The Bears Are Here

8/20/2011

A 30 degree difference once the sun went down. Our high yesterday was 71 with a low of 41. We had our first bear make a full blown appearance in camp. He was a yearling just looking for food. We have also had reports of bear activity on Alum. For the first time in my nine years up top, the park closed LeConte shelter due to bear activity. The report I received was a wide spread problem with bear activity in the park. The lack of food in the park has raised some concern for higher then normal bear activity. Please make sure if you visit the park that you dispose of any trash in the proper manner. Remember a fed bear is a dead bear. I had no problems scaring the bear away in camp. We yelled and threw rocks and he scampered off. Remember to act big, yell, shake trees, and throw rocks (not your pack) at the bears and they will leave.

Henry Smith link

8/20/2011 01:07:31 am

coming up to tennesse in couple weeks can't wait to see the mountains. the bear are a natural part of the park and i love getting to go up and seeing them, for years you didn't see them. and the temp there is what i wish it was here in south georgia. thanks for your blog it brings me joy everyday to see pictures and hear of life up on the mountain.

Dwayne link

8/20/2011 01:35:17 am

Are the low night time temps early this year? or is this normal...dwayne

Brian

8/20/2011 03:43:15 am

Is it possible to fill up water bottles at the lodge? We will be spending the night at the shelter then hiking on through. Just trying to determine amount of water to head out with.

Dennis

8/20/2011 03:58:01 am

There is a place to get water at the lodge.

Ken

8/20/2011 04:05:32 am

Bear visits on my wife's first visit to LeConte! Don't forget the bear-scare lessons before the hike down. Tell Lori her family loves her and misses her!

Kelly Roney

8/20/2011 06:25:48 am

I remember a low of 38 in July in the 1970s, so 41 is not an early arrival, just normal variation.

Cathy

8/20/2011 10:34:23 am

Cathy link

8/20/2011 10:35:44 am

Sounds like the bears are tired of waiting on those blackberries!

Shane S

8/20/2011 04:09:59 pm

@ Brian,
You can fill water bottles near the Lodge, however you may want to double check on the shelter. It may be closed due to bear activity according to the post.

Elysia

8/22/2011 12:27:25 pm

We have decided to bring our friends next weekend for a hike. We have hiked Alum previously is there another trail that you all recommend (maybe less bears? ;)) I imagine the more popular trails are experiencing more bear activity b/c of food would that be a good assumption or just the time of year and expect bears on all?

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The Bears Are Here

LeConte Lodge

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