[MCR] Access - Sir Donald/Asulkan

Hi All,

This message explains the present situation in the Illecillewaet/Asulkan valleys including Sir Donald, and the reasoning behind the bear restrictions in place.  Please take this into account when planning a trip into the area and note that there are no restrictions in place for the Hermit Basin including Mt Tupper, the Swiss Peak Traverse, and Mt Rogers.  

Thank you for your understanding.

Visitor Safety

Glacier National Park

Group of 4 Restriction in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan Valleys – July 23, 2015

Two (2) curious sub-adult grizzly bears, their mother and another sow with young cubs have been repeatedly observed in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys trail system. The two sub-adults have spent the past 3 years in the area with their mother, frequently exposed to visitors using the trail system and have become very tolerant and inquisitive of people. They exclusively forage on what the wilderness provides, and are neither threatened by humans, nor do they demonstrate aggressive behaviour towards them.

As of summer 2015, the park human-wildlife conflict team has received multiple reports of sub-adult grizzlies following hikers (both groups and individuals), at times for up to 1 hour and as close as 10m. With the best and most remote grizzly habitat dominated by older and more aggressive grizzlies, it is normal for a sow and cubs, as well as sub-adults, to establish themselves in less ideal bear habitat. Riskier places that are closer to human infrastructure (i.e trails and campgrounds) are typically avoided by adult male grizzlies.  In order to keep these two sub-adults out of trouble with people and increase their chances of survival, humans need to provide help if the form of willingness to modify behaviour. These bears require an additional level of care from the staff at Glacier National Park, as well as understanding and compliance from the visiting public.

In response to this situation the Superintendent of Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks has enacted a mandatory restriction on the majority of trails in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys. This restriction means that by law, visitors may access the trails only if they are in a group of four (4) or more adults (adult defined as ~12 years old), and remain within 3 metres of each other. Non-compliance is subject to a fine. This restriction is to protect both people and bears, as research has found that a grizzly bear is drastically less likely to approach people in tight groups of 4 adults or more.

We appreciate your help in respecting this closure and in protecting both visitor and bear safety.  

Trails where group of 4 applies in Glacier National Park	Trails where group of 4 does not apply in Glacier National Park
·        Great Glacier ·        Avalanche Crest ·        Asulkan Valley ·        Sir Donald ·        Glacier Crest ·        Perley Rock	·        Abbott Ridge ·        Marion Lake ·        1885 trail ·        Meeting of the Waters ·        Bostock Creek ·        Balu Pass ·        Hermit

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask myself or any of the Resource Conservation Human Wildlife Conflict Team.

Thanks for you attention

Glacier National Park

_______________________________________________
These observations and opinions are those of the person who submitted them. The 
ACMG and its members take no responsibility for errors, omissions, or lapses in 
continuity. Conditions differ greatly over time and space due to the variable 
nature of mountain weather and terrain. Application of this information 
provides no guarantee of increased safety. Do not use the Mountain Conditions 
Report as the sole factor in planning trips or making decisions in the field.
See http://acmg.ca/mcr for more information.
See http://informalex.org/subscribe.shtml#unsubscribe to remove your name from 
this list.