Established in 1910, Glacier National Park encompasses 1,600 square miles of pristine mountains, crystal clear lakes and deep forests. Known as the “Crown of the Continent” Glacier is paradise for hikers who can pick and choose from its over 700 miles of trails.
Beyond the breathtaking landscapes, hikers in Glacier may also be privileged with the opportunity to view some of the park’s resident wildlife. While tourists may look forward to laying eyes on a variety of mega-fauna that live in Glacier, some species are best seen through binocular lenses.
Glacier is home to a healthy population of grizzly bears, recent estimates place their number at approximately 300 individuals. Grizzly bears will normally avoid humans when possible but encounters inside the park can happen like this one along the Highline Trail:
While these hikers did manage to squeeze past this grizzly perched above the trail, they broke park policy while doing so. Glacier National Park prohibits “intentionally approaching, viewing, or engaging in any activity within 100 yards of bears.” Instead of pushing past this grizzly, the hikers should have stayed back and waited for it to move or turned around and gone the other way. Thankfully their encroachment into it’s personal space did not provoke the bear but it very easily could have escalated into a negative encounter.
Glacier National Park Bear Encounter Safety Guidelines:
If you encounter a bear inside the minimum recommended safe distance (100 yards; 91 m), you can decrease your risk by following these guidelines:
- If a bear or other animal is moving in your direction on a trail, get out of its way and let it pass.
- If you can move away, do so. If moving away appears to agitate the bear, stop. In general, bears show agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their teeth. Lowered head and laid-back ears also indicate aggression. Bears may stand on their hind legs or approach to get a better view, but these actions are not necessarily signs of aggression. The bear may not have identified you as a person and may be unable to smell or hear you from a distance. Help the bear recognize you as a friendly human.
- Talk quietly.
- Do not run! Back away slowly. Stop if it seems to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral vision. Bears may interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Continue to move away as the situation allows.
- If a bear appears intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive manner (not showing signs of agitation), gather your group together, make noise, and try to discourage the bear from further approaching. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If you are preparing or consuming food, secure it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive manner (appears agitated and/or charges), stop. Do not run. Talk quietly to the bear. Prepare to deploy your bear spray. If contact appears imminent and you do not have bear spray, protect your chest and abdomen by falling to the ground on your stomach, clasp your hands around the back of your neck, and leave your pack on for protection. If the bear attempts to roll you over, try to stay on your stomach. If the attack is defensive, the bear will leave once it recognizes you are not a threat. If the attack is prolonged, FIGHT BACK!