Post your favourite Bear pic(s)!

[dayhiker]

I know that exact loop. I've done it a couple of times. That whole area is known for trouble bears. The campground is beautiful, but I only have a popup for RV camping and that means putting all the gear in the truck at night. But you're right that everything looms larger in the fog. Once, I stayed in that shelter and had a funny thing happen. Our group got there first but we were joined by a large group of UGA and USC med students. They had a mini-reunion there every year for the football game and to get drunk and rowdy. One of our guys got so upset, he took his plastic ground sheet, went out front and rolled up in it and slept there, in the rain. (You remember the shelter is set back a way from the AT.) In the AM, the students were all sleeping in and had to answer the call of nature, so I left the shelter and went down the steep slope behind the shelter in the rhododendron. Remembering that the student group was about half female, I kept going a little further. When I climbed back up, the shelter had vanished! (The fog had really gotten thick.) I finally decided to quarter up the mountain to my left (NW), since the AT runs right along the ridge, I'd be sure to cut it and the shelter would be to my right. Just as I got to the trail, I almost stepped on a huge buck with a big rack which was sleeping right by the trail. I don't know which of us was scared worse. I've been turned around many times, but that was the first for a poop expedition...

3 of us did a weird trip to hit Gregory Bald during azalea season. I don't recall the trail names, but there is a one way road out of the Cove. We dropped a vehicle at the first turnout on this road that has a trail leading to Gregory. We parked at the next pullout and did a dayhike up Gregory and back to the previous vehicle then drove out and collected the first one. We then loop around to Abrams Falls campground and hike towards Abrams Falls. We were going to overnight at one of the backcountry sites and then collect a 3rd vehicle at the Abrams Falls parking lot in the Cove. We are racing sunset and booking it to camp when we pass a couple in their early 20's sitting along Abrams Creek on a picnic. The girl was topless and as we hike by, she just grinned. The next day, we're driving out of the Cove and see a massive buck. One guy comments, "Dang, check out the rack on that." Another quips, "that rack is way better than the one we saw last night."

Thankfully, I've not gotten lost on a poop expedition.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

This bear atop Mt. Sterling in the GSMNP was a real problem for us. For one thing, she had two cubs with her. Second, that trail she's straddling is the trail to the water supply. We always went down in threes, which left Liz the unpleasant task of staying behind and watching the camp...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

So what you're saying is you didn't take off in an all out sprint and form tackle her? :biggrin2:

This bear atop Mt. Sterling in the GSMNP was a real problem for us. For one thing, she had two cubs with her. Second, that trail she's straddling is the trail to the water supply. We always went down in threes, which left Liz the unpleasant task of staying behind and watching the camp...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

3 of us did a weird trip to hit Gregory Bald during azalea season. I don't recall the trail names, but there is a one way road out of the Cove. We dropped a vehicle at the first turnout on this road that has a trail leading to Gregory. We parked at the next pullout and did a dayhike up Gregory and back to the previous vehicle then drove out and collected the first one. We then loop around to Abrams Falls campground and hike towards Abrams Falls. We were going to overnight at one of the backcountry sites and then collect a 3rd vehicle at the Abrams Falls parking lot in the Cove. We are racing sunset and booking it to camp when we pass a couple in their early 20's sitting along Abrams Creek on a picnic. The girl was topless and as we hike by, she just grinned. The next day, we're driving out of the Cove and see a massive buck. One guy comments, "Dang, check out the rack on that." Another quips, "that rack is way better than the one we saw last night."

Thankfully, I've not gotten lost on a poop expedition.

LOL! I've done that same loop several times and that's one long shuttle back around. In fact, I've looped all the way back into the Cove. Once, the only way we could everybody and gear into the shuttle vehicle was taking everything out of the packs and breaking them down. I think someone still had to sit on a lap for that long drive. The road is Parson's Branch Road. It's closed about as often as it's open...

 

[TIDE-HSV]

So what you're saying is you didn't take off in an all out sprint and form tackle her? :biggrin2:

I don't bother them unless they bother me. I did start carrying bear spray after the fatalities. It's technically not legal, but they don't enforce it. In fact, they don't even look in packs unless they have reason to suspect contraband. They did use to inspect your pack if you were going in in the winter. There was one guy at Sugarlands who would make us take every item out and spread it on the floor. One January, we arrived at the visitors' center and seeing him on duty, we just unpacked and spread everything out. (Most other rangers would just sort of poke around in your pack and tell you to go on.) He came over, took a glance and said "Looks great," leaving us staring at each other in disbelief. When I got back home, I saw that some packer had won a case against the NPS and stopped them from making routine pack inspections. This ranger had known that and had watched us unpack, knowing we didn't have to any more. He was a real SOB...

 

[Bamabuzzard]

When I got back home, I saw that some packer had won a case against the NPS and stopped them from making routine pack inspections. This ranger had known that and had watched us unpack, knowing we didn't have to any more. He was a real SOB...

Yeah, game wardens tend to have this problem as well. Some folks can't handle authority.

 

[BamaPokerplayer]

errrr won't work

 

[Bazza]

---snip---He was a real SOB...

And now works for the IRS.

(FIFY)

 

[TIDE-HSV]

And now works for the IRS.

(FIFY)

He's most probably dead by now. That was mid-70s...

 

[cbi1972]

I don't bother them unless they bother me. I did start carrying bear spray after the fatalities. It's technically not legal, but they don't enforce it.

Is this specific to that park? They sell pepper spray inside Yellowstone and it's highly encouraged for hikers.

Edit: Looks like it's a national law being violated even by park employees.
Is Bear Pepper Spray Legal or Illegal to have in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER I--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PART 2_RESOURCE PROTECTION, PUBLIC USE AND RECREATION--Table of Contents
Sec. 2.4 Weapons, traps and nets.

(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section and parts 7 (special regulations) and 13 (Alaska regulations), the following are prohibited:
(i) Possessing a weapon, trap or net
(ii) Carrying a weapon, trap or net
(iii) Using a weapon, trap or net
Definition of a weapon is described below:

TITLE 36--PARKS, FORESTS, AND PUBLIC PROPERTY

CHAPTER I--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

PART 1_GENERAL PROVISIONS--Table of Contents

Sec. 1.4 What terms do I need to know?
Weapon means a firearm, compressed gas or spring-powered pistol or rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow, blowgun, speargun, hand-thrown spear, slingshot, irritant gas device, explosive device, or any other implement designed to discharge missiles, and includes a weapon the possession of which is prohibited under the laws of the State in which the park area or portion thereof is located.

New law allows loaded guns in national parks
Or is that law now out of date?

As of Monday, guns will be allowed in all but about 20 of the park service’s 392 locations, including some of its most iconic parks: Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Great Smoky Mountains, Yosemite and Rocky Mountain National Park. Guns will not be allowed in visitor centers or rangers’ offices, because firearms are banned in federal buildings, but they could be carried into private lodges or concession stands, depending on state laws.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Is this specific to that park? They sell pepper spray inside Yellowstone and it's highly encouraged for hikers.

Edit: Looks like it's a national law being violated even by park employees.
Is Bear Pepper Spray Legal or Illegal to have in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?




New law allows loaded guns in national parks
Or is that law now out of date?

I haven't heard anything about the gun law being repealed, but, OTOH, I have no intention of carrying a gun into the GSMNP, anyway, or any other part not in Alaska. Weight is very important in backpacking and the pepper spray is excellent protection. Saved Jack Hannah's life in a grizzly attack in Alaska last year...

 

[cbi1972]

I haven't heard anything about the gun alw being repealed, but, OTOH, I have no intention of carrying a gun into the GSMNP, anyway, or any other part not in Alaska. Weight is very important in backpacking and the pepper spray is excellent protection. Saved Jack Hannah's life in a grizzly attack in Alaska last year...

It seems the earlier law lumped pepper spray in with firearms in its prohibitions. I have not seen the actual text of the newer law supposedly permitting guns in national parks to see what the implication would be for pepper spray.

 

[RogueElephant]

My favorite is the Bear Bryant poster I had framed that shows all of Bears wins throughout his career. It is hung in my hallway and I pat it before every game for good luck not that we need it.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

It seems the earlier law lumped pepper spray in with firearms in its prohibitions. I have not seen the actual text of the newer law supposedly permitting guns in national parks to see what the implication would be for pepper spray.

It's of interest to me. I'll take a look...

 

[Bazza]

 

[Bazza]

 

[Bazza]

This is a good one....wow......

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I think Timothy Treadwell (AKA Grisly Man) had some good photos of bears right before they ate him and his girlfriend.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I think Timothy Treadwell (AKA Grisly Man) had some good photos of bears right before they ate him and his girlfriend.

He was an absolute idiot...

 

[skrayper77]