Glacier National Park encompasses 1,600 square miles of deep forests, pristine mountains, and crystal clear lakes. Nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent” Glacier has over 700 miles of trails of variable difficulty for hikers to pick and choose.
Aside the awe inspiring landscapes, hikers in Glacier may also be privileged with the opportunity to view some of the park’s resident wildlife. While visitors may look forward to seeing the variety of mega-fauna that reside in Glacier, some species are best seen through telephoto lenses and binoculars. That would include grizzly bears.
Glacier is home to a population of approximately 300 grizzly bears. Grizzly bears will normally avoid humans when possible but encounters inside the park can happen like this one involving a group of 40 students hiking along the Avalanche Lake Trail.
“We were in Glacier National Park with roughly 40 Gifted and Talented students from my son’s school ranging in age from 7-14. We had been made aware of the bears when we were halfway to Avalanche Lake. The Ranger had been in looking for them, saw them way off the trail, and wasn’t too concerned. Within mere moments of seeing the ranger, the bears turned and came up the hill towards the children. My husband called the ranger back, and you are only seeing a small portion of what we experienced.”
Thankfully a park ranger was in area and his voice proved a sufficient deterrent for the grizzly bear to think twice about the approaching the students. The ranger did have his bear spray at the ready if the situation had escalated but verbal commands won the day. Learn more about Glacier National Park grizzly bear safety below.
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!