Destination: Cracker Lake

Glacier National Park

Running at full speed, bears and horses sound almost the same. I never realized this. Although it seems almost impossible, I think they run at about the same speed too. I've never surprised a bear on the trail and never thought it likely because I'm such a loud and slow hiker. Today I have more zip in my step because the hike is short, down hill, and I am returning from a fantastic destination. I walk around a curve and there it is—tail end on the trail, business end in the thicket. It took a moment to grasp what I was looking at. Then recognition hit with a gasp and a shot of adrenaline as the bear backed out quickly and dashed to the next bend in the trail, about 30 yards away. I was glad when he stopped and turned around because I wanted to get a better look at him. But now he's just standing there smelling me—I would really like him to leave now. I clap my hands and say with all the authority I can summon, "shoo bear." Unbelievable. It works.

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