Close Encounter

Well, we had our first close encounter today with a Grizzly Bear. Three of us, Mary, myself and a friend named Juanita took a hike to check mail and go to the park visitor's center. The trail goes through a campground and down by a creek and under the railroad trestle. Just as we rounded a bend under the trestle there (right in front of us) is a huge bear walking on the trail...it was about 30-40 feet away and lumbering right toward us.

I can tell you - all three of us were in shock...trying to remember NOT to run...make some noise...and back away. We sort of did those things...but we didn't waste any time getting away from the trail (no time for pictures!). We scrambled through the brush, along a social trail and up a bank and found ourselves on the railroad tracks. After a sigh of relief that we had put some space between us and the bear, we looked down the tracks and there it was about 100 feet away and heading right for us. That got us moving again, but after a short distance it turned and went into the woods.

By this time we were right by the train depot so we felt a bit more safe. There had been warnings about a bear in the area the last week or so, but we never thought we would be close enough to be concerned. For all of our other bear sightings we were safe and sound in a bus...it is very different when there is nothing between you and the creature. Just a reminder that we are living very close to the wilderness and, of course, that is why we came in the first place.

From Mary: It was an exciting encounter to say the least, what Ron omitted to say was MY
first reaction was to do circles like a cork screw in the same spot before my brain registered that what i needed to do was just back away... when really all i wanted to do was turn my back to the bear and run!

In the few seconds i had before putting any distance between us i was able to take in just what a magnificent creature this was........ no sign of aggression, but very large, at least 300 pounds, light blond thick coat, huge paws......... my camera was very accessible and how i wish i had had the courage to remain still and just get a photograph.