How to Protect your Food...
When bears repeatedly obtain human food and garbage, they may become
destructive and dangerous, and must be killed.
To prevent this follow these regulations:
How to Protect your Food...
Food must be stored properly any time you are not preparing and eating
it. Store anything with an odor
(soap, sunscreen, garbage) the same as
food.
Food and related supplies (coolers, etc.) left at railheads must be stored
in metal food storage boxes where
provided. If none are available, ask a ranger for alternatives. Items left
in vehicles attract bears; property
damage can result.
Some back country locations have metal food storage boxes; ask for a list.
Light-weight, bear proof canisters may be rented at Lodgepole, Mineral King, or Cedar Grove.
If these are not available, you must post a 24-hour guard or use the counterbalance
method for hanging
food.
Camp near hanging food to better defend it. If a bear gets your food, you must pack out all debris.
Recommendations
Avoid bringing odorous foods.
Plan to camp, eat, and hang food before dark. Leave packs on the ground,
empty of food and scented items
with pockets open.
Make loud noises and throw things to scare bears away should they approach.
Be bold, but keep a safe
distance and use good judgment. Report injuries, property damage, or unusual
encounters to a ranger.