Bears in The Gorge and Mt. Hood NF (2024)

What's the bear threat in The Gorge and Mt. Hood NF? How aggressive are they? Are there many of them? What level of food protection do I need when overnighting? Should I carry spray? Has anyone had a nasty experience with one in this area, and, if so, how can I avoid one myself?

Forgive me my worries as I grew up in urban NE Ohio - where the last bruin was likely eradicated in the 1920's - and have absolutely, positively zero experience wth them; thus, the prospect of an encounter gives me the willies.

Thanks!

There are definitely a few black bears in the Gorge, but I never gave them a second thought. I don't even think to make any special preparations for them. I don't imagine you'll hear of many people that do...

I grew up camping in the Adirondacks where those things were like squirels - we'd see four or five in a week's time at summer camp. They were always getting in the food. We'd chanse them away clanging pots and pans together. (not smart, in hindsight)

If you are worried just hang your food and your garabe in a tree. I have not had any problems either.

enjoy

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Yes, there are black bears in the Gorge. No, they have not presented any threat to hikers - having not heard on a single incident in the 25 years I have hiked.

Always hang your food off the ground, doesn't have to be anything elaborate. It's the rodents that present more of a problem. The mice have been well trained in tent entry and food extraction.

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I've seen bears on the PCT going South from the Columbia, on the road to Top Spur trailhead just Northwest of Mt Hood, and on the Paradise Loop trail just West of Mt Hood. Each time, when the bear saw a human it ran in the opposite direction.

I've had mice eat holes in my food bag or pack when it was on the ground, so I always hang it a few feet off the ground. When convenient, I hang my food out of a tree out of reach of any possible bear.

I was camping in Paradise Park, hung my food a few feet off the ground near my sleeping bag, and saw bear tracks the next morning about 50 feet from my sleeping bag.

Not only have I never heard of human casualties as a result of bears in the area, I haven't even heard of one having a meeting that involved anything more than the bear running away. I have seen 2 bears, both times, I only saw it's butt and back legs, because it was already running away!

I think here in the PNW we got blessed with a particularly non-aggressive population of black bear.

I too grew in an urban area and was very concerned about wild animals when I started to hike. Now after 2 years of hiking it's not nearly that unnerving.

Even though bears live in the Gorge, I've never seen bears or even their tracks there. Saw plenty of cougar tracks on snow in numerous places around the Gorge, but never saw the cat itself. As was said above, given the number of people out there and rarity of incidents the danger is very low. Only beware about mother bear with cubs as she's likely to defend them. I do usual precautions like using a bright headlamp at night (may discourage a cougar; also you will see its eyes glowing in the light of headlamp from a long distance) and hanging food from bears and especially rodents. Food needs to be hanged high enough above ground and several feet away from tree trunk, and away from your camp.

The biggest problem when camping is becoming cold (and wet). I had run into situations when it was much colder at night than forecasted and I ended up not having enough clothes to stay warm.

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