Bears in Glacier National Park
Jul 11th, 2013, 06:18 PM
#21
spiro,
You are allowed to carry bear spray across the border as long as it's clearly labeled.
I bought my spray last summer at the general store in Babb. It's right on the main street thru the town. It's called Thronson's.
Fishercap lake is a very short hike. The trail starts at the far end of the lower (main) parking lot at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
The Iceberg Lake trail starts at the upper parking area at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. We didn't take the ranger-led hike as my daughter wanted to sleep an hour longer. We left 9:30 (the ranger-led hike leaves at 8"30) and we caught up to them after a while. They stop often. Partly for the slower people and partly because the ranger will give a lot of explanations.
On the way back the Iceberg Lake we saw a grizzly about 10 yards above us walking parallel to us. We took some quick pictures and stopped to let it go. Instead he came down onto our trail, walked a few yards, turned towards us and sat down to splash in a little stream and cool off. This lasted about 20 minutes until he got up and ran up the hill.
For the Grinnell Glacier hike going with the ranger is a good idea as the boat ride knocks off a couple of miles. This hike is shorter than Iceberg but quite a bit steeper. Tougher on old knees.
I also found Hidden lake a bit of an issue. A good part of the trail is on a boardwalk and there are a lot of stairs.
The hardest hike we did was in Waterton Lakes. Bear's Hump. Not that long but STEEP. A lot of high earth, rock and railway tie stairs.
The area with the cable on Highline wasn't a problem. That would usually freak me out. It's quite a bit wider than I thought it would be.
Also, I was quite surprised at how nice St Mary and Virginia Falls are.
You are allowed to carry bear spray across the border as long as it's clearly labeled.
I bought my spray last summer at the general store in Babb. It's right on the main street thru the town. It's called Thronson's.
Fishercap lake is a very short hike. The trail starts at the far end of the lower (main) parking lot at the Swiftcurrent Motor Inn.
The Iceberg Lake trail starts at the upper parking area at Swiftcurrent Motor Inn. We didn't take the ranger-led hike as my daughter wanted to sleep an hour longer. We left 9:30 (the ranger-led hike leaves at 8"30) and we caught up to them after a while. They stop often. Partly for the slower people and partly because the ranger will give a lot of explanations.
On the way back the Iceberg Lake we saw a grizzly about 10 yards above us walking parallel to us. We took some quick pictures and stopped to let it go. Instead he came down onto our trail, walked a few yards, turned towards us and sat down to splash in a little stream and cool off. This lasted about 20 minutes until he got up and ran up the hill.
For the Grinnell Glacier hike going with the ranger is a good idea as the boat ride knocks off a couple of miles. This hike is shorter than Iceberg but quite a bit steeper. Tougher on old knees.
I also found Hidden lake a bit of an issue. A good part of the trail is on a boardwalk and there are a lot of stairs.
The hardest hike we did was in Waterton Lakes. Bear's Hump. Not that long but STEEP. A lot of high earth, rock and railway tie stairs.
The area with the cable on Highline wasn't a problem. That would usually freak me out. It's quite a bit wider than I thought it would be.
Also, I was quite surprised at how nice St Mary and Virginia Falls are.
Jul 12th, 2013, 03:03 AM
#22
spiro,
I forgot to mention. From the airport you'll loop over and around the airport onto Rt 2 (Deerfoot Trail). This is the road that goes all the way down to the border and to Glacier NP.
To go to Waterton Lakes you'll probably veer onto Rt 6 at Fort MacLeod.
Just below the Calgary airport in the back of the Deerfoot Mall (you can't see it from the front. you have to drive around back) is a Walmart Supercenter. You can pick up all of you supplies there.
To get there you go down Rt 2 (it's actually parallel to the airport so the exit is very soon) and get off at 64th Ave NE. The mall is on the Southeast corner.
The only things you really can't take across the border are citrus and raw meat. Pretty much anything else.
In fact, I didn't realize that my daughter had actually bought some citrus and the agent at the border just laughed and told her not to sell it.
I forgot to mention. From the airport you'll loop over and around the airport onto Rt 2 (Deerfoot Trail). This is the road that goes all the way down to the border and to Glacier NP.
To go to Waterton Lakes you'll probably veer onto Rt 6 at Fort MacLeod.
Just below the Calgary airport in the back of the Deerfoot Mall (you can't see it from the front. you have to drive around back) is a Walmart Supercenter. You can pick up all of you supplies there.
To get there you go down Rt 2 (it's actually parallel to the airport so the exit is very soon) and get off at 64th Ave NE. The mall is on the Southeast corner.
The only things you really can't take across the border are citrus and raw meat. Pretty much anything else.
In fact, I didn't realize that my daughter had actually bought some citrus and the agent at the border just laughed and told her not to sell it.
Jul 14th, 2013, 04:07 PM
#23
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John -- I've read the book, as well as Stephen Herrero's book; which is THE book on bear attacks. In the Glacier Park attack
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ha..._the_Grizzlies
discussed in the former book:
1) Roy Ducat and Julie Hegelson were BY THEMSELVES -- foolishly, IMHO, because they had repeatedly warned that bears were roaming the area looking for human food (garbage dumping was ended soon after this 1967 attack) -- when mauled.
2) Jerry Koons was sleeping by himself at night, when a group of five people spent the night in an area THEY KNEW to have an aggressive bear in it. They were NOT huddled together during the day, which was my advice. If you want me to add "during the day" to my statement, I'd be glad to.
I think it is safe to assume this family will not be camping in area known to have an aggressive bear in it.
If they stay together during the day, don't ignore signs stating, "Trail closed due to bear activity," and practice Bear Aware techniques; they'll be fine.
It will ALWAYS be more likely that they will be hurt by a drunk driver while driving to Glacier NP than by a bear while in it. The problem is, people who die in a car wreck aren't the lead story on CNN when it happens, so people think bears are more dangerous than drivers. But people killed in a car accident are just as dead as those mauled by a bear.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Ha..._the_Grizzlies
discussed in the former book:
1) Roy Ducat and Julie Hegelson were BY THEMSELVES -- foolishly, IMHO, because they had repeatedly warned that bears were roaming the area looking for human food (garbage dumping was ended soon after this 1967 attack) -- when mauled.
2) Jerry Koons was sleeping by himself at night, when a group of five people spent the night in an area THEY KNEW to have an aggressive bear in it. They were NOT huddled together during the day, which was my advice. If you want me to add "during the day" to my statement, I'd be glad to.
I think it is safe to assume this family will not be camping in area known to have an aggressive bear in it.
If they stay together during the day, don't ignore signs stating, "Trail closed due to bear activity," and practice Bear Aware techniques; they'll be fine.
It will ALWAYS be more likely that they will be hurt by a drunk driver while driving to Glacier NP than by a bear while in it. The problem is, people who die in a car wreck aren't the lead story on CNN when it happens, so people think bears are more dangerous than drivers. But people killed in a car accident are just as dead as those mauled by a bear.
Aug 16th, 2013, 08:01 PM
#24
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The advice to be bear aware is very good! The bears here are getting more and more used to human interaction and are not always afraid. More and more they are right in towns on the east side. The advice to make yourself appear large if in an encounter is wise. In the matter of a couple of months I knew three people charged (one my Dad) and they all made them selves appear bigger... formed a group, opened up jackets wide, and raised arms anything to look bigger and in all three cases the bear or bears retreated. One charged to within 15 feet. Not to say that this will work every time but it is still good advice. And none of these were in the park but near the park. Honestly I am not afraid to hike in the park or on the front range of the Rockies at all... we do it frequently. If you encounter a bear stay calm and just remember all the things you have read to do and follow park guidelines and respect closed trail signs and you will be fine.
September is an amazing time to go! The days are cooler and the wildlife becomes more abundant and the park is quieter. We tend to visit in April and September most often. Some of the restaurants and shops will be closing, but we have never had a problem finding what we need. Enjoy your trip! Remember when looking for moose to look deep into the trees they are very good at hiding sometimes you won't notice them till you see an ear twitch
September is an amazing time to go! The days are cooler and the wildlife becomes more abundant and the park is quieter. We tend to visit in April and September most often. Some of the restaurants and shops will be closing, but we have never had a problem finding what we need. Enjoy your trip! Remember when looking for moose to look deep into the trees they are very good at hiding sometimes you won't notice them till you see an ear twitch
Aug 17th, 2013, 03:01 AM
#25
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Four hikers were charged this week by a mama bear protecting her cub in Yellowstone. Two of the hikers were able to discharge their bear spray, but two of the hikers did sustain injuries. Every bear encounter is different and this is just a great example of why everyone in your group should carry bear spray.
http://hikinginglacier.blogspot.com/...tone-bear.html
http://hikinginglacier.blogspot.com/...tone-bear.html
Aug 17th, 2013, 03:19 AM
#26
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if you are going to get bear spray (very bizarre thing to do) also get elk, wolf, rattle snake, hornet, wasp, mosquito, deer fly, horse fly, gnat, coyote and bison spray as they are about too. Be sure to watch the movie RV with robin Williams if you are going that route.
Aug 17th, 2013, 05:16 AM
#27
Wild animals are wild animals and unpredictable. However, there's a reason you're supposed to be farther from bears than most others.
Bear spray is a good idea as it is effective and bears can do damage.
Essentially, bears are not predators. All they really want to do is protect their offspring and eat berries to prepare for winter.
According to the instructions you are responsible for your own safety.
In general grizzlies won't attack unless they have little ones and feel threatened or are surprised. The best thing is to be in a group to look bigger and make noise so the grizzly knows you're there and they'll generally keep clear.
If a grizzly attacks and you have discharged your bear spray, lie down on your stomach with your backpack on your back and cover the back of your head/neck with your hands. The grizzly will very quickly leave. I'm not sure how many people could do that rather than attempt to vacate.
For black bears the same usually applies. However, it's possible to be stalked by a black bear. In that case fight back any way you can. Sticks, rocks, etc.
You can't always tell grizzlies from black bears by color although grizzlies are usually brown and black bears usually black.
Grizzlies are generally larger. Their claws are 2 or 3 times the size though that's not how you'd like to tell. The line from the forehead to mouth of a grizzly is concave and that of a black bear is somewhat convex. The best way to differentiate is that a grizzly has a muscle hump over the shoulders.
Having said all that, most people ignore the 150 yard rule. I was in Jasper a couple of days ago. We saw a black bear and her 3 cubs right beside the road. About 7-8 people were well outside their cars taking pictures. They just kept jogging around eating.
After a few minutes I guess the mother got a bit uncomfortable. She took the 3 little ones across the road and up a little hill. We then saw the 3 cubs climb a tree. The mother then came back down the hill to eat more. When she had enough she went back up the little hill and the cubs came down from the tree.
They all took off in the woods.
About other sprays. I spent a week in Glacier, MT and never had an encounter with a mosquito. However, I then spent a couple of days in Banff and Jasper and got eaten alive. I had spray but got used to not carrying it. I guess they'll all heal in a few days.
Bear spray is a good idea as it is effective and bears can do damage.
Essentially, bears are not predators. All they really want to do is protect their offspring and eat berries to prepare for winter.
According to the instructions you are responsible for your own safety.
In general grizzlies won't attack unless they have little ones and feel threatened or are surprised. The best thing is to be in a group to look bigger and make noise so the grizzly knows you're there and they'll generally keep clear.
If a grizzly attacks and you have discharged your bear spray, lie down on your stomach with your backpack on your back and cover the back of your head/neck with your hands. The grizzly will very quickly leave. I'm not sure how many people could do that rather than attempt to vacate.
For black bears the same usually applies. However, it's possible to be stalked by a black bear. In that case fight back any way you can. Sticks, rocks, etc.
You can't always tell grizzlies from black bears by color although grizzlies are usually brown and black bears usually black.
Grizzlies are generally larger. Their claws are 2 or 3 times the size though that's not how you'd like to tell. The line from the forehead to mouth of a grizzly is concave and that of a black bear is somewhat convex. The best way to differentiate is that a grizzly has a muscle hump over the shoulders.
Having said all that, most people ignore the 150 yard rule. I was in Jasper a couple of days ago. We saw a black bear and her 3 cubs right beside the road. About 7-8 people were well outside their cars taking pictures. They just kept jogging around eating.
After a few minutes I guess the mother got a bit uncomfortable. She took the 3 little ones across the road and up a little hill. We then saw the 3 cubs climb a tree. The mother then came back down the hill to eat more. When she had enough she went back up the little hill and the cubs came down from the tree.
They all took off in the woods.
About other sprays. I spent a week in Glacier, MT and never had an encounter with a mosquito. However, I then spent a couple of days in Banff and Jasper and got eaten alive. I had spray but got used to not carrying it. I guess they'll all heal in a few days.
Aug 17th, 2013, 07:24 AM
#28
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There are rules for every wildlife.
Mooses or deers or elks charging : try to go behind an obstacle-tree, big rock,...
Bisons : go uphill ad they didn't like going up.if you are in plains and so close to a bison he can charge you , so you were ...too close!!
For bears make noise to avoid a surprised encounter and bearspray is a good defensive way no toxic for the animals.
The one who know everything and think to be able to cop with every wildlife encounter let me always laugh.
It´s true also that we have see twice this year people with guns while hiking because they said" it´s dangerous here with such a wildlife"...
I've reed some fatal attacks by bears thode last year in Glacier pr Yellowstone but never eared about dearhs by mosquitos there or coyote...
Erik
Mooses or deers or elks charging : try to go behind an obstacle-tree, big rock,...
Bisons : go uphill ad they didn't like going up.if you are in plains and so close to a bison he can charge you , so you were ...too close!!
For bears make noise to avoid a surprised encounter and bearspray is a good defensive way no toxic for the animals.
The one who know everything and think to be able to cop with every wildlife encounter let me always laugh.
It´s true also that we have see twice this year people with guns while hiking because they said" it´s dangerous here with such a wildlife"...
I've reed some fatal attacks by bears thode last year in Glacier pr Yellowstone but never eared about dearhs by mosquitos there or coyote...
Erik
Aug 17th, 2013, 07:41 AM
#30
WhereAreWe,
I tried to be a little nicer about Katzgar's post but I totally agree with you and Erik.
When a moose started to get too close to me at Fishercap Lake I looked behind me for the closest tree. It has 10-12 feet directly behind me. He veered along the shore away from me so I didn't have to move back to shelter.
Bear spray is a good idea. However, don't put it in the bottom of your backpack. Either hold it in you hand, on you belt or hang it from a front strap of your backpack (if you do this make sure you always have your backpack on your back and not in the car).
I tried to be a little nicer about Katzgar's post but I totally agree with you and Erik.
When a moose started to get too close to me at Fishercap Lake I looked behind me for the closest tree. It has 10-12 feet directly behind me. He veered along the shore away from me so I didn't have to move back to shelter.
Bear spray is a good idea. However, don't put it in the bottom of your backpack. Either hold it in you hand, on you belt or hang it from a front strap of your backpack (if you do this make sure you always have your backpack on your back and not in the car).
Aug 17th, 2013, 09:50 AM
#32
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KATZGAR I am a local. I, along with all my hiking friends, ALWAYS carry bear spray when HIKING, NEVER in a bar!!!! Have never seen a bear in a bar nor have I ever seen a local "laughed out of the joint" for carrying bear spray. However when visiting a local establishment, please leave your spray in your car.
Aug 17th, 2013, 03:32 PM
#36
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I guarantee you I saw more people carrying Bear Spray than those not(meaning at least 1 member of the group had bear spray) at Glacier National Park a few week ago. I didn't notice anyone carrying a firearm. I didn't ask anyone if they were local or not.
BTW, I don't qualify as a City Slicker. Only one stoplight within 15 miles of my house and I've lived here for 40 years. And yes, I carry bear spray when hiking in bear country.
I find that you are the bizarre one here.
BTW, I don't qualify as a City Slicker. Only one stoplight within 15 miles of my house and I've lived here for 40 years. And yes, I carry bear spray when hiking in bear country.
I find that you are the bizarre one here.
Aug 18th, 2013, 04:08 AM
#37
I am a city slicker. I did carry bear spray in Glacier NP. I didn't calculate the percentages but many people had bear spray.
I saw one girl carrying a firearm on the trail. The girl she was hiking with did not carry one. I took a picture of her from behind and it clearly shows the firearm.
Two rangers tracked me down when I went somewhere off limits. One was enforcement and not happy to walk a mile. She had a stun gun and firearm.
I saw one girl carrying a firearm on the trail. The girl she was hiking with did not carry one. I took a picture of her from behind and it clearly shows the firearm.
Two rangers tracked me down when I went somewhere off limits. One was enforcement and not happy to walk a mile. She had a stun gun and firearm.
Aug 19th, 2013, 02:10 AM
#38
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carrying a firearm in the woods in the west has nothing to do with gun crazy, has to do with threats/varmints.....like bears. I will give you 100% of the tourists were carrying bear spray. how on earth what a tourist does have anything to do with smart? Spiro you just make the case that tourists were in the park, that is axiomatic.
Aug 19th, 2013, 05:14 AM
#39
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What do you mean by varmints ?
In my traductor help , the nearest is "vermin" ..
If you think that you have nothing to do in that forum.
Bears are natural in Glacier and we are the "invaders "...
Try to give them respect and as tranquility they need.
I don't understand that need of guns...
Or you think there is nothing dangerous and walk naturally
Or you think danger could arrive due to cubs, carcass, roam,...and the best way for ALL, beats and human is bearspray.
Erik
In my traductor help , the nearest is "vermin" ..
If you think that you have nothing to do in that forum.
Bears are natural in Glacier and we are the "invaders "...
Try to give them respect and as tranquility they need.
I don't understand that need of guns...
Or you think there is nothing dangerous and walk naturally
Or you think danger could arrive due to cubs, carcass, roam,...and the best way for ALL, beats and human is bearspray.
Erik
Aug 19th, 2013, 05:25 AM
#40
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"What do you mean by varmints ?" google is your friend.
The girl that was rescued in the Idaho wilderness was discovered and reported by locals carrying handguns, something they stated during the interview they would never go into the woods without.
When you learn about bear spray you will find it only works in certain situations and must be used in a certain way. A panicked tourist is unlikely to use it properly.
The girl that was rescued in the Idaho wilderness was discovered and reported by locals carrying handguns, something they stated during the interview they would never go into the woods without.
When you learn about bear spray you will find it only works in certain situations and must be used in a certain way. A panicked tourist is unlikely to use it properly.
