Hiker Injured by Grizzly Bear at Glacier National Park 

A 32-year-old man sustained non-life-threatening injuries during a surprise encounter with a grizzly bear on Thursday, May 28, at approximately 12:45 p.m. on the Grinnell Glacier Trail in Glacier National Park.

The incident occurred in a snowfield approximately 3.5 miles up the trail where the sound of loud rushing water made it difficult for either the man or the bear to detect one another. The bear charged and fractured the man’s arm.  Nearby hikers responded quickly to assist, and the bear moved away from the area. The hikers provided initial medical aid to the injured man and initiated emergency communication.

At approximately 12:51 p.m. park dispatch received an SOS for an injured man who had an encounter with a bear. Park staff and ALERT were dispatched. ALERT transported the man to Logan Health Medical Center in Kalispell. 

The Grinnell Glacier Trail is temporarily closed and will reopen when deemed appropriate by park staff.  For information on trail closures in the park, visit the park’s trail status webpage. No further information is available at this time.

Stay Safe in Bear Country

• Never approach a bear.  
• Stay alert and avoid headphones on trails.  
• Hike in groups when possible.  
• Make noise near streams, dense vegetation and blind corners.  
• Store food, trash and scented items properly.  
• Carry bear spray.  
• Never run from a bear.  

If you encounter a bear, stay calm, speak in a steady voice, back away slowly and do not make sudden movements. Visitors should report bear encounters to park staff as soon as it is safe to do so.  

For park-specific bear safety information, visit the park’s website before arrival.

Source: Glacier National Park press release

Photo: Glacier National Park photo, public domain via Flickr