A ladyfriend had broken in her boots on urban trails and was ready to try a woodland hike. Early one evening, we headed up a gated logging road, hoping to spot some deer in the clearcuts.Those we saw were too far away for good viewing. When we came to where a brushy draw intersected the road, I told my friend to wait quietly on the road while I hiked to the top of the draw and then crashed down through it. I headed into the brush and she began waiting for Bambi and friends to appear. Twenty minutes later, I stumbled back onto the road and found a hiking partner shaking in her boots, stammering, and gesturing at the road. Finally, she was able to tell me how she had heard a deer coming down the draw, and had remained quiet as it got closer and closer. Then, it emerged from the brush, crossed a drainage ditch, and stopped on the road. Much to her surprise and shock, it wasn't Bambi standing a few feet from her, IT WAS BEN! Both were equally frightened, but only one was "frozen" with fear. The bear ran across the road and disappeared into the heavy cover. My friend expressed concern that no one would believe her bear tale. One look at the large muddy bear tracks crossing the road where we stood was all the proof I needed.

On the way out, we had two yearling-sized black bears cross the road just ahead of us. Over the next two hiking seasons, we had ten other encounters with blackies. We never experienced any aggressive or threatening behavior from these bears, but it would only take one such event to ruin your day. I always carry bearspray while hiking, now.