Bears add an intimidating and exciting element to the North Cascades experience. They are animals to respect, but not fear. The steps necessary to travel safely in bear country begin before you arrive. Learning about bears before your visit can help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience. Your help and cooperation is necessary to protect the North Cascades experience, the bears, and everyone’s safety at this amazing place. Black bears and grizzly bears have many things in common. They are intelligent, curious, and individualistic. They begin to hibernate in the fall and emerge from their dens in the spring. During hibernation, bears do not eat, drink, defecate, or urinate and may lose one quarter to one third of their body weight. To survive hibernation, bears must eat a year’s worth of food in six months or less and their diet is extremely varied. Each species can climb trees, although black bears are much more agile climbers compared to grizzlies. They have good eyesight and an excellent sense of smell. They are powerful, fast, and protective of their cubs.
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