Bears in Winter at King Range

During my backcountry patrol last week, my partner and I visited with several groups of hikers. Of these, an unusual number did not have bear cans. We were told by two groups that they believed "bears would be hibernating" and, thus, bear cans would not be needed.

Not so. Regard yonder tooth-paste tube, punctured, it seems likely, but a dentally-concious vampire. My partner and I stayed at Kinsey Creek on our first night and at Gitchell our second. Each morning we found fresh bear tracks nearby. Indeed, between Kinsey and Big Creek we found bear tracks below the high tide mark--and this was only two hours after high tide. They are out and they are active.

Indeed, this time of year, bears are running out of food sources. The berries are done for the season. The fish and insects that make up a part of their diet are gone for the winter. What remains? Backpacker food? Maybe.

This is in large part why the bear can requirement is in place. ALL OVERNIGHT VISITORS to the King Range must keep their food in a hard-sided bear-proof container approved by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG). The approved containers include the Bear Vault, the Barrikade, and the Garcia Backpackers' Cache. The Ursack is NOT approved, even with the aluminum insert.

The bear can rule language has been recently changed from "each person must carry" a bear can to "all food and scented items must be stored in" a bear can. With this change, two people on an overnight trip may use one can. In my experience, two people for more than two nights will need more than one can. Last weekend our law enforcement officer began one conversation with, "Show me that all of this food fits." The food didn't fit. A citation was issued.

If you have questions or would like to discuss your trip planning, drop me an email or gimme a call. I am D.C. Carr. derek_carr@ca.blm.gov and 707-986-5405.