Yosemite critters

[kraykepler]

This is one of the bears I encountered while in the back country on the John Muir Trail, which has it's northern terminus in Yosemite. I was out trying to learn to fly fish when he came up behind me. I was startled as he's a rather large bear, but was more worried that my girlfriend (now wife) would see him and freak out!
We've got a couple of kids now, so hiking will have to wait a while.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

What did you all do to get away from the bear? Some folks claim that you should wear a bell when in bear country, but I would think that would tell the bear where you were located and he could more easily zero in on you. Thanks for posting these pictures and telling us about the bear. Kelley (Texas)

 

[ojm bc]

n/t

 

[ojm bc]

fred I have noticed a few hikers up here, when trout fishing had bells attached to their boots, not sure how well works..the other day we had 2 black bears fight to the death , guess re a mate.
the bears are really crazy acting this year

 

[Roscue2]

Kelley, the only bears in Cali are black bears. Grizzlies haven't been in Cali in a long, long time. As for the bell, it only tells the bear that some thing is approaching them. Once they hear something approaching, they will generally run off. You do not want to startle a bear. Another, perhaps less annoying to the hiker, method of warning bears of your presence is to just talk loudly. Heck, sing if you want to.

 

[Roscue2]

Same here ojm. No one in my family seems to enjoy the idea of the great outdoors to the same level as myself.

 

[Kelley (Texas)]

n/t

 

[kraykepler]

I'm sure you've heard the joke about the difference between grizzly bear scat and black bear scat.
(The griz scat has bells in it!)

Lots of hikers just carry pepper spray. The bears just keep to themselves (unless you leave food out, which I've done.)