There have been numerous grizzly bear and black bear encounters in K-Country this week, leading to Bear Warnings and Closures.
On Aug. 5, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warning for the Buller Mountain Trailhead, because of multiple grizzle bears feeding on abundant berries in the area, as well as the Mount Kidd RV Park, because of a grizzly bear frequenting the area with its cubs.
As of Aug. 6, a Bear Closure has been issued for the Buller Mountain Day Use, including for Buller Pond Hiker-Biker Camping, due to multiple grizzly bears in the area, including bears with cubs, feeding on abundant berries.
Over at Mount Shark Road and Smith-Dorrien Trail (Highway 742, Spray Lakes Road), between Mount Shark Road and Sparrowhawk Day Use, has a Bear Warning, because of grizzly bears feeding on abundant berries in the area.
This resulted in a close encounter with a cyclist, who then deployed bear spray.
Because of that, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warning for the area on Aug. 6.
Nearby, the area south of the Gorge Creek Trail (west to Bluerock Creek Trail, east to Indian Oils Trail gate) is under a Bear Closure, as of Aug. 6, because of a grizzly bear feeding on a cow carcass in the area.
The Gorge Creek and Bluerock Creek Trails remain open, but there is to be no off-trail travel.
On Aug. 7, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Warning for the Bill Milne Trail from Mount Kidd to Wedge Pond, as well as a Bear Closure for the Bill Milne Trail from Kananaskis Village to the Mount Kidd RV Park.
The Bear Warning was issued for Bill Milne Trail from Mount Kidd to Wedge Pond, because a grizzly bear bluff charged a hiker.
Meanwhile, on the section of Bill Milne Trail from Kananaskis Village to the Mount Kidd RV Park, Alberta Parks issued a Bear Closure, because of multiple bears, both grizzly and black bears, frequenting the area and feeding on abundant berries.
There has also been a report of a bluff charging hikers in this section.
While these closures and warnings are currently for these areas, Alberta Parks is reminding everyone that bears can be encountered anywhere in K-Country at any time.
To help avoid a surprise encounter with a bear, it's recommended that people keep all attractants, such as food, garbage, pet food, secure from bears, and never leave them unattended.
When out hiking, travel in groups, make plenty of noise, keep pets on a leash, and be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye out for signs of bears in the area.
On top of that, Alberta Parks recommends wearing bear spray in an easily accessible location.
To stay up to date on Bear Warnings and Bear Closures in Alberta, click here.