fae

Just returned from Canadian Rockies, and I can confirm that there is a four person minimum restriction on all hikes around Lake Moraine area due to bears feeding on the berries in that area. There is a signup sheet outside the LL visitor center to assist in forming groups of four if your party is less than four. We hiked Consolation Lake trail with just our family but there are four of us. Signs are at the trailheads of all those trails detailing the restriction to 4 or more in each hiking party. No restrictions in the LL area.

I hope to get started on my trip report this weekend. Had to get daughter packed up and on her way back to college first.

0leg

What happen if I violate "the rule of four"?! Do they actually put a ranger at the trail head to COUNT PEOPLE?!
Do they CATCH me on the trail, evacuate & throw in JAIL? Come on here, unless there's an actual physical restrictions there's noone will tell us what to do.
It is not arrogance. We spent 4 days face -to-face with bears 2 years ago in Hallo Bay Camp in Katmai NP.

DaveS

We too spent three days at Hallo Bay back in 2003. Totally different environment. The bears know you are there and you are with a guide familiar with each bears temperment. In our two weeks in the Banff/Jasper/Yoho area last month there were three separate bear incidents, one a woman killed at Panorama ski area while biking. The bear restrictions might be lifted by the time you get there, otherwise why take chances? They put the minimum in place due to several serious encounters in these areas several years ago. You can check this site for up-to-date trail conditions and restrictions: http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/tcond/cond_e.asp?oPark=100092
You're lucky there are just restrictions. When we were there in 1998 the trails were closed.

Judy_in_Calgary

>>>>>>We spent 4 days face -to-face with bears 2 years ago in Hallo Bay Camp in Katmai NP.<<<<<<

You also can do that at Knight Inlet on the coast of British Columbia.

The difference between the coastal bears and the ones in the Canadian Rockies is that the coastal bears live in a much richer ecosystem where they have to work much less in order to find the food that will pack on the fat that will take them through the winter.

The environment in the Rocky Mountains is dryer and less rich in foodstuff. There bears have to work much harder to find the food they need. Each bear requires a larger territory to support itself. Bears in the Rockies are less tolerant of <b>each other</b> and less tolerant of other creatures that interfere with their &quot;job,&quot; which is to pack on enough fat for the coming winter.

Your experience at Hallo Bay Camp means bugger all in the Rockies.

0leg

Judy,
Thanks for Knight Inlet suggestion.

What I have learnt during my life is that only two-legged animals are dangerous. The rest I can deal with. The only tool we may need is just a whistle.
I live in a country &amp; city full of nightmarish rules, norms and restrictions. Most of them are just plain stupid. Why 4 people? Why not 3 or 5? Is it scientificantly proven that bears do NOT attack 4 people but DO attack 3 ? What if 3 people are noisier than 4?
Still the question remains: is there a physical barrier to prevent me from entering the trail if there'a bear warning and not enough people in the group?

fae

We saw no physical barriers to stop less than four going on the trail. We also saw no park rangers anywhere except in the visitor centers in all our hiking and we did lots of hiking everyday.

Judy_in_Calgary

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Why 4 people? Why not 3 or 5? Is it scientificantly proven that bears do NOT attack 4 people but DO attack 3 ? What if 3 people are noisier than 4?&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;

A study of negative human-bear encounters in the Canadian Rockies has found that no bear attacks have occurred on close groups of 4 or more people.

The largest group of people that has been attacked by a bear has been a group of 3 people.

For example, a woman, who was one of a group of 3 people, was killed by a bear on a path adjacent to a golf course on the outskirt of Canmore in 2005.

&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;&gt;Still the question remains: is there a physical barrier to prevent me from entering the trail if there'a bear warning and not enough people in the group?&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;&lt;

As Fae has stated, the answer in most cases is, &quot;No.&quot;

0leg

Thanks, friends.
We are more concerned about the behavior of 2-legged animals at the lookout parking lots than 4-legged species in the forest. Just called Hertz to ensure our vehicle has a trunk.
Also, prepared 2 fliers (one on each side of the car) to explain to the beasts that all possible objects of their interest are hiking with the owners, and that luggage left in the trunk contains very old, worn clothes only.

LindainOhio

I really think you would be happier staying at least your first night in Lake Louise. We also hate to pack and unpack but it would be such a shame to rush through the Icefields Parkway.

That way you could arrive in Lake Louise, early afternoon, perhaps hike to the Lake Agnes teahouse, hike Johnston Canyon or stop in Banff for lunch.

You could hike the Wilcox Pass on your drive to Jasper and then do Parker Ridge on your drive back down to Lake Louise. You would have plenty of time to enjoy the many scenic stops on the Parkway. It also gives you 2 chances to have clear weather for your drive.