The Rainbow Lake Alpine Trails are closed to the public after "a defensive encounter" between a grizzly bear and a group of hikers, the Resort Municipality of Whistler announced Oct. 2.
In a bear alert posted to its website, the RMOW stated that both the municipality and Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRO) have been aware of the grizzly’s presence in the area since Sept. 21 of this year.
On Friday, the bear reportedly charged a group of six hikers. According to the RMOW, the hikers responded appropriately and managed to deploy their bear spray. No one was injured.
"Prior to this incident the bear had not shown any defensive behaviour towards humans," the alert reads. The municipality had previously issued a bear alert on Sept. 28 after receiving reports of a grizzly observed foraging in the Hanging Pass area of the trail network.
Based on the change in the animal's behaviour following the encounter, the RMOW and FLNRO made a joint decision to close all trails in the area until further notice in an effort to protect the safety of both the bears and the public.
Closed trails include:
- Rainbow Lake Trail above the Flank Trail
- Hanging Lake trail and campsite
- Beverly Lake
- Pot of Gold and Ninja Lakes Loop
This isn't the first time the trails, located on the west side of the valley, have been closed in response to a grizzly encounter.
Shortly after the RMOW initially opened the trail network atop Rainbow Mountain in 2018, the province in September of that year temporarily closed the alpine trail network after two separate groups of hikers had a close call with a grizzly near Rainbow Lake.
Those incidents prompted the RMOW to last year begin developing a plan to mitigate potential conflict with grizzly bears along the trail network.
The incident also comes following another Sea to Sky encounter between hikers and a grizzly bear acting defensively last month.
A 36-year-old man was hiking along North Creek Trail near Pemberton, "slightly ahead of the group when he spotted a bear cub and was suddenly attacked by a sow grizzly," said B.C.'s Conservation Officer Service at the time. The grizzly reportedly bit the man's leg and hand, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries.
Any trail users venturing out into bear country are reminded to remain vigilant and:
- Never approach a bear. Keep your distance and back away slowly.
- Always carry bear spray and know how to use it in the event of an encounter.
- Travel in groups and make noise as you walk.
- Be vigilant, watch for signs of bears in the areas such as scat.
Any bear sightings can be reported to the COS at 1-877-952-7277.
