Backcountry users take heed if you plan on heading into higher elevations
Posted Sep 2, 2016 9:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
There are a few things you’re going to want to keep in mind if you’re heading into the national parks this long weekend, first and foremost be “bear aware.”
Parks Canada spokesperson Tania Peters says anyone who hikes Moraine Lake right now will have to do so in groups of “4”.
“In the Lake Louise area of Banff National Park, as of September 1st we have an annual restriction,” she said. “People need to be legally hiking in a tight group of 4 if they’re going to be hiking in that area. It’s meant for people’s safety and the safety of grizzly bears in that area.”
Peters says the number was derived by a lot of research since 2007.
No tight group of 4 or more has had a negative encounter with a grizzly bear and it’s something they’ve adopted ever since.
“Carry bear spray as well and make sure you make a lot of noise if you’re hiking in any area of the park, not just this area,” she said.
Anyone heading into the National Parks must also keep the food and wildlife attractants not unattended, that means taking your garbage with you when you leave.
“It’s making sure wildlife can stay wild and they aren’t associating people with food.”
“This is not unusual for the Moraine Lake area, this is a seasonal restriction that often goes into place. This year it’s starting later than it usually does because a lot of grizzly bears were concentrating their activity in the lower valley with an abundant buffalo berry crop and as the buffalo berry crop moves into higher areas, we’re seeing those bears move up into the higher areas like Moraine Lake where they’re known to hang out during the summer time.”
According to their figures there have been more than two dozen encounters in the last week with bears.
