Stay out of the way of bears

Everyone knows there's bear in them thar hills. If you've spent any time in the Sierra or perhaps even the Pine Nut Mountains, you've probably had personal experience or heard stories about bear encounters. Residents of the Tahoe Basin, Spring Valley or Double Springs have often reported bears in their trash cans.

One early morning out in the Sweetwaters, my husband came across a big pile of bear scat that was still steaming. He got out of there fast! On another occasion while riding his bike near the same area, a mother bear and her young cub ran across the trail right in front of him.

During the past years, residents of Buffalo Canyon in the Pine Nuts have had serious problems with bears breaking into their houses. They just don't seem to be afraid of people. Some years ago, while riding in our jeep, my husband and I got close to a 300-pound bear in the Pine Nuts. We had just passed the old sheep camp in Thompson Canyon, a little southeast of Fish Springs, when we saw him alongside the dirt road. He was a very large cinnamon-colored black bear. He quickly ran up the hills to escape our watching eyes. I was glad that I was in my jeep instead of hiking as he looked like he could run a whole lot faster than me. Although one time I actually did outrun a ferocious black bear in King's Canyon National Park and it was very scary. My story goes like this:

It was already dark when I went to the trash cans near our campsite. An exceptionally large dark-colored bear was standing up on his hind legs trying to tear open the trash containers when I startled him with my flashlight. He growled loudly and ran at me. I've read that you shouldn't run from an aggressive bear, and I shouldn't scream either. What you should do is speak softly to the bear as you back slowly to a tree, climb the tree as fast and as high as you can or, as a last resort, play dead. Fat chance - I couldn't do that. I just screamed bloody murder and ran for my life.

The angered bear chased me to my campsite. I jumped into the car while he ransacked the pots and pans looking for food. All night long I needed to go to the bathroom, but I knew Papa Bear was hiding outside, just waiting to eat me up. I didn't sleep at all that night, and I kept my legs crossed until it was the next morning.

One of our favorite camping areas has been Lake Almanor. One time we took four grandkids with us and the bears raided the trash cans and broke into several ice chests. It was very unnerving knowing these powerful and aggressive animals are nearby. But then I remembered that this is their forest, and I am the one who is encroaching on their home. Now I just stay way out of their way.

Linda Monohan may be reached at 782-5802.