Bears in Yosemite / Sequoia / Kings Canyon

I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
prepared for a bear encounter?

Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

Kind regards,
Niels

On Jun 29, 8:31 am, Niels <niels.wout...@> wrote:
> I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
> my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
> should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
> prepared for a bear encounter?
>
> Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
> hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)
>
> Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
> 7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
> planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?
>
> Kind regards,
> Niels



The only thing you need to worry about is running into other hikers on
the trails. Just don't leave food in your car.

In article <1183131102.705426.119050@u2g2000hsc.. com>,
Niels <niels.wouters@> wrote:
>I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
>my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
>should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
>prepared for a bear encounter?

Good sense.
Just don't corner one.
Keep a clean camp/car.

>Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
>hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)

Depends how experienced you are.
If you are small frame, mountains lions are likely to be a problem
at lower elevations. They have been reported in West.

Do not step on rattlesnakes.

>Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
>7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
>planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?

I'm doing Tower or Merced peaks with my climbing partner just slightly
earlier.

--

"Niels" <niels.wouters@> wrote in message
news:1183131102.705426.119050@u2g2000hsc. ...
>I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
> my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
> should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
> prepared for a bear encounter?
>
> Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
> hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)
>
> Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
> 7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
> planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?
>
> Kind regards,
> Niels
>

The main precaution you need to take is to make plenty
of noise, bears dont like surprises but if they know your
coming they'll clear out.

Keith

On Jun 29, 10:31 am, Niels <niels.wout...@> wrote:
> I will be visiting the aforementioned NPs in the beginning of July; on
> my own (unfortunately). Apart from a bear-bell and pepper-spray,
> should there be other things I should carry with me in order to be
> prepared for a bear encounter?
>
> Is hiking on your own absolutely not recommended? (I will not be
> hiking into the backcountry, just nice day-hikes)
>
> Anyone else in the area in that period (Sequoia & Kings Canyon NP :
> 7th of July - 8th of July; Yosemite : 9th of July - 11th of July),
> planning to hike and willing to arrange a hike with me?
>
> Kind regards,
> Niels

I don't think the risk is very high- unlike Yellowstone, with its
fairly dangerous grizzlies, CA only has black bears, which are much
less aggressive. The main thing you don't want to do is leave food in
your tent or in your car. The Yosemite bears are very used to people
and have learned to tear cars open like tin cans if they see goodies
inside (I've seen some pretty spectacular photos of the resulting
damage). Plus, if the rangers see a parked car with a mere candy bar
in the front seat, it will get towed (this happened to someone when I
was there).