Great Smoky Mountains issues bear warning

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is warning hikers to use extra caution after a series of bear incidents this spring and the continued closure of Ramsey Cascades Trail. The National Park Service said Ramsey Cascades Trail remained closed as of May 15 because of aggressive bear activity, after posting the closure on May 8. A park news release issued April 20 said rangers had responded to six bear-related incidents over two weekends on Ramsey Cascades Trail and Abrams Falls Trail. The park said spring brings increased black bear activity as mother bears emerge with cubs and search for limited early-season food sources. ### Which trail is closed right now? Ramsey Cascades Trail was listed as temporarily closed on the park’s current conditions page on May 15. The alert said the trail was closed because of aggressive bear activity and asked visitors to respect the closure while rangers monitor behavior. The park’s closures page also listed Ramsey Cascades Trail under “Bear Closures,” meaning the area is closed due to bear activity and cannot be accessed. (nps.gov) The same page listed Abrams Falls Trail under “Bear Warnings,” which the park defines as areas where bears are active and “extreme caution should be used.” ### What happened before the warning spread this week? An April 20 National Park Service release said rangers responded to three bear-related incidents at Ramsey Cascades Trail over one weekend. (nps.gov) The agency said two encounters involved a bear approaching visitors and taking two backpacks, and a third involved a bear that displayed aggressive behavior and briefly chased a group. (go.nps.gov) That same release said rangers also addressed three incidents on Abrams Falls Trail the previous weekend. One of those incidents involved an aggressive black bear that bit a visitor who had entered a closed area, the park said. Abrams Falls access road and trail later reopened after several days with no observed bear activity, according to the release. (nps.gov) ### Why are officials stressing caution in May? The park’s black bear guidance says bear activity is especially high from May through August and that visitors may face a higher likelihood of encounters during that period. The page says bears are wild, dangerous and unpredictable, and it notes that attacks on humans are extremely rare but have caused serious injuries and death. Great Smoky Mountains National Park said it is home to about 1,900 American black bears. (nps.gov) The park’s bear page says it has recorded an average of 339 negative human-bear encounters a year over the last 10 years, with many more going unreported. ### What are hikers being told to do? The National Park Service told visitors to stay at least 50 yards, or 150 feet, from bears. (nps.gov) The agency said approaching within that distance, or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear, is illegal in the park and can lead to fines and arrest. Park guidance also tells visitors to secure food, trash and scented items, avoid feeding bears, and consider carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it. (nps.gov) The bear safety page says hikers who encounter a bear should back away slowly, never run, and report unusual bear behavior as soon as possible. ### Where should visitors check before heading out? (nps.gov) The park’s bear page tells visitors to check “Bear Closures” and “Bear Warnings” before planning a hike. The closures page says hikers can also call the park’s backcountry information line at (865) 436-1297 for current trail and campsite information. The National Park Service also directs visitors to report unusual bear encounters by calling 865-436-1230 or visiting a visitor center. (nps.gov) As of May 15, Ramsey Cascades Trail remained closed on the park’s alerts page while rangers continued to monitor bear behavior. (nps.gov)