Chilkoot Trail hikers must obey strict rules
The Chilkoot Trail re-opened Sunday as expected, though strict hiking conditions have been imposed, Parks Canada announced Sunday.
The Chilkoot Trail re-opened Sunday as expected, though strict hiking conditions have been imposed, Parks Canada announced Sunday.
Parks Canada noted in the announcement another black bear in the area is demonstrating habituated behaviours.
“The bear poses a potential threat to public safety,” says the notice signed by Parks Canada superintendent Don Marrin.
Conditions imposed on the Canadian side of the historic Gold Rush trail between Happy Camp and Bennett require hikers to travel in groups of no fewer than four.
The group is also required to carry bear spray, and no dogs are allowed in the restricted area.
Parks Canada has also closed the campgrounds at Deep Lake, Lindeman and Bare Loon.
The trail was closed completely on the Canadian side last Tuesday after a black bear broke into a patrol cabin at Lindeman and received a substantial food reward.
Two snares were set out by the Parks Canada bear management team with the assistance of Yukon conservation officers.
A bear was shot last Wednesday morning and sent for a necropsy in Whitehorse to determine if it was the bear that broke into the cabin, though officials believed it was.
It was decided to keep the trail closed until Sunday to allow for the scent of bear bait used in the snare sets to dissipate.
While the closure affected scores of hikers, most chose to still hike the American side, Ben Hayes of the U.S. Parks Service explained late last week.
Comments (7)
Up 22 Down 1
Just Say'in on Jun 28, 2016 at 12:19 pm
Well let's see. If it had been a Hikers food that had been compromised, do you think the hikers would have been able to try and deflect responsibility like this??? This is unbelievable. The first thing they tried to say was that Bears had been habitualized on the South Klondike Highway. No the bears got in your food that wasn't secured properly and now in typical government fashion there will be new rules and everyone will pay. Frick'en Perfect. Job well done.
Up 26 Down 0
Nancy on Jun 28, 2016 at 7:23 am
I am really sad and disappointed to hear a bear had to be shot. I hope the ones in charge made sure that this was the last resort. My hope is that they tried all the options first - rubber bullets, trap the bear, drug and relocate the bear, and if those options failed - then move to the next level, with the help of experts. I hope at least the meat with those who need/want it and that this bear was not simply shot in vain.
Up 34 Down 0
BnR on Jun 28, 2016 at 7:12 am
Never mind hikers following rules, maybe Parks Canada needs to follow some basic housekeeping and bear proofing of THEIR camp(s).
Up 27 Down 1
Mark Sanders on Jun 27, 2016 at 10:21 pm
OVERREACTION
Dogs may help if on a lease. Parks staff could have used rubber bullets or bean bags. Bear spray for all hikers and staff but requesting people travel in groups of 4 is silly.
Up 32 Down 0
Drake on Jun 27, 2016 at 6:50 pm
Ok, let's sum up.
A bear went into an obviously non bear proof cabin owned by Parks.
Parks shot a random bear caught in their snare.
Parks doesn't provide the results of the necropsy and says instead that there is another habituated bear in the area!
Parks doesn't allow people to travel with dogs on a leash even though there is a possibly dangerous bear in the area.
Parks orders people to hike all the way to Bennett from Happy Camp without possibility to camp in between (that's putting public safety at risk more than a bear).
This would all be very funny if an animal hadn't been shot for no reason and taxpayer's money used to fly people around in helicopters!
I thought Parks was saving the environment for us but it seems like it is saving us from the environment!
Up 20 Down 2
June Jackson on Jun 27, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Not to worry campers, YTG will kill the bears off in no time.
Up 29 Down 13
Lee V on Jun 27, 2016 at 4:35 pm
Oh big bag of baloney... definitely the wrong dang bear shot. Officials believe it was the right bear? Well it either is or it isn't! Frick, dogs aren't allowed on the trail now??? I don't go nowhere without my pup in the bush - better eyes n ears then me.