As we ascended up the trail via switchbacks through a sub-alpine forest, we knew we were in bear country (although there were no warnings in the guidebook or on the trailhead signs). We were clapping and singing and making plenty of noise so we would not surprise a bear.
We were just getting above treeline when I saw a lone hiker several switchbacks up from us. I mentioned to Nate that I was relieved to see a soloist because it likely meant we weren't in known bear habitat. Literally 2 seconds later the hiker yelled down to us "Watch Out For the Bear!". Of course I pannicked and forget everything you are supposed to do when you have a bear encounter and I yelled up to him "Where do we go, what do we do?!?". I think he was probably laughing at me. SO anyway, we backtracked our way out of there pretty quickly, with me all the while telling the bear that I was just a girl from Wisconsin :)
We waited for the solo hiker at the trailhead and he told us that it was a big black bear that had been peacefully eating berries right off the trail where we were. He did not seem aggressive at all, so I felt very silly having reacted the way I did, and now I wish I had some pictures! But we surely did the safe thing and did not disturb the bear :)
We were just getting above treeline when I saw a lone hiker several switchbacks up from us. I mentioned to Nate that I was relieved to see a soloist because it likely meant we weren't in known bear habitat. Literally 2 seconds later the hiker yelled down to us "Watch Out For the Bear!". Of course I pannicked and forget everything you are supposed to do when you have a bear encounter and I yelled up to him "Where do we go, what do we do?!?". I think he was probably laughing at me. SO anyway, we backtracked our way out of there pretty quickly, with me all the while telling the bear that I was just a girl from Wisconsin :)
We waited for the solo hiker at the trailhead and he told us that it was a big black bear that had been peacefully eating berries right off the trail where we were. He did not seem aggressive at all, so I felt very silly having reacted the way I did, and now I wish I had some pictures! But we surely did the safe thing and did not disturb the bear :)
As we ascended up the trail via switchbacks through a sub-alpine forest, we knew we were in bear country (although there were no warnings in the guidebook or on the trailhead signs). We were clapping and singing and making plenty of noise so we would not surprise a bear.
We were just getting above treeline when I saw a lone hiker several switchbacks up from us. I mentioned to Nate that I was relieved to see a soloist because it likely meant we weren't in known bear habitat. Literally 2 seconds later the hiker yelled down to us "Watch Out For the Bear!". Of course I pannicked and forget everything you are supposed to do when you have a bear encounter and I yelled up to him "Where do we go, what do we do?!?". I think he was probably laughing at me. SO anyway, we backtracked our way out of there pretty quickly, with me all the while telling the bear that I was just a girl from Wisconsin :)
We waited for the solo hiker at the trailhead and he told us that it was a big black bear that had been peacefully eating berries right off the trail where we were. He did not seem aggressive at all, so I felt very silly having reacted the way I did, and now I wish I had some pictures! But we surely did the safe thing and did not disturb the bear :)
We were just getting above treeline when I saw a lone hiker several switchbacks up from us. I mentioned to Nate that I was relieved to see a soloist because it likely meant we weren't in known bear habitat. Literally 2 seconds later the hiker yelled down to us "Watch Out For the Bear!". Of course I pannicked and forget everything you are supposed to do when you have a bear encounter and I yelled up to him "Where do we go, what do we do?!?". I think he was probably laughing at me. SO anyway, we backtracked our way out of there pretty quickly, with me all the while telling the bear that I was just a girl from Wisconsin :)
We waited for the solo hiker at the trailhead and he told us that it was a big black bear that had been peacefully eating berries right off the trail where we were. He did not seem aggressive at all, so I felt very silly having reacted the way I did, and now I wish I had some pictures! But we surely did the safe thing and did not disturb the bear :)
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