Canyonlands National Park: Expanded Bear Container Requirements

[IntrepidXJ]

New regulations for bear containers in Canyonlands:

Beginning today, June 25, we are expanding the areas where backpackers must use hard-sided bear containers to store food, garbage, and toiletries. Bears wander into The Needles from nearby mountains in search of food and water, and we have seen increased black bear activity this summer: tracks, scat, tree rubbings, and actual sightings. The new requirement helps protect both visitors and wildlife from harm.

All overnight backcountry permit holders for Upper Salt, Lost Canyon,Squaw Canyon, and Big Spring Canyon designated campsites and the Salt/Horse, Butler/West Side, and Lavender/Davis backcountry at-large camping zones in The Needles are now required to store food and beverages, food and beverage containers, garbage, and all other scented items at least 100 feet (30 m) from camp in a hard-sided, bear-resistant container approved by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee. A list of approved models can be found at: http://igbconline.org/certified-products-list/.

https://www.nps.gov/cany/learn/management/bear-container-determination-2018.htm

 

[Wanderlust073]

Just noticed Ursack's are on the official IGBC approved list now.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

Just noticed Ursack's are on the official IGBC approved list now.

They have been for a while, but Canyonlands specifically requires hard-sided containers, as do some other locations.

 

[Wanderlust073]

Ahh, maybe I was thinking of their perpetual wait to get approval in specific parks.

Wish Bearikade would get on that list...

 

[Shirt357]

Last time I was backpacking in the park, I actually still hung my food for my one night in SC. At that time I think only upper Salt and LC was on the requirement list but was not taking any chances.

@Wanderlust073 is the bearikade lighter or easier to deal with packing? Just curious on your reason for preferring it. Currently I have a bear vault and even the "single user" size kills me.

 

[Wanderlust073]

It’s the lightest can I could find.

 

[LarryBoy]

I think the hard sided requirement is because Canyonlands has big rodent problems as well. The bear-proof ursacks won't stop a rodent, and vice versa. Theres a new ursack to address the gap, but not sure if it's in production yet.

Either that, or the NPS is just being dumb again. Which I dont rule out.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

So, I have a backpacking trip into the Needles starting tomorrow and I just found out that these expanded bear canister requirements were only for last year and expired at the end of November. I was going to bring my canister but now I don't have to, so the Ursack it is! Currently you only need a canister if you are planning on staying at the sites in Salt Creek or in the Salt-Horse zone. Just thought I'd share in case anyone else is planning on heading that way soon, too.