With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier National Park is truly a paradise for adventurous hikers looking to connect with the land by exploring its dramatic carved valleys and spectacular lakes on foot.
Hiking in Glacier National Park is an incredible experience but all visitors must be forewarned that they assume individual responsibility for their safety when entering the backcountry and that includes knowing what to do if they encounter one of the estimated 300 grizzly bears that inhabit the park. Glacier advises all hikers carry bear spray and to take steps to reduce the likelihood of negative grizzly bear encounters.
Despite meticulous precautions taken by hikers, close encounters with grizzly bears can and often do occur on the trails of Glacier National Park like this one captured by James Borer who came across a female grizzly pursuing a mountain goat while hiking the Grinnell Glacier Trail. Borer immediately drew his bear spray and kept it trained on the grizzly as it approached his position. As the bear changed directions, Borer gained confidence and actually walked towards the apex predator which is not recommended.
Shortly after the initial encounter Borer was joined by a group of hikers that included children. As they stood on the trail, bear spray in hand, what was already a precarious situation became much more dangerous as the group realized there were two cubs in the vicinity and they were standing directly between the mother and her offspring.
Thankfully this tense situation ended peacefully and all parties came away with an incredible story to tell when they returned to the trailhead. This encounter underlines the importance of familiarizing yourself with grizzly bear safety protocols before setting out for a hike inside Glacier National Park. 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!