A number of Glacier Nationwide Park Trails Closed Following Hikers’ Bear Encounter — What to Know

A number of mountaineering trails at Glacier Nationwide Park have been closed following a gaggle’s latest encounter with a bear.

Based on a launch shared the Nationwide Parks Service, a 35-year-old male was bitten beneath the knee by a bear who was startled and stunned by the mountaineering group, who have been traversing Grinnell Overlook. In an effort to discourage the bear, the mountaineering celebration deployed bear spray which was efficient in transferring the bear away from the group.

Park officers mentioned that the mountaineering celebration encountered foggy situations, which possible triggered low visibility in seeing the bear, and that the celebration had all the appropriate emergency and security tools similar to a primary support package and emergency communications. 

In response to the incident, park rangers have taken the added step of closing a number of mountaineering trails to maintain friends secure till the bear’s whereabouts and decide that the mountaineering paths stay secure. 

The Backyard Wall, Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Highline Hill, Highline Path, and Sperry Glacier, Sperry Chalet are presently closed as a consequence of bear exercise.

The park has additionally notified guests of 16 places that are on discover for bears frequenting, together with Boulder Lake, Cracker Lake, Granite Park, Siyeh Move, and extra. 

Guests to Glacier can go to the Path Standing Experiences for the newest replace, and knowledge on whether or not the paths have reopened. 

“Guests are reminded that the autumn season is when bears usually tend to be lively as a consequence of hyperphagia,” the Nationwide Parks service shared within the launch. “As bears put together for the lengthy season of winter, throughout which they are going to hibernate, they should eat as a lot as they’ll to arrange to go months with out meals.”

The Nationwide Park Service frequently advises mountaineering and out of doors fanatics to be on alert whereas visiting the parks.