South section of Imp Trail - Black Bear

[peakbagger]

FYI, while climbing up South Imp trail (via Camp Dodge) we had a black bear encounter along the trail. It was healthy bear that strolled up the trail ahead of us for quite a while before finally slowly getting off the trail. We were in fairly open hardwoods so it wasnt an issue that the bear was unable to get off the trail. The bear may have been ahead of us for as long as 10 minutes. When we initially noticed it, we stopped and made plenty of noise and it just stood there and looked at us. There were no cubs around that we could see. When we started slowly moving forward, it continued up the trail matching our pace ahead of us until if finally slowly turned off the trail. I never did see any signs of aggression and we did give the bear plenty of room.

Compared to my normal bear encounters , which is usually its rear end jogging away once it figures out it has company, this bear was acting like a human habituated one. Due to the closeness of Camp Dodge, we speculated that at any other campground, the bear was getting fed either willingly or via dumpster diving, but would be surprised if AMC wasnt practicing what they preached to avoid setting up bear conflicts. This was around 9:00 AM in the morning which was also somewhat unusual.

Nevertheless with Camp Dodge , Great Gulf parking lot and Nineteen Mile Brook parking with Dolly Copp Picnic area not that far away there is some potential for some problem bear activity in the area.

 

[J&J]

We were descending the Osgood trail last Sunday (7/31) and walked into a black bear on the trail. He must have known we were coming as there were three of us talking up a storm but he just turned around and glanced at us and kept on walking down the trail without a care in the world.

After a few minutes he did leave the trail but stopped and watched us as we passed by. We did not feel threatened at all. No signs of a cub anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same bear. The only thing I was upset about was that I didn't get a good picture before he headed off into the woods.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Bear

Don't know for certain, but could be the same bear I saw along Rte.16 right in that area. He was not aggressive, nor afraid, but I wouldn't test my luck with him. He is a big boy! Did you get a good look at his forehead? He had two small patches of missing fur...

KDT

 

[peakbagger]

Sorry we didnt see the forehead. The bear we saw on Imp wasnt large I would guess a couple of years old.The berry crop is great right now and I have seen a healthy hazel nut crop so I expect bears are pretty mellow this time of year.

The Osgood tentsite had some significant bear issues the last few years. I dont know what the resolution was, but there were strong recommendations to hang ones food.

The last time I walked to my AT boundary section I encountered one going in and one coming out one on a two mile stretch of woods road.

 

[forestgnome]

jealous!!!!! lucky!!!!! thanks for posting