Trail closures and new restrictions due to the concentration of bears

We always look forward to the fall. That’s the time the bears are in hyperphagia and are relatively easy to photograph. Last year they fed on hawthorn and choke cherries and as the berry trees and bushes are along the Moose-Wilson road the road and associated trials, are alive with bears. (mostly black).

This year major changes have taken place. The road was repaved and the spots where you could pull over are closed, (most of them). No standing or stopping is allowed, and you are not allowed to walk along the road, (although biking is still permitted, (and we see pedal and electric bikers), there is no way we are stupid enough to ride our bikes along the road). In addition, our favorite hiking trail is closed.

Some of our other trails have seen idiots carrying in coolers and packs which they have left untended. and the bears have gotten food rewards. A fed bear is a dead bear! With warning signs on many of the trails reminding people to carry bear spray, we often see families hiking without it, (most of the people we meet do not have bear spray).

The final problem is that the heavy rains have resulted in the heaviest berry crop we have ever seen. It has also resulted in the tallest grasses, flowers and plants and in many places their height can completely hide a walking bear. Taking a good picture of a bear un the heavy brush is nearly impossible. Since our last post we have spent three days in the park. The first of the three resulted in us not seeing any bears, (but lots of other wildlife), in the second we did spot a large black bear but it ran across the road so fast that we could not stop the car in time before it disappeared into the forest. The third trip was the most successful but that’s going to be the next post. We did take a short hike on atrailwe have never trod. No bears but Renita, (who I refer to as our pioneer woman), did spot one probable partial bear track).

We understand Grand Teton Natonal Parks new rules and closures. Unlike my other posts I am not posting the pictures in sequential order. Finally, always carry bear spray and keep your food with you. Clear skies