My Encounter with Ursus Horribilis

The first grizzly bear of the year was spotted last week by a skier on Specimen Ridge in Yellowstone Park.

It’s probably not the same bear I ran into there some years ago but it may be his kin.

Following an elk trail along the ridge through waist-deep snow, I caught movement ahead of me in the trees and froze in my tracks. A bear was headed in my direction on the same trail. Dark-colored and enormous, there was no doubt as to which flavor he was.

I’d heard it said that black bears are often mistaken for grizzlies, but seldom vice versa. This was such a case. Although he had a nearly black coat his dished face and prominent hump clearly marked him as ursus horribilis.

I reached for my camera, and the bear, seeing movement, charged without hesitation.

Distances change with time, and I have difficulty recalling exactly how close he was, but by the time I scrambled up the nearest tree, he was standing at the base of it.

I can’t remember what I said to the bear, something profound I’m sure, but he took a look at me, turned around and disappeared into the trees.

By the time I let go of the tree trunk I’d been hugging, and climbed down, only tracks in the snow remained as a reminder of the encounter.

I’ve run into other grizzlies in the spring, just none so close. A run-in with a young bear on an open hillside comes to mind. By the time I spotted him he had already seen me. There was no refuge, no trees to climb.

I slowly began backing away, keeping a close eye on the bear. Fortunately, he soon lost interest in me and went about his business.

I wondered what kind of experience the skier had last week. Was it a puckeringly close encounter or was the bear a mere dot in the snow a half mile away and had to be identified through binoculars?

Having survived a few relatively close encounters unscathed I’d recommend the up close and personal approach. It will keep you on your toes.

By the way, it’s spring.

Be aware.

There are bears out there.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]