This is a warning to backpackers and hikers in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park about all the Bear Activity here lately and the resent attacks out west people need to be more aware of the bears and where they have been sighted .
Warning: Due to a shortage of wild foods such as berries this year, bears have been approaching visitors challenging them for food. Do not feed bears!
Use extreme caution when you see a bear - they are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you!
Backcountry campers: store all gear, including backpacks, on the food storage cables when not in use. Day hikers: never abandon food or a backpack while taking a break - a bear may steal it.
Warning: Due to a shortage of wild foods such as berries this year, bears have been approaching visitors challenging them for food. Do not feed bears!
Use extreme caution when you see a bear - they are dangerous and unpredictable. Do not approach bears or allow them to approach you!
Backcountry campers: store all gear, including backpacks, on the food storage cables when not in use. Day hikers: never abandon food or a backpack while taking a break - a bear may steal it.
Bears in the park are wild and their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution and follow these guidelines:
If you see a bear remain watchful. Do not approach it. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.)-you're too close. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.
If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting, try changing your direction. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively and try to intimidate the bear. Act together as a group if you have companions. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent such as a stout stick. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems.
Most injuries from black bear attacks are minor and result from a bear attempting to get at people's food. If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you're physically attacked, separate yourself from the food and slowly back away.
If the bear shows no interest in your food and you're physically attacked, fight back aggressively with any available object--the bear may consider you as prey! Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, keep your distance from bears
Bears in the park are wild and their behavior is sometimes unpredictable. Although extremely rare, attacks on humans have occurred, inflicting serious injuries and death. Treat bear encounters with extreme caution and follow these guidelines:
If you see a bear remain watchful. Do not approach it. If your presence causes the bear to change its behavior (stops feeding, changes its travel direction, watches you, etc.)-you're too close. Being too close may promote aggressive behavior from the bear such as running toward you, making loud noises, or swatting the ground. The bear is demanding more space. Don't run, but slowly back away, watching the bear. Try to increase the distance between you and the bear. The bear will probably do the same.
If a bear persistently follows or approaches you, without vocalizing, or paw swatting, try changing your direction. If the bear continues to follow you, stand your ground. If the bear gets closer, talk loudly or shout at it. Act aggressively and try to intimidate the bear. Act together as a group if you have companions. Make yourselves look as large as possible (for example, move to higher ground). Throw non-food objects such as rocks at the bear. Use a deterrent such as a stout stick. Don't run and don't turn away from the bear. Don't leave food for the bear; this encourages further problems.
Most injuries from black bear attacks are minor and result from a bear attempting to get at people's food. If the bear's behavior indicates that it is after your food and you're physically attacked, separate yourself from the food and slowly back away.
If the bear shows no interest in your food and you're physically attacked, fight back aggressively with any available object--the bear may consider you as prey! Help protect others, report all bear incidents to a park ranger immediately. Above all, keep your distance from bears!
Below is the current list of trails, campsites and shelters with posted warnings. Further down is the list of bear closures:
• Alum Cave Trail
• Clingmans Dome Trail
• Trillium Gap Trail - Grotto Falls parking area to Grotto Falls
• Laurel Falls Trail
• Little River Trail
• Pretty Hollow Gap Trail
• Rainbow Falls Trail
• Upper Forney Ridge Trail
• Double Spring Gap Shelter
• Laurel Gap Shelter
• Mount Collins Shelter
• Mount Le Conte Shelter
• Spence Field Shelter
Bear Closures:
• Backcountry Campsites 21, 24, 35, 68
• Cosby Knob Shelter
• Silers Bald Shelter
• Backcountry Campsites 18, 28, 36, 37, 38, 61, 85
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