Bear container - Pacific Crest Trail

imported
#1

I am doing a sec. hike from kennedy mdws. to oregon. am thinking about not taking my bear can. Realistically, how often do they check and what is done if you dont have one?

floater

#2

Highly suggest you take it up to Sonora Pass at least, then mail it home. Legal issues aside, the animals around Tuolumne Meadows are incredibly adept and you don’t want to feed them.

I never got checked in the early season (May-June), but I have heard from many who have. I don’t remember the penalty, but I think I remember hearing you will get your permit pulled and escorted out of the Parks. I imagine there’s a fine, too.

Is this the Floater I met several times on the AT last year? I was hiking with Pickle.

Garlic

#3

I empathize in general with doing your own thing, and using common sense and your own experience instead of following rules. And i HATE alarmists who give exaggerated warnings on the internet. But in this case, just take the bear can for your hike. It’s highly likely that a bear will find you at some point while going through there, even if a ranger doesn’t. As for myself, each time through the high sierra i’ve had a ranger ask to see my bear can, and each time through i’ve had a bear come sniffing around my camp.

markv

#4

I’ve been going into the Sequoia/Kings Canyon back country from the east side for over 20 years. Until 2 years ago, I refused to carry a bear can - but received a Bearicade Expedition as a gift so decided to try it out.

The advantages of having a bear can far, far outweigh the PITA aspects of additional weight. The ability to camp anywhere without concern for having some bear become your middle of the night new best buddy and tentmate is a real plus.

I know most of the SEKI backcountry rangers. Good folks - but they will check for your bear container. Too often, they have to clean up the crap from a bear encounter - where the bear is just being a bear, but the human thought he/she knew a better way and avoided the rules.

Booger

#5

Thanks for the input. Last time I hiked Ca. I was not checked nor did I have bear probs. Then I did take a bear can from the Ore. border and mailed it home at Kenn. Mdws. THink I"ll follow Garlics suggestion. Im like the schizophrenic whose medicine is working that quits taking thiking the prob. is solved. Garlic- hi- same Floater.(am doing the Col. Trail Next month before the Ca. sec.):cheers

Floater

#6

Besides Northern Washington I cannot think of a place that comes closer to the necessity for a bear can. BUT, no place do I think you need a can more than the section you are talking about. Besides Yosemite, Tahoe is notorious for bear problems and it seems I’ve never done the Shasta/Trinity’s/Etna area without seeing a bear every day. It’s a pisser to have to pack that thing but just look at all the bright sides;you have camp stool, eliminate bear problems, and eliminate ranger problems.

BigBaby

#7

I had a bear playing soccer with my bear can in Kings Canyon while hiking the JMT. The PITA factors didn’t seem to matter anymore, just use one.

bowlegs