Parking & Emptying/Cleaning Out Cars

[dave54]

Of course, the best way to keep pesky critters from your car has not been mentioned.

Park in the middle of the parking area.
Then smear some peanut butter and anchovy paste on all the cars parked around the perimeter. The bears will leave yours alone.

[oldranger]

the banana on the dashboard did not result in a problem because I parked in an area where people seldom park. Therefore no bears interested in autos. But still not the smartest thing I have done. Certainly not a recommended practice.

Mike

[robow8]

Thanks for the answers. I have some additional questions. This is my first trip in over 20 years; so I want to be sure everything will be okay. That trip was the Silver Moccasin Trail from Lodgepole to Roads End. When we got there, someone else's car had been broken into. We were a couple of spots away!

We are taking our minivan, so no trunk. Is a suitcase safe? Are toiletries in the suitcase a no no?

We are staying at Curry Village before the hike. Should we just leave our car there? We are doing a 6 day loop up Illilouette, over Red Peak Pass, and back through LYV.

Thanks for all of the help!

[AlmostThere]

Toiletries are among the things that go in bear canisters and bear lockers - anything you put on your skin or in your mouth, or things that contained those items, go in bear resistant containers. So yes, toiletries are a no no.

Put a blanket in the car to cover over bags, boxes, suitcases etc that contain no scented items. Bears will break in to investigate anything that LOOKS like it might have something interesting in it.