Glacier's Avalanche Lake trail reopens

The popular trail to Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park was reopened to hikers on Wednesday, two days after multiple reports of grizzly bears approaching visitors prompted park officials to close the trail.

Spokeswoman Lauren Alley said park rangers on Monday and Tuesday conducted several patrols of the Avalanche Lake Trail without any additional bear sightings. But she said that visitors should be extra wary when hiking along the popular route.

“We have had sightings on Sperry Trail and John’s Lake Trail, so bears are out in the general area for sure,” Alley said, adding, “People should be prepared for bears at any time, anywhere in the park.”

In a Monday press release announcing the closure, park officials stated there had been reports of up to six separate grizzlies exhibiting signs of habituation in the Avalanche area, appearing to be unnaturally comfortable around humans.

They also referred to a report of a crowd of people who “nearly completely surrounded a grizzly bear along Avalanche Lake, causing the bear to swim out into the lake to create distance between itself and the crowd.”

Visitors to Glacier are asked to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet from bears to reduce the likelihood of provoking the animals.

Alley also noted that anyone hiking in the park should always carry bear spray and keep it readily accessible, and talk loudly to avoid inadvertently surprising any bears along the trail.

For updates on the Avalanche Lake Trail and other trails within the park, visit www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/trailstatusreports.htm.