East Glacier National Park, Sunrift Gorge. June, 2012.
The close-ups were taken with a long lens while the grizzly bear climbed along a hilltop next to Going to the Sun Road. He disappeared over the hill and we descended the opposite direction down the gorge, a skinny hiking trail bordered on one side by the Baring stream, a rushing river swollen with winter runoff, and steep gorge cliff on the other side. It was cool and wet, we were the only people on the trail. After viewing the falls we began our hike back to the trailhead and saw the bear trotting down the trail toward us. We had seconds to react. Maddy and I slowly backed off the trail. Nikon hanging around my neck I snapped a few pics in the general direction of the bear as Kim clapped her hands a few times and hid behind a tree next to the trail. The grizzly stayed on the trail and passed within a foot of Kim.
When we made it back to the car we reread the BEAR WARNING pamphlet the ranger had given us at the entry gate. We did all the right things: hike in a group, make noise, back away slowly. I'm just glad we didn't have to test what to do in case of an attack !