Comrades,
Based upon your experience, how high in elevation have you seen bears? Yes, at the portal they are prevalent, but where else in the area have you noticed them?
I've never seen them above about 11,000 feet; their natural food supply is well below that elevation. You might encounter them at the Portal campground. Keep your food in a bear resistant container, and don't wear Aqua Velva...LOL. Don't worry about it.
http://sierrawild.gov/bears/
I once saw a bear run over the top of Muir Pass and cross a ridge at about 12,500 feet heading into Ionian Basin.
I don't know why it was up there but it changed my thoughts to you can see bears pretty much anywhere.
I know you can't see it but the bear is standing on this ridge:
Rogue, does the bear show up in the original (largest) version of that picture? link?
Regarding bears: People should be aware that the Whitney Portal bears are "Grab and Run" experts, especially anyone getting ready to hike in the dark. They lurk in the shadows, and when people set their day packs down and walk away, a bear will swoop in, grab the pack and run.
The bear gets a big treat, and the hiker's trip is pretty much ruined. So BEWARE!
Always keep your pack in the car, in a bear box (with doors closed!), or post someone right by all the gear at all times.
On that subject, are there bear lockers or anything at the trailhead to leave food/toiletries that will be needed while at the portal and on the trip home, during the time I go up the mountain?
On that subject, are there bear lockers or anything at the trailhead to leave food/toiletries that will be needed while at the portal and on the trip home, during the time I go up the mountain?
There are bear lockers. Be sure to mark the items you leave with your last name and expected date of return.
On that subject, are there bear lockers or anything at the trailhead to leave food/toiletries that will be needed while at the portal and on the trip home, during the time I go up the mountain?
There are bear lockers. Be sure to mark the items you leave with your last name and expected date of return.
Ok cool, thank you very much!
I've never seen them above about 11,000 feet; their natural food supply is well below that elevation.
Unless you consider Mountain House meals to be part of their "natural food supply"
Yeah you can even see it a bit in that small version.
Here is the full version. It's on the ridge standing on the snow.
On his way up:
Great shot. I would appreciate it if you would share any other candid wildlife pictures that you have in your collection.
Any mountain lions?
Nope never seen a mountain lion before. I don't really have allot of decent animal shots.
Okay, I take back that "never seen above 11,000 feet" guess. I once saw a large bear coming down after traversing a ridge on McGee Mountain, on its way to McGee Creek canyon...or beyond, perhaps. Ridge crossings seem to be easy ways for them to migrate between their natural feeding areas, instead of the longer way around on human trails.
Heading into Ionian is certainly not a good feeding area for a bear. Maybe it was headed down to Goddard Creek and Simpson Meadow.
