Alaska’s Denali National Park is an incredibly rugged tract of six million acres of wild land bisected by a single road. The Denali Park Road parallels the Alaska Range and travels through low valleys and high mountain passes. Along the way there are numerous pull-outs for visitors to stop and snap scenic photos but its important to stay in areas with good visibility in case one of Denali’s approximately 300–350 grizzlies happen to be lurking around.
Denali recognizes that viewing wildlife sits at the top of many visitors’ wish lists and wants tourists to know that while seeing a grizzly is can be memorable moment, it does not come without its risks.
“Bears are magnificent animals, capable of moments of ferocity as well as playfulness. This dichotomy of behavior often leads people to view bears as dangerous beasts or silly buffoons. The truth is they are both and everything in between.” -Denali National Park
These Denali National Park tourists were apparently advised not to hike in the riverbed as it was known to be active with grizzly but they decided to risk it and ended up getting chased by a 600 pound bear and two big cubs. A park ranger can be heard yelling across the river that the group needed to keep it moving, at the end of the video you will know why:
Let this be a lesson to anyone who thinks that disregarding warning from rangers in our National Parks goes without consequences. If a park ranger issues a command, you do what your told. These folks are lucky they didn’t up as dinner.
Denali National Park Guidelines For Preventing Negative Encounters With Bears:
What can you do to reduce the chances of a dangerous situation? Knowledge is the key to prevention and is the most important tool to take with you in bear country. Two of the best ways to avoid conflicts are to prevent surprise encounters and to ensure your food and trash are always stored properly.
Preventing Surprise Encounters
When bears feel threatened, they will either fight or flee. Most of the time they flee, but bears may also respond to a threat by charging or attacking. This most commonly occurs when people encounter female bears with cubs or bears protecting a food source (e.g., a carcass). To reduce the chances of a surprise encounter:
- Make your presence known – Hike in groups and make noise to avoid surprising bears.
- Move in the open and avoid areas with poor visibility when possible. In areas of poor visibility, make noise more frequently.
- Traveling along rivers or other noisy areas makes it difficult for bears to hear you. Be extra loud in noisy areas.
- Pay attention to signs of bear activity (tracks, scat, dug up areas, etc.).
- Watch for carcasses – Look for bird activity to alert you of a carcass that a bear may be feeding on. If you see or smell a carcass, leave the area.
- Don’t wear headphones or earbuds when hiking, jogging, or biking.
- Biking and jogging increase your speed and the likelihood of surprising a bear. Read more about cycling safety.
- Stay at least 300 yards away from all bears (the length of three football fields).
- Ask about recent bear activity at the visitor center or Backcountry Information Center.
- Pay attention to trailhead signs that may provide information about recent bear activity.
