Grizzly Bear Catches Biker Off Guard @ Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park‘s Going-to-the-Sun Road is easily among the most scenic roads in the United States, taking drivers to a high point of 6,646 feet over a full 50 miles through the “Crown of the Continent”. The speed limit is 40 mph on the lower elevations 25 mph on the alpine section, so it takes just about 2 hours to drive the entire route. Visitors can pass the time by viewing the park’s namesake glaciers and bountiful wildlife.

Grizzly bears spend most of their time in meadows but they’ll move around in search of food. On Going-to-the-Sun Road they’re most often seen near Two Dog Flats on the east side. With around 300 grizzlies living in the park witnessing one during a visit is hardly a guarantee, yet people manage to spot them quite frequently during Glacier National Park’s busiest months.

Grizzlies generally do their best to avoid people, but human development of land in their habitat has led to an increase in interactions. This biker on Going-to-the-Sun Road was unaware of the approaching grizzly yearling heading towards the road from below. She began to pedal quite a bit harder to get away once she spotted the animal. Fortunately nobody attempted to get close to the bear and it eventually moved away after hanging around for a sort time.

The best way to stay safe in grizzly country is to avoid an encounter all together. Hike or bike in groups and make noise at regular intervals, calling out or clapping to make your presence known. Trail running in Glacier National Park is strongly discouraged as it could surprise a bear. The most effective deterrent for grizzly bears is bear spray, so make sure you always have it on you and you know how to use it. Read more about bear safety below:

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!

For more detailed information, watch our Bear Safety video.

• Categories:  
• Montana
• National ParksWildlife