All overnight visitors must store all of their food, toiletries and scented items (Including trash) in a hard-sided bear-proof container approved by the Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG). Hanging your food is not an option in the King Range and on the Lost Coast Trail. Often people that have neglected to get a bear can tell me that they plan to hang their food because they have done a lot of backpacking in the Sierras and they are experienced with this. Well, that is great except that there is a serious lack of sufficient trees for hanging food on the LCT. Requirements for hanging food vary from place to place but generally 10’ high and 4’ from the base of the tree would be sufficient. You are not going to be able to achieve this on the LCT. The Picture above is a “bear hang” that I came across at Buck Creek. Their food was less than 5’ off the ground because this was the best tree they could find. This is one sad sight indeed.
Why do I need a bear can and what is it for?
People have told me that they aren’t worried if a bear gets their food, they will just cut their trip early. Besides, it will be exciting and adventurous to see a bear, they say. Well, the bear can is for protecting the bear from your food and not so much for protecting your food from the bear (although it is effective at this as well). You will notice on top of the Garcia Backpackers’ Cache it says, “Save the bears." So, what does this mean? When a bear starts to eat human food and learns that humans can be associated with an easy meal they will lose their fear of humans, come around campsites more often, and become increasingly aggressive. This is what you would call a “habituated” or “food conditioned” bear and they could eventually need to be put down if the aggression gets out of hand.
We are really lucky here at the King Range that we don’t have any habituated bears. In large part because we initiated the bear can requirement early enough and people have been abiding by the regulation; Last year our bear can compliance rate was 93%. Can we get it to 100%? I hope so.
So, what is a bear can?
There are several different makes and models of the bear can that are approved by the SIBBG which include the Bear Vault, the Barrikade, and the Garcia Backpackers’ Cache. The Ursack is Not approved, even with the aluminum insert. Do an internet search of any of these and you will get a good idea of what they look like. The Garcia is 8.8” in diameter, 12” long and cylindrical in shape. True, some say it is a bit heavy but keep in mind you can also use it as a chair and I have even seen them used as great percussion instruments.
Where can I get a bear can?
We rent out the Garcia bear can here at the BLM Project Office in Whitethorn for $5 for your entire journey. You will need a credit card and a drivers licensed (if you don’t return the bear can you will buy it). We are open Monday-Friday 8-4:30. If your trip ends after our closing hours you can drop your can off in the afterhours bear can return box next to our building. Keep in mind that our front gate will be closed but you can still walk in.
You can also rent from the BLM Field Office in Arcata which has the same hours as the Project office here in Whitethorn: Monday-Friday 8-4:30.
If you are starting your trip from the north you can rent your can from the Petrolia General Store for $5 as well. Their hours are Monday-Saturday 9-5:30 and Sunday from 11-5:00. Their number is 707-629-3455 if you want to verify the hours or have other questions.
Why do I need a bear can and what is it for?
People have told me that they aren’t worried if a bear gets their food, they will just cut their trip early. Besides, it will be exciting and adventurous to see a bear, they say. Well, the bear can is for protecting the bear from your food and not so much for protecting your food from the bear (although it is effective at this as well). You will notice on top of the Garcia Backpackers’ Cache it says, “Save the bears." So, what does this mean? When a bear starts to eat human food and learns that humans can be associated with an easy meal they will lose their fear of humans, come around campsites more often, and become increasingly aggressive. This is what you would call a “habituated” or “food conditioned” bear and they could eventually need to be put down if the aggression gets out of hand.
We are really lucky here at the King Range that we don’t have any habituated bears. In large part because we initiated the bear can requirement early enough and people have been abiding by the regulation; Last year our bear can compliance rate was 93%. Can we get it to 100%? I hope so.
So, what is a bear can?
There are several different makes and models of the bear can that are approved by the SIBBG which include the Bear Vault, the Barrikade, and the Garcia Backpackers’ Cache. The Ursack is Not approved, even with the aluminum insert. Do an internet search of any of these and you will get a good idea of what they look like. The Garcia is 8.8” in diameter, 12” long and cylindrical in shape. True, some say it is a bit heavy but keep in mind you can also use it as a chair and I have even seen them used as great percussion instruments.
Where can I get a bear can?
We rent out the Garcia bear can here at the BLM Project Office in Whitethorn for $5 for your entire journey. You will need a credit card and a drivers licensed (if you don’t return the bear can you will buy it). We are open Monday-Friday 8-4:30. If your trip ends after our closing hours you can drop your can off in the afterhours bear can return box next to our building. Keep in mind that our front gate will be closed but you can still walk in.
You can also rent from the BLM Field Office in Arcata which has the same hours as the Project office here in Whitethorn: Monday-Friday 8-4:30.
If you are starting your trip from the north you can rent your can from the Petrolia General Store for $5 as well. Their hours are Monday-Saturday 9-5:30 and Sunday from 11-5:00. Their number is 707-629-3455 if you want to verify the hours or have other questions.
REI also rents bear cans but the pricing varies from store to store so I won’t list it here. They did tell me that it is substantially less expensive for members, however.
If you plan on doing more trips in your life time it could be beneficial to just go ahead and purchase a can from one of the outdoor equipment suppliers.
If you plan on doing more trips in your life time it could be beneficial to just go ahead and purchase a can from one of the outdoor equipment suppliers.
Now I have a bear can what do I put in it?
Bears have an extremely heightened sense of smell. I have heard all kinds of statistics about this but just know that it is darn good and a whole lot better than yours. You want to store all of your food including cans and freeze dried foods. You also want to store all of your toiletries such as toothpaste, chapstick and sunscreen. Your trash still has scent so put that back in the can too (the cans we rent come with a small trash bag to help you with this).
I highly recommend that you check to make sure all of your food and other scented items fit into the can before you get to the trail head. It may require some creative packing to get everything to fit. Check out this link for more information about packing your bear can, they have some pretty good tips: http://sierrawild.gov/bears/how-pack-bear-can.
Bears have an extremely heightened sense of smell. I have heard all kinds of statistics about this but just know that it is darn good and a whole lot better than yours. You want to store all of your food including cans and freeze dried foods. You also want to store all of your toiletries such as toothpaste, chapstick and sunscreen. Your trash still has scent so put that back in the can too (the cans we rent come with a small trash bag to help you with this).
I highly recommend that you check to make sure all of your food and other scented items fit into the can before you get to the trail head. It may require some creative packing to get everything to fit. Check out this link for more information about packing your bear can, they have some pretty good tips: http://sierrawild.gov/bears/how-pack-bear-can.
Lastly…
Bears are very real here in the King Range. People are often surprised that bears will come all the way down to the beach. But indeed, just about every morning on the LCT I see bear tracks in the sand. There is, however, one other animal that the bear can is good for: the raccoon. These little animals are a nuisance as far as your food is concerned. They are very active and will literately tear apart your backpack to get to your food. It is also a potential $150 fine for each member of a party who is not carrying a can or is storing food or scented items outside of one. Do yourself a favor and help protect the animals in the King Range by getting a bear can.
Give us a call here if you have any questions: 707-986-5400
Thanks,
Your Backcountry Ranger
Paul
Paul
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