As the “Crown of the Continent“, Glacier National Park acts as a stunning escape into nature. 1,600 square miles of incredible mountain views, gorgeous mountain lakes, and deep forests are spread throughout the park, with 700 miles of trails leading hikers from point to point.
Hikers in Glacier are often gifted with sights of the park’s resident wildlife, with sheep, elk, goats, pikas, mountain lions, and bears living throughout. No wild animal should ever be approached by a regular person, but some animals should be given a bit more space than others.
Around 300 grizzly bears reside in Glacier, typically avoiding areas known for human activity. But encounters do happen occasionally leaving hikers in precarious situations like this one:
Grizzly bears in Glacier National Park should be given at least 100 yards (300 feet) of space, but if a bear (or any animal) is moving towards you within that distance on a trail you should get out of its way and let it pass, like these people were doing. Glacier National Park recommends moving away if possible, but stopping if that appears to agitate the animal. If a bear appears to be directly approaching you, you should group up with others, make noise, and prepare to deploy bear spray.
Glacier National Park Bear Encounter 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!