Grizzly bear in Glacier National Park.
Grizzly bear in Glacier National Park.

Glacier National Park, nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent”, is home to over 700 miles of trails through melting glaciers, alpine meadows, valleys, and stunning lakes. The park’s diversity of habitat types invites a wide range of animals, from large elk in the valleys to tiny insects in the glacier fed streams.

While all of this wildlife is popular for tourists, many visit with the specific goal of spotting grizzly bears out in nature. There’s an estimated 300 grizzlies living within the boundaries, with many spending all summer in the lowland meadows and aspen groves only to return into the high country for winter hibernation. They typically avoid humans when possible, but they’ll occasionally wander into popular sights to the joy of nearby tourists.

Such was the case when this grizzly sow and cub wandered through a fairly popular trailhead in Glacier National Park. The Sunrift Gorge is accessible by a simple 200 foot trail, presenting a 800-foot long, 80-foot deep gorge to those hoping for an easy view inside the park. It also acts as an alternate starting point for the Siyeh Pass Trail.

Though even just standing across the street from two grizzly bears is often considered too close, the people behind and around the camera seemed to behave pretty well given the situation. Nobody attempted to approach the bears and nobody seemed to shout out to them. Glacier National Park requires that visitors give bears and wolves at least 100 yards (300 feet) of space when possible, even if you’re inside a car or other vehicle.

Glacier National Park Grizzly 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!

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