[MCR] Access - Sir Donald/Asulkan

[Public Mountain Conditions Report]

Hi All,
This message explains the present situation in the Illecillewaet/Asulkan 
valleys including Sir Donald, and the reasoning behind the bear 
restrictions in place.  Please take this into account when planning a trip 
into the area and note that there are no restrictions in place for the 
Hermit Basin including Mt Tupper, the Swiss Peak Traverse, and Mt Rogers. 
Thank you for your understanding.
Visitor Safety 
Glacier National Park


Group of 4 Restriction in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan Valleys – July 23, 
2015
Two (2) curious sub-adult grizzly bears, their mother and another sow with 
young cubs have been repeatedly observed in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan 
valleys trail system. The two sub-adults have spent the past 3 years in 
the area with their mother, frequently exposed to visitors using the trail 
system and have become very tolerant and inquisitive of people. They 
exclusively forage on what the wilderness provides, and are neither 
threatened by humans, nor do they demonstrate aggressive behaviour towards 
them.

As of summer 2015, the park human-wildlife conflict team has received 
multiple reports of sub-adult grizzlies following hikers (both groups and 
individuals), at times for up to 1 hour and as close as 10m. With the best 
and most remote grizzly habitat dominated by older and more aggressive 
grizzlies, it is normal for a sow and cubs, as well as sub-adults, to 
establish themselves in less ideal bear habitat. Riskier places that are 
closer to human infrastructure (i.e trails and campgrounds) are typically 
avoided by adult male grizzlies.  In order to keep these two sub-adults 
out of trouble with people and increase their chances of survival, humans 
need to provide help if the form of willingness to modify behaviour. These 
bears require an additional level of care from the staff at Glacier 
National Park, as well as understanding and compliance from the visiting 
public. 

In response to this situation the Superintendent of Mount Revelstoke and 
Glacier national parks has enacted a mandatory restriction on the majority 
of trails in the Illecillewaet and Asulkan valleys. This restriction means 
that by law, visitors may access the trails only if they are in a group of 
four (4) or more adults (adult defined as ~12 years old), and remain 
within 3 metres of each other. Non-compliance is subject to a fine. This 
restriction is to protect both people and bears, as research has found 
that a grizzly bear is drastically less likely to approach people in tight 
groups of 4 adults or more. 

We appreciate your help in respecting this closure and in protecting both 
visitor and bear safety. 

Trails where group of 4 applies in Glacier National Park
Trails where group of 4 does not apply in Glacier National Park
·       Great Glacier
·       Avalanche Crest
·       Asulkan Valley
·       Sir Donald
·       Glacier Crest
·       Perley Rock
·       Abbott Ridge
·       Marion Lake
·       1885 trail
·       Meeting of the Waters
·       Bostock Creek
·       Balu Pass
·       Hermit







If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask myself or any of 
the Resource Conservation Human Wildlife Conflict Team. 

Thanks for you attention

Glacier National Park 

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