Several trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park are temporarily closed due to “aggressive bear activity,” and officials warn that bear encounters are on the rise.
WASHINGTON — The Great Smoky Mountains National Park has temporarily closed several trails because officials said “Bear Aggressive Activity” Black bear encounters continue to increase as spring and summer peak.
The Ramsey Falls Trail was first closed on May 8 due to repeated bear activity and remained closed Thursday, according to the National Park Service. The Morris Ridge Shelter along the Appalachian Trail is also closed due to aggressive bears.
Park officials warn visitors that bear encounters are more likely this time of year, especially May through August.
“Bear activity is especially high between May and August,” the park says on its website. “Visitors may have a higher likelihood of encountering a bear this time of year.”
There have been several incidents involving black bears in the park recently, resulting in the park being closed. rangers responded There were three bear-related incidents on the Ramsey Cascades Trail in April, two of which involved bears approaching visitors and stealing backpacks. In another case, a bear briefly chased a group of hikers.
Officials also reported three incidents involving aggressive black bears on the Abrams Falls Trail, including one where a visitor was bitten after entering a restricted area. The trail has since reopened.
Park officials say spring is a particularly sensitive time as mother bears emerge from their dens with their cubs while searching for limited food sources.
The National Park Service urges visitors to stay at least 50 yards away from bears, secure food and trash, avoid hiking alone when possible, and consider carrying bear spray.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to approximately 1,900 black bears and receives approximately 12 million visitors annually, making it the most visited national park in the United States.
The warnings come amid several recent bear incidents in national parks across the United States
Last week, a missing hiker found dead Officials at Montana’s Glacier National Park said this appears to be the park’s first fatal bear incident since 1998. A few days ago, two hikers seriously injured Grizzly bear attack in Yellowstone National Park. Officials there said there was evidence the bear involved was a grizzly mother with her cubs.
Park officials stressed that high bear activity can occur anywhere in the Smoky Mountains and said trail closures could change as the situation develops.
