Preventing Bear Attacks: Essential Tips for Safe Hiking in Glacier National Park

A section of a trail in Glacier National Park was closed after a bear attack injured a man, the second in Montana in just over a month. The man was hiking with a group near the Grinnell Glacier Overlook trailhead on the Highline Trail when the incident occurred. Park officials are yet to confirm whether the bear involved was a grizzly or black bear.

Victim's Condition and Rescue

The 35-year-old man suffered non-life-threatening injuries. He managed to hike over a mile to the Granite Park Chalet with assistance before being airlifted to a location where he could be transported by ambulance to a hospital in Whitefish. Park officials did not disclose his name or the extent of his injuries. The trail from Haystack Butte to the Granite Park Chalet will remain closed until further notice.

Bearing in mind that bear attacks on humans in Montana are uncommon but do occur, park officials issued a reminder that Glacier National Park is home to both black and grizzly bears. To minimize the risk of encounters, hikers are strongly advised to:

• Hike in groups
• Make noise while hiking
• Have bear spray readily available and know how to use it