Travel Tips for Grizzly Country

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Tip 3: Travel in Groups

Solo hikers and pairs of hikers are at greater risk in grizzly country. Bears rarely injure people in groups of four or more. There has never been injury to a group of six or more. There has never been a fatality in a group of four or more. This safety record stems from three factors. Big groups of people tend to make more noise than smaller groups. Thus, big groups are more likely to alert bears of their presence or drive grizzlies away. Large groups of people are more visible to bears. Grizzlies have a greater chance of seeing (or scenting) you in the distance and then moving away. Last, during an uncomfortably close encounter with people, grizzlies are less likely to conclude a rush or charge at a group of people than an individual or a pair of people.

Tip 4: Don't Make Assumptions about Hiking Routes

Many trails in grizzly country are unsafe by design. They were constructed decades ago without any consideration for your safety or the welfare of bears. They lead you through berry patches and other food sources for grizzlies. They meander through thick brush beside noisy streams. They follow along the edge of meadows and other natural travel routes for bears. They put you on a collision course with grizzlies. To make matters worse, trails allow people to hike at a fast pace. It's difficult to watch for bears (or other wildlife) while you're marching along at a steady four miles an hour. Walking on trails allows your mind to wander when you should be paying attention.

Even in heavily used backcountry areas, it's not safe to assume that trails belong to people and the bears belong somewhere else. Give grizzlies the right-of-way on trails on natural travel routes like beaches. Some people have blind faith in the idea that grizzlies will automatically run the other way if they hear you coming. That's not always true. In addition, some bear literature gives the impression that grizzlies understand that trails are for humans during the day. Sorry, that's not true either. Grizzlies might habituate to people on trials or avoid trails, but they do not have any respect for proprietary rights you might feel for human trails.