Bear Essentials, Part 1

With temps in Phoenix still in the high 90s, Josh was caught a little off-guard at the thought of winter. Still, he was undeterred for his Fall Break adventure in Yellowstone National Park. After all, he had the camping essentials down to a science: hammock, pack, new Wind Stopper and Icebreaker layers....

The bear essentials were a different story, but Josh was a quick learner. His first lesson: Never come between a bear and its food.

Josh had planned to spend six days hiking the 60+ mile Heart Lake loop, but when he found the road to the trailhead closed, he had to make other plans. Instead he went into the park to a short day hike. He would hike alone, but others were on the trail and at the parking lot. Soon someone asked if he was going to the lake.

Josh said yes, and the man asked if he could join him. He was a photographer staying in the park for a month. He had been on the trail before and wanted to get pictures of a bear he knew was there. "There's a carcass beside the lake. Does that bother you?" he asked.

Josh didn't know why it should. The man told him a grizzly had been beside it and he hoped to get some pictures. Together the two started the trail. They passed some other hikers. They hadn't seen anything.

As they came over the ridge to see the lake, the man talked about what they would do if they saw the bear. The lake came into view. Josh saw the carcass - probably an elk - no more than 100 yards away. On the other side of the lake some men were fishing.

Suddenly, Josh saw movement in the tree line. A grizzly was running top sped toward the carcass. Josh backed up slowly, reaching for his bear spray. The bear reached the carcass and for a moment Josh thought it would stop. Instead, it made a quick turn toward Josh and his new friend.

Josh was more than a little scared, but also in awe as the bear stood on its hind legs. "Are you seeing this! Are you getting pictures?" Josh yelled. But he was only talking to the bear. When he looked back, the photographer was gone - heading back to the car.

The bear grunted as Josh slowly backed away, then turned and went back to its meal.