I'll add two things to the great comments already offered. Your food will be in greatest danger when you are in the parking lot at the portal. 90% of bear snatch and run jobs occur there. Don't put your pack down for a minute without your eyes being on the bag and you being within a few feet. Once you are on the trail, the chances of a bear encounter go down dramatically. Bears are smart. Why go all the way up to where the food is spread out when there are so many juicy backpacks all in one place at the portal.

That does not mean that your food is safe once on the trail, however. Once you get to trail camp in particular, your food is in constant danger from marmots.




These guys will chew through your tent, your pack and jacket pockets--anything. If you leave anything smelly on the ground at trail camp, leave your pockets open. I usually hang my smelly stuff from a rope at trail camp as these critters don't climb ropes.