Grizzly Bear Encounter on Siyeh Pass Trail in Glacier National Park

Grizzly Bear Encounter on Siyeh Pass Trail in Glacier National Park.
Hiked September 18.
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[@Alaska_Gal]

I’m an Alaskan who lives and hikes in bear country. A grizzly doesn’t have to see or hear you. They can smell you up to 20 miles away. Their sense of smell is insane.

[@CastleMc]

yet somehow people surprise grizzlies quite often

[@Alaska_Gal]

@@CastleMcthat is why it’s also important to make noise when hiking in bear country. If solo, talk, sing and clap your hands. But if you’re in a dense area with a lot of brush/anything blocking a field of vision, a bear can still smell you but you may surprise them once they get sight of you. Hence…that’s why it’s important to make noise. I was hiking with my son one day and we stumbled upon a bear with its head down, eating grass. The grass was very tall. My son saw it first. The bear slowly lifted its head…it didn’t look at us, but you could tell it could smell us and was curious. We stood our ground and it just went back to eating.

[@SouthernMinnesotaOutdoors]

Even upwind of you?

[@Alaska_Gal]

@@SouthernMinnesotaOutdoors if there is a bear upwind of you, there might be another bear that isn’t…I’m never complacent when I hike and am ALWAYS of the mindset that I WILL encounter a bear. Especially with amount we have here in Alaska. I’ve hiked in an area with the most concentrated brown bear population, 1 bear per square mile.

[@AmericasParks]

Really appreciate the knowledgable feedback!

[@jerrystraka7856]

35 years hiking climbing Glacier Park over 6000 trail miles over 100 peak summits dozens of back country camping trips dozens upon dozens of grizzly encounters. never a charge. never a bluff charge. this is a normal grizzly encounter. you handled it perfectly.....

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate the insights and affirmation, Jerry! And your Glacier resume is indeed impressive!

[@Jackietreehorn-z5e]

Just got back from Glacier. I'd never hike alone there. Props to you.

[@jaredmathews2983]

A few years back, I saw a grizzly with two cubs midday, right in the parking area and at the trailhead of a very popular and crowded trail of the eastern section of Glacier NP. Ranger told me that the mother bears intentionally bring their cubs near people as a protection strategy for their cubs, because the male bears frequently try to kill the cubs. Supposedly the male bears detest being around people. I kind of feel their pain.

[@lindseyyang8682]

We ran into that mama bear and her two cubs last year on the same trail. They were so little! Glad to see they’re still there.

[@AmericasParks]

Fascinating! Glad to hear you had a safe encounter as well. Think they must be used to people - no aggressiveness.

[@henryrodgers1752]

Yep, they are coming into their last winter with her, which explains why she is not overly concerned.

[@radiodonut]

Terrific videos. Thanks!

[@AmericasParks]

Much appreciated!

[@jymnmeier3527]

It's just beautiful! I'm so glad you navigated the grizzly encounter with wisdom. This video shows the decision many of us have: whether to turn around or press on, be it due to wildlife concerns, the difficulty of the trail, or weather issues. Knowing your skill set and trusting your self always serves you well. Thanks for sharing and much love asalways

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate that, Jymn. A little challenging on this one, but felt entirely at peace to keep moving forward. Glad I did!

[@juliesmith444]

Such amazing footage! It looks like an intense hike with that wind. So thankful the bears were calm and you did your research on what to do.

[@johnswanson3741]

Sunglasses on a cloudy day? That's how you roll?

[@tomthatcher7757]

Thanks for taking me to a National Park that I haven't visited. Beautiful 😍.

[@robertwaid3579]

That was an Excellent Video of Your Hike. Thank You for sharing that which I No longer have the simple opportunity to do. May God Bless You.

[@NickandRachel]

Glacier is beautiful! Glad you had a good experience with the bear encounter!

[@TravelSmallLiveBig]

Wow Randy! That was an insane hike. And thanks for the bear reminder things - I don’t think I knew the peripheral vision thing. You impress me! Hope all is well with everyone!

[@AmericasParks]

Really appreciate that Heather!

[@gracieval43]

Wow such a beautiful view, thank you for sharing such a great video, greeting from California

[@scarbelly521]

Great video brother! Haven't seen you in maybe 34 years. Hope to someday attend one of your services. In the meantime, I will catch you here. God Bless!

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

Amazing! Even that bear -- frightening as it surely must have been -- was beautiful!

[@ccchhhrrriiisss100]

*those bears....were beautiful

[@danieldonegan6914]

Great video! I did that hike about four years ago. No bears, but my feet were killing me after the assent.

[@AmericasParks]

Glad you were able to enjoy this gem!

[@birdman5223]

Wonderful, wild place MrRandy😱

[@paulwilson3434]

Great video. I’m so glad mama didn’t come after you . I learned how to ID grizzlies. Hump , rounded ears thank you

[@robd4258]

I’ve watched a ton of your videos, I’m so glad you finally caught Glacier with very good weather. I remember from previously you tried a few times in the past and caught bad weather. I’m curious what you would rank Glacier now as National Parks go. If you haven’t already been try to going to Waterton National Park on Canadian side.

[@AmericasParks]

Definitely in the top 10. With the right weather conditions among those in the lower 48, I could easily put Glacier in the top 5.

[@konniestacks1983]

Amazing video u handled it so well Very impressed

[@AmericasParks]

Much appreciated!

[@potatothorn]

what a beautiful hike!! we did siyeh to piegan pass then down to jackson glacier, a very short extra bit. similar but shorter. great job getting by the bears even if you didnt do it all perfectly/ awesome video thanks for sharing

[@AmericasParks]

Thanks, Thorn. Glad I came into the situation mostly prepared. Learned even more from this encounter.

[@nancyweaver4042]

Glacier has been on my Natl Park bucket list for a long time, and I finally got there in 2019. it will always be my favorite park and far surpasses RMNP and other western parks for it's sheer monoliths and beauty. The park is hard to even put into words.

[@Jackietreehorn-z5e]

Just got back...incredible scenery. Breathtaking

[@armandojuarez8387]

Randy hacía falta un encuentro con la fauna! Le pone más emoción al paseo, saludos y Dios te bendiga!!!

[@jesshughes776]

OK, MAN. I HIT THE SUBSCRIBE BUTTON. ALREADY SUBSCRIBED. BUT I WAS A LITTLE OVER ENTHUSED AND BROKE MY COMPUTER.

[@scenicsteps75]

Breathtaking ❤it makes me visit again . Be safe kudos …

[@csd1812]

Great video of the hiking and the bear encounter. We were at GNP for the first time about two years ago. We did three popular trails, including the Highline trails, without bear spray, which is a no-no. We will probably go back to do other trails in the future. GNP, along with YNP and GT, are my favorite National parks.

[@AmericasParks]

You have good taste in the National Parks, my friend!

[@cricketcorner8950]

Just found your channel. Thank you for a very calm walk through of how you managed the bear encounter. I think you handled it great, from what I’ve read about how to behave, and I appreciate that you noted it was a mistake to look at them directly. I’ve done a lot of nature photography with a DSLR, and one thing I’ve learned is that animals sometimes perceive the lens as a huge eye staring at them. I’m not sure how they perceive a phone. So those who have a DSLR might wish to take that into account with the “don’t look directly at them” advice. I once got charged by a male silverback gorilla when I pulled out a DSLR and pointed it at him. Fortunately, I was at a zoo, and there was a barrier between us. Still scared the heck outta me, though, and taught me a valuable lesson.

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate you sharing your experience and expertise. Have a super weekend and stay safe out there!

[@joedyer1785]

Thanks

[@jasonmountain4643]

I’ve scrambled to the top of mt siyeh. There were two grizzlies near the summit when I went. Quite thrilling. The views are amazing.

[@robbhays8077]

Wow. What a fantastic bear encounter. You definitely stayed longer than you should have. But that is some great footage.

[@AmericasParks]

Totally agree... looking back, regardless of their nonaggressive posture, I should have left sooner.

[@spelunkerd]

Over the decades I've had about a dozen face to face encounters with bears deep in the back country, with two close encounters with momma and cubs. Each was very similar to the experience described here, once with the cubs climbing a bystander tree. Like here, body language told me that I wouldn't need the bear spray on my hip. I'd much rather risk a bear encounter compared to meeting a weird stranger with a gun. Siyeh pass is one of my favorite hikes in Glacier, and the shuttle in summer months is reliable enough to not need a second vehicle.

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate hearing about your experience! Few places compare with the beauty of GNP!

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Amazing video. Thanks for sharing. Like 👍

[@AmericasParks]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@WasThatWong]

I was there a month ago, on the East side of the park. Road to the Sun was closed. Want to see/try the west side.

[@blyt5046]

I have watched many many bear encounters most of them were pretty deadly. I’m hoping you have something on you as they seem to be unpredictable. I think you know a little bit more about what you’re doing when it comes to them than the average person. Like them smelling you downwind that sort of thing. But this is a great video and thanks for uploading.

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate the kind and concerning words. Beyond the bear spray, the only other thing I could have had for safety is a firearm.

[@matthewcauthorn9731]

It all sounds good until the Bear decides not to follow the rules.

[@Colby168]

Bear spray with wind is no bueno. Glad you didn’t have to try.

[@MoutainGuyAdventures]

Cool video. I’ll be there in July. I spent 8 days there last year. One of my favorite parks. Grizzlies always appear when you don’t expect it. I had 20 bear encounters last year. A bit scary. I agree. I always try to hike in groups when possible and on well traveled trails. How many people were on that trail? I might have to consider it this summer. Good vid as always. 👍👍

[@AmericasParks]

Much appreciated! Due to the weather and lateness in the season, this trail was not very populated. Such a contrast from Grinnell and Highline trails that I did a couple days earlier.

[@MoutainGuyAdventures]

@@AmericasParks Yeah. Grinnell is busy as is Iceberg. 👍👍👍

[@jimgreen5788]

Randy, thanks for another winner. Was there any time during this hike that you'd wished you'd worn long pants, and/or gloves? I think I would have.

[@AmericasParks]

Weird thing is my legs and hands rarely get cold. And so much more comfortable to hike in shorts. :)

[@Dave-qj1yg]

Wouldnt the bears have you gotten your scent long before you saw them? In that sense you didnt surprise them and they weren't alarmed

[@AmericasParks]

Yes, I would have thought that as well, but they seemed so completely unconcerned with my presence it was mindboggling. Perhaps the food they were eating was more of a priority than me as a potential threat.

[@timthompson8297]

It’s windy and it depends on whether he was upwind of them.

[@donaldhughes6146]

Would you happen to have a link to the bear spray holster that you used that was attached to your backpack strap?

[@AmericasParks]

Sorry, was loaned the holster from the campground host where I stayed. Never really paid attention.

[@sramabadran]

I'm coming to Glacier in 2 weeks! Really excited. When was this video taken ? Is the GTTS Road already open ?

[@geneclark6413]

No it's not currently open. We have been getting snow here.

[@AmericasParks]

Hope you had a super time! I was there on September 19.

[@Funtimeshappy099]

Glad to see you safe. You've got these western parks down for sure. Hopefully you can work remaining eastern historic sites, PR, Alaska, and Hawaii. Is the final goal American Samoa?

[@AmericasParks]

Yes, have Alaska and Hawaii in the sights! :) Hopefully one of these days!

[@nickel0eye]

taking it the other way is better ... works you, but, is incredible...

[@jak488]

Overcast and windy counts as good weather in Glacier! lol. Grizzlies are surprisingly smart. They know to expect humans when they're in these popular trail areas. Bear sightings are common but actual attacks are rare in this area. Go further into the backcountry if you want to get charged by a grizz :)

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate the insights! Yeah, have to believe they heard/smelled me coming. They seemed to perceive me as a 0% threat.

[@Gigaamped]

I’d love to get Bill Burr’s commentary on this 😂 look up “bill burr on hiking”

[@AmericasParks]

😂

[@frisk151]

Word of advice... Take that safety tab and at least slide it out 1/2 way... I remove it all togther until done carrying it... Good placement of the spray depending on dominant hand... Another word of advice.. Carry a pistol and know how to use it ahead of time. As you brought up... Bear spray is worthless if a sow with cubs is coming for you., especially in windy conditions.. You don't usually get to pick being upwind! . They'll run right through it and hit you before it even has a chance to take affect.. Bear spray is great for nuisance or curious bears. I never go into brown bear territory without either my G20 10mm strapped to my chest by way of an Alaskan Rig, or G27 .40 at the minimum when hiking is low population areas that are wider open... What happened to you is the exception, not the rule when you come upon cubsl... Momma bears generally maul if that close before thinking about it.. Glad you were okay!

[@AmericasParks]

Appreciate the words of advice for those perusing the comments. After this experience, I believe my preparations would align with your remarks if I ever return. Enjoy your weekend!

[@stevescheinblum6895]

Best to hike with people. People who are slower, and have more meat on the bone.

[@GrnXnham]

When you encountered those bears you forgot that you are supposed to go up to them and poke 'em with a stick. If they still ignore you, then you know it will okay.

[@helopicture]

Good thing you didn't need the spray in that wind...

[@AmericasParks]

Right on... huge mistake many hikers make!

[@elizabethpreviti598]

Hello Pastor Great video. If you have never watched him, check out Stan Mills a Yellowstone KZbinr who tracks lots of Grizzlies His calm approach is inspiring. A good Christian man as well. Keep up the good work! Mike and Jane Previti

[@AmericasParks]

Thank you, dear friends! God bless!

[@timthompson8297]

That looks too close for me.

[@cynthiawoods883]

If she didn’t see you maybe you could have just backed away! Rather than announce your presence!

[@Max-kn9yi]

Test

[@user-uh2hg2gm3l]

GLACIER & YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARKS 🏞️ are my two favorites!! At Glacier we had a great and fun guide who made wild yelling noises to scare away the bears 🐻!!! 😃👍