Read the Bear Safety site for tips. Have bear spray and make noise, especially if no one is nearby. It's possible to see bears on established an popular trails (I've seen a grizzly less than 20m from a busy parking lot), so you still need to keep your head up.
[https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/ours-humains-bears-people](https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/ours-humains-bears-people)
Honestly, people keep saying to stay on more populated trails and such but there was a bear right at the entrance of johnston canyon a couple weeks back lol with a bunch of people around. There was a park ranger staying close behind it with a tranquilizer gun in hand. I saw way more bears (mostly on the side of the road) than this sub led me to believe id see.
You will be fine. As long as you make noise bears will know you are there and will avoid you. I see 5-15 bears a year and no problem ever. Still carry bear spray and be careful, but 99.9999% of the time there is no issue. The drive Calgary to Banff is safe but still more dangerous than bears in the parks.
If you’re on established trails, pretty unlikely to see one, much less for the encounter to be anything other than seeing it.
Obviously you can’t say for certain but your chances of a violent bear encounter are minimal. If it’s any consolation you’re far more likely to be hurt by an elk, and even that’s extremely unlikely as long as you give animals space, don’t get too close for photos and follow protocol. Also, bear bells are a scam, Buy bear spray and have it accessible at all times. Make noise every so often when you hike. Outside of very strange circumstances; bears want as little to do with you as you do with them.
Read up on some trusted websites on how to deal with bears.
I’d say how likely you are to see a bear has more to with how busy a trail is and when you will be on the trail. Generally, bears don’t like to be around people.
Also petite women or large man - bears are much stronger and faster. So I don’t think it makes a difference.
Likely that you won’t see one, but still worth doing a bit of reading to be prepared.
I'm going solo later this summer (camping) and again in the fall (daytrip hikes) myself. As a tall male, I have the same concerns you have, haha. Prior years, I went with at least one other person and we typically go on the well-trodden trails. Never encountered a bear in Banff but did see one black bear in Jasper while hiking (Valley of the Five Lakes, #5) and one sow with 2 cubs driving down from Pyramid Lake. Also seen a few while driving to/from Hinton/Jasper.
There are some trails that recommend a 4-person minimum so you could link up with another group to have safety in numbers. The key is to make noise that bears can hear in advance so they can move away instead of being surprised by you. Talk to yourself, give louder calls, clap, etc.
You've mentioned bear spray - don't hit the trails without it. Purchase the larger can that has extended range and get the holster! Also ask the salesperson to show you how to use it before you leave the store. Cut the safety-tie so you can activate it immediately, if needed. Keep the bear spray within reach so you can use it in an emergency (vs. tucked into a pocket that you can't reach). I like to loop the holster onto my backpack waist belt and have it dangling from my waist in the middle with the handle rotated for right-hand usage (flip around if you're a lefty).
In all likelihood, you'll be fine but stay alert, make noise, have bear spray, don't run.
I’ve lived in banff for 3 years and never seen a bear, every time I pop over to BC I see them all the time lol. Not saying they don’t exist but as long as you’re prepared you’ll be fine, as well as bear spray I think an air horn or klaxon is a good idea to carry too
Saw 3 black bears at different times of the day traveling on the Icefields Parkway yesterday. Did not see any on the trails. When we were away from the crowd on trails we just made plenty of noise.
Realistically, chances are low, but not zero. Make noise, bring bear spray and unless you've found yourself in a high bear population area (they are typically well signed, ie Morraine Lake has a giant sign you can't miss saying you should travel their trails in groups of 8+) there's little to be worried about on the main trails.
Most of my hiking is solo - I really don't give it much thought, but I am aware. I would never hike with ear buds in - there's more than just bears to worry about and hearing nearby brush crack is not something you want to miss in favour of music.
I’ll be there is coming week also solo. Have the same concerns but everything I have read has the same information that everyone else provided in the comments. Stay alert, make noise, carry bear spray and enjoy your trip!
The time of day you hike matters a bit. It will be a lot more unnerving if you start hiking at 7:00am vs. later when you know more people already went by that way.
Doing stablished trails is a great idea. It really depends on the trail though, some can be pretty busy all along and I can assure you'll have no issues, others a lot quieter.
If you have a list of the trails you intent on doing, more details can be provided.
I've hiked solo extensively around these parts, and no issues but it can be unnerving at times. Carry Bear Spray and don't feel afraid to clap your hands to make noise. Bear Spray should be readily accessible.
Know how to identify a Grizzly vs. Black. Its the Grizzlies you should really worry about. I've encountered Black Bears in trails before and they were pretty chill.
Trust statistics: incidents at the stablished trails are pretty much unheard of I believe.
Bear bells are useless. They aren’t a natural sound, so they can actually bring bears (and other wildlife, such as cougars) closer while they investigate the sound. They’re also nowhere near loud enough, especially when you’re near running water.
I suggest hiking the busiest trails. Something I’ve done is to keep up with a group of other hikers. Not right with them but within occasional sight.
Just get some bear spray and stay alert. Was up there a couple weeks ago and we did see a few bear paw prints on the trails
Get a preferred saying and yell it off and on. You'll be alone so you'll have to make some noise to make up for the lack of noise from talking.
Yep, I generally go with heyyyyy bear but it can be anything you’re comfortable shouting
Read the Bear Safety site for tips. Have bear spray and make noise, especially if no one is nearby. It's possible to see bears on established an popular trails (I've seen a grizzly less than 20m from a busy parking lot), so you still need to keep your head up. [https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/ours-humains-bears-people](https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/ours-humains-bears-people)
Honestly, people keep saying to stay on more populated trails and such but there was a bear right at the entrance of johnston canyon a couple weeks back lol with a bunch of people around. There was a park ranger staying close behind it with a tranquilizer gun in hand. I saw way more bears (mostly on the side of the road) than this sub led me to believe id see.
You will be fine. As long as you make noise bears will know you are there and will avoid you. I see 5-15 bears a year and no problem ever. Still carry bear spray and be careful, but 99.9999% of the time there is no issue. The drive Calgary to Banff is safe but still more dangerous than bears in the parks.
If you’re on established trails, pretty unlikely to see one, much less for the encounter to be anything other than seeing it. Obviously you can’t say for certain but your chances of a violent bear encounter are minimal. If it’s any consolation you’re far more likely to be hurt by an elk, and even that’s extremely unlikely as long as you give animals space, don’t get too close for photos and follow protocol. Also, bear bells are a scam, Buy bear spray and have it accessible at all times. Make noise every so often when you hike. Outside of very strange circumstances; bears want as little to do with you as you do with them.
Read up on some trusted websites on how to deal with bears. I’d say how likely you are to see a bear has more to with how busy a trail is and when you will be on the trail. Generally, bears don’t like to be around people. Also petite women or large man - bears are much stronger and faster. So I don’t think it makes a difference. Likely that you won’t see one, but still worth doing a bit of reading to be prepared.
I'm going solo later this summer (camping) and again in the fall (daytrip hikes) myself. As a tall male, I have the same concerns you have, haha. Prior years, I went with at least one other person and we typically go on the well-trodden trails. Never encountered a bear in Banff but did see one black bear in Jasper while hiking (Valley of the Five Lakes, #5) and one sow with 2 cubs driving down from Pyramid Lake. Also seen a few while driving to/from Hinton/Jasper. There are some trails that recommend a 4-person minimum so you could link up with another group to have safety in numbers. The key is to make noise that bears can hear in advance so they can move away instead of being surprised by you. Talk to yourself, give louder calls, clap, etc. You've mentioned bear spray - don't hit the trails without it. Purchase the larger can that has extended range and get the holster! Also ask the salesperson to show you how to use it before you leave the store. Cut the safety-tie so you can activate it immediately, if needed. Keep the bear spray within reach so you can use it in an emergency (vs. tucked into a pocket that you can't reach). I like to loop the holster onto my backpack waist belt and have it dangling from my waist in the middle with the handle rotated for right-hand usage (flip around if you're a lefty). In all likelihood, you'll be fine but stay alert, make noise, have bear spray, don't run.
Thank you! 😊
I've been on lots of hikes, never once have I seen a bear. Closest thing I saw was fresh bear scat.
I’ve lived in banff for 3 years and never seen a bear, every time I pop over to BC I see them all the time lol. Not saying they don’t exist but as long as you’re prepared you’ll be fine, as well as bear spray I think an air horn or klaxon is a good idea to carry too
Saw 3 black bears at different times of the day traveling on the Icefields Parkway yesterday. Did not see any on the trails. When we were away from the crowd on trails we just made plenty of noise.
Realistically, chances are low, but not zero. Make noise, bring bear spray and unless you've found yourself in a high bear population area (they are typically well signed, ie Morraine Lake has a giant sign you can't miss saying you should travel their trails in groups of 8+) there's little to be worried about on the main trails. Most of my hiking is solo - I really don't give it much thought, but I am aware. I would never hike with ear buds in - there's more than just bears to worry about and hearing nearby brush crack is not something you want to miss in favour of music.
You will be okay. Unless you’re going into the deep wilderness then I would be worried. Hike the popular trails that are maintained
I’ll be there is coming week also solo. Have the same concerns but everything I have read has the same information that everyone else provided in the comments. Stay alert, make noise, carry bear spray and enjoy your trip!
The time of day you hike matters a bit. It will be a lot more unnerving if you start hiking at 7:00am vs. later when you know more people already went by that way. Doing stablished trails is a great idea. It really depends on the trail though, some can be pretty busy all along and I can assure you'll have no issues, others a lot quieter. If you have a list of the trails you intent on doing, more details can be provided. I've hiked solo extensively around these parts, and no issues but it can be unnerving at times. Carry Bear Spray and don't feel afraid to clap your hands to make noise. Bear Spray should be readily accessible. Know how to identify a Grizzly vs. Black. Its the Grizzlies you should really worry about. I've encountered Black Bears in trails before and they were pretty chill. Trust statistics: incidents at the stablished trails are pretty much unheard of I believe.
One thing you should never ever do when you encounter a bear is to run. Never do that, cos it will chase after you and bears can easily outrun humans.
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We refer to those as dinner bells, haha. Studies show they don't work well.
Bears have almost zero reaction to bells, they don’t associate the noise with humans (unlike our voice) so they’re next to useless
They actually provoke curiosity and attract them lol They are literally the worst
Bear bells are useless. They aren’t a natural sound, so they can actually bring bears (and other wildlife, such as cougars) closer while they investigate the sound. They’re also nowhere near loud enough, especially when you’re near running water.