Now thought of saying some stories of some Grizzly Bear experiences that I have had in the area of this lake. This will provide a hint of this area's location that it is in an area that has been known Grizzly Bear habitat for years. Almost did this last night but decided of posting these stories today instead.
The first story happened back around the time of the summer solstice of 1986 - about June 21st, 1986. I was camped near the outlet of the lake in the picture. Early in the morning I went over to the outlet of the lake nearby where the small group of trees are located. I was here for about 10 to 15 minutes sitting and enjoying the lake. When I got up to go back to my campsite, here on the other side of the lake's outlet was a Sow Grizzly with three newborn cubs of the year. The Sow Grizzly came down to the other side of the outlet among some willows being about 20 to 25 feet away with only the water of the outlet of the lake separating us. The bear and her cubs must of just then came up to the lake from below.. The Sow Grizzly and myself stared at each other for some minutes then the bear went to her cubs and retreated rapidly up the slope on the other side of the lake. Do believe if it wasn't for the water between us, the outcome of this story would have been completely different.
The other happened in early August of 2011. I was hiking on a trail nearby this area. I went around a bend in the trail and there right above me on the slope was also a Sow Grizzly with 3 newborn cubs of the year. The one thing that all hikers do NOT want to come upon, that is coming around something in the wilderness and right there is a Sow Grizzly with her newborn cubs. And this was just that type of experience. When I saw the bears I instantly stopped, pulled out my bear spray, and faced the Sow Grizzly. It seems the bears were just as much in shock as I was. The Sow Grizzly then retreated sideways to the trail above someways from where I was standing with then being 50 to 100 feet away. Two of the three cubs followed their mother. The bear made a few steps in my direction then turned around and vanished around the bend in the trail where I had just come with two of the cubs following. The other cub remaining started to bawl. Then with the Sow Grizzly mother having retreated around the bend and out of sight, and the other cub bawling, I very quickly went down the trail and out of the area. I did not see or come upon these bears again.
I have been here many a time thru the years and it is good Grizzly Bear wild wild country. Wishing Everyone the Best!