High Sierra Topix

Hi,
I agree with AlmostThere. Don't be so worried, enjoy your trip and do exactly what the ranger says.
We had a bear visit us in camp near Shadow Creek, Ansel Adams wilderness. We had Ursacks tied far from the tent and my dog scared him away. He came back a few times but he left when she viciously barked. I know that you will not have a dog or Ursack in Yosemite, but the point is, they are afraid of us. After all, they eat little 50 LB dogs, but because she was with us, she was able to scare him away! BTW, I am a small woman and I hike with two timid teenagers and my dog. We are not the powerhouse of defense but the bear was still afraid of me.

The bears aren't going to eat you but they can certainly be a nuisance. When we did the Rae Lakes loop we asked the ranger when we were getting our permit if there were any bear problems. He told us the areas where they were hanging out and we avoided them. Yeah it meant going from Rae Lakes to Charlotte Creek (12ish miles),but we didn't have to fight bears for our packs like the folks who stayed at Junction meadow did.