Going to YNP/GT the start of next Aug.

Not a backcountry hiker but expect to do a few hikes such as Mystic Falls, possibly Mt Washburn and Hidden Falls/Inspiration Pt/some Cascade Canyon in GT.

To now haven't been spooked by possibility of bear encounters but starting to think about bear spray.

Any comments?

Also, used a wide-brimmed hat in two previous trips to Utah. Is the sun strong enough in YNP or is a baseball cap sufficient.

Little chance of an encounter if you are in a group of four and make a bit of noise, especially when passing thru thick timber or brush.

Odds go up if you are solo and silent. Most attacks occur with one or two hikers who stumble upon a bear at close range and get knocked around a bit before the frightened bear runs off. There are usually just a couple of bear 'incidents' a year in YNP and many people hike without spray, but the fewer people in your group the more sense it makes.

Most of the really nasty attacks you read about occur in campsites when bears become habituated to food and have lost their natural fear. Attacks on hikers tend to be brief and defensive.

I worked there two summers and the buffalo injured more people than did the grizzlies, and one guy was killed by a buff the first summer I was there. Since he kicked the buffalo to get it to stand up so he could get a better photo the rangers didn't hold it against the buff though.

Hat -- I have used baseball caps in our trips to Yellowstone(usually mid fall or late spring) except for the one we took in late August. I actually bought a wide-brimed hat while we were there because the sun was so hot and wore it for most of the trip. There are hikes where there is relatively no shade available the whole time (ex: Mt. Washburn).

bearspray -- pretty well covered above. We bought it once (in the park), never felt like we needed it (and did the hikes you are talking about then). We gave it to the rangers when we left (can't take it on planes). We try to talk and make noise while we hike -- and are often just the two of us although always others along the trail. Did have a bear run up a hill away from us in Sequoia so are aware of the fact that they can be close to you and you are unawares.

Normally, there are people on the trails you mention. There will be a lot more people on the Inspiration/Hidden Falls than you can imagine. Cascade Canyon might be a little less traveled the further in you go. We didn't see any bears in GTNP, but 20 or so in Yellowstone. They do have a lot of photos of bears taken right by the boat dock for your ride across Jenny Lake, so I do suppose they can be around, even in the crowded areas. I think you are less likely to see bears in August, than in June-when we were there. I think the more people, the hotter weather drives them to higher elevations.

The hiking that we did in GTNP was fairly shaded. The walking/hiking among the geysers is pretty much wide-open with not many trees, so you are exposed to the sun. Hiking in Canyon has a variety, but it has some exposure as well. We didn't hike Mystic Falls and regret it. Maybe next time.