

PaulRabe

In thirty years of hiking, including trips to Banff and to Alaska, I've never seen a sign or a brochure REQUIRING a certain number of people in a hike. I've seen ADVICE against hiking alone, particularly in bear country (like Banff), but I've never seen it required. Since I hike alone 95% of the time -- including bear country (and I've encountered bears while hiking alone) I'd certainly recall such a notice.

If there's a place in Alaska where one MUST hike alone, then I don't recall it.

Pat2003

My husband and I are hikers. Visited Banff only twice and hiked many trails, just two of us. On the other hand we visit Alaska at least once a year and hike everywhere including the most remote areas around Arctic Circle, also Denali, Katmai NP, Katchemak Bay, Kodiak Island and never ever we heard of such rules. In Katmai we hiked with our two dear friends who are park rangers and they never told us of this requirements. Where did you get this false information? If we had to wait in White Mountain, AK for four other people to join us we would be still waiting.

Fodorite018

We have also hiked in the Banff/Lake Louise area, and have seen that notice. We were there 2 years ago and the park ranger at Lake Louise posted a sign. Some trails were closed for a day or two due to bear sightings, and after that they put the notice up about a 6 person minimum. A day or two later, the notice was gone. I think it just depends on what is going on at any given time. I have no idea about Alaska though. Just wanted to share our experience and am guessing that is what dadof3 is thinking of.

enzian

There is a sign about hiking in groups of six (minimum) at the Moraine Lake trailhead that looks fairly permanent.

enzian

Sorry---I had to leave before I could finish. I believe the question is simply whether the "rule of 6" is ever imposed on hikers in Alaska. The answer, according to Pat2003 as well as my own experience, is "No".

christy1

I thought this was the strangest thing-I've hiked in bear country and never seen such a rule-so I googled. It turns out they have had so many conflicts between people and Grizzlies that are accustomed to people on this trail, and a few others, they sometimes institute rules like this. Here is a link to some info about it, and here is the main explanation:

"The following are some of the ideas that have been piloted to date:
- An adaptive human-use management initiative called "restricted access". This management option, which is implemented when a grizzly bear is exhibiting bold behaviour in the area, requires people to hike in groups of six or more, and horseback riders to be in groups of two or more. This approach was implemented in an effort to allow safe public access while preventing further habituation of the bears."

http://www.pc.gc.ca/apprendre-learn/...an3case1_e.asp

dadof3

Thank you mms, enzian, and christy1 for validating that I didn't dream this. I also recall, from fading memory, there was a steep fine for anyone not adhering to the 6 minimum. Anyone recall that?