Oops! I've directed this repsonse to the previous responder -sorry!

A novice hiker was asking a ranger how to tell if grizzly bears or black bears were in the area:

'You can tell by their droppings' said the ranger - the Grizzly droppings have little bells in them!

. . . . . .and then there are cougars (the 4-legged kind ). . . . .

"the Grizzly droppings have little bells in them"
That made me laugh!
Well heck, between the bears/cougars, alligators/sharks....it's a wonder my boys will make it to age 15.
I promise, I'm not THAT worried! Our trip is fast approaching and I am more excited about that than anything.
We WILL go on hikes regardless. We WILL follow the recommendations and cautions the park service suggest. And we won't be ringing any dinner bells but will jingle down the trail with our bear bells instead.
However, I have contacted a local school about hiring their marching band for our hikes.
I wait their reply....

If the school band isn't available, let me know. My 4th grader took up the tenor sax this year and I'd be glad to lend him to you. I'm confident that the bears (and moose, and beavers, and deer, and chipmunks, and all other fauna within a mile) would keep a healthy distance when they hear this strange ship's "fog horn" amongst the trees!