Page 2 of 2

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 12:34 pm
by hikerduane
Rabble rousers!

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 2:42 pm
by SSSdave
Kurt, this isn't a new policy but rather has been the situation the last few years. Especially so in SEKI and Yosemite. There are still many trailheads and wilderness destinations where bear cannisters though may be highly recommended are not required. In fact there are many areas in the Eastern Sierra where there are still no bears at all, the legacy of decades past bear hunting and shooting. Ansel Adams Wilderness that I'm guessing you are referring to has been one of the required areas for some time now because of the growing bear population living off some of the lazy inhabitants and visitors of the Mammoth Lakes town and campgrounds. Those bears naturally migrated during summer into the nearby high country. ...David

Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:48 pm
by Lewis
funny, on a recent trip up to Minaret Lake, there was a empty bear cannister left near the trail. I picked it up and shook it, sure enough, it was heavy and empty !

There was no one around, and it was a sunday, I'm sure someone said "I ain't carrying this damn thing out, maybe someone may want it".

The only thing missing was a "FREE" sign !

~Lewis

Not So, according to the calls I made

Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:17 pm
by dharter
to the Yosemite Wilderness Office, Seki Wilderness Office, Sierra National Forest District Office and Inyo National Forest Wildermess Office (White Mountain Ranger District). No one I spoke with affirmed this requirement. As long as all food is in a canister, you are good to go!

Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 2:56 pm
by markskor
Just got back from Tuolumne area...great weather BTW... talked to the ranger (while getting my permit, he called over to Mammoth and asked right then), and YES!
He told me: As of now, from any entry into the Mammoth region (Reds Meadows and such), unless you are only doing an overnighter with one other person, every person must have a can in their possession in order to obtain a valid wilderness permit. They said that this is in effect for the remainder of this summer season, and probably will continue next season also.
The writing is on the wall and evident...buy/use a can.

Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 5:41 pm
by Telkwa
This is moronic. What is the point in forcing every member of a party to carry a can??
My wife and I have gone into the Sierras several times now on multi-day trips with one Garcia can. Patti is 4'11". She packs a little Kelty ST external. A freakin bear can would fill the main compartment. I'm not sure I could even wedge it in there without damaging the pack. If we could fit it in, she'd end up filling it with non-food items. Now that would be annoying.

I talked with a gal at the Sierra NF Prather station today regarding bear cans in the area NE of Edison reservoir, up by the Indian Lakes and Silver Pass. She hadn't heard anything about one can per person. Said they don't require bear cans at all, though of course they highly recommend, etc. etc.

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2007 2:14 pm
by TonyC
Hi this may be a dumb question, but do you need bear cannisters anywhere if you are just doing a dayhike? I think I saw on the Yosemite website that you don't need them for dayhikes and was curious if this is true all over the Sierra..thanks..

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:47 am
by caddis
Since this isn't Park land, maybe a better rule would say one firearm per hiker.....or at least a choice of the two ;)

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:58 pm
by ndwoods
My honey and I only needed one between us out of Cedar Grove last week. Anyway, you can get those mini cans by bear vault and bearikade so it won't be such a big deal. I tell you it sure was nice wondering thru the wilderness last week with tons of bear scat everywhere but not one pile had any sign of backpacker food and the bears were no where near camp spots....
Dee

other ways around it

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2007 7:06 pm
by dpmach
I'd figure this is the best place to ask. Beside the cannisters how else might one be able to store food so that it is out of the reach of our neighborhood critters and bears? I'm starting to realize that having a cannister is such a hassle...