Okay.... SierraNevada, if you thought THAT was cute....
I guess the bear thing is just a bit silly (to me). I've had 'em walk within feet of me, but most just run away. Mostly just a nuisance, and it's usually irresponsible hikers and fishermen that are the problem at the Portal (leaving dead fish and guts in open containers or just on the shores, not closing the bear boxes, leaving food in the vehicles and leaving packs out in the open.)
Black Bear attacks and deaths??? Again, kind of a reach. If you want to do a study, compare the amount of people killed on the 395 in auto accidents to Black Bear attacks in the entire North American region. Much more dangerous of a proposition just to get to Lone Pine than bears actually standing ground and attacking. Just my opinion, but I've seen what an accident can do on the 395...... just haven't seen anyone hurt by a bear.
"Turtles, Frogs & other Environmental Sculpture"
