It was late September of 2019 when I decided to take a solo hiking trip through Yellowstone National Park. The fall colors were breathtaking, and I wanted to capture some last-minute photos before winter set in. I packed my gear, made sure I had my bear spray, and set off early in the morning.
I chose a less-traveled trail that led to a secluded lake. The hike was peaceful, and I enjoyed the solitude and the sounds of nature. About halfway to the lake, I noticed fresh bear tracks on the trail. They were huge, and my heart started to race. I reminded myself to stay calm and keep moving, making noise to avoid surprising any wildlife.
As I rounded a bend, I suddenly found myself face-to-face with a massive grizzly bear. It was no more than 30 feet away, foraging for food. My breath caught in my throat, and I froze. The bear looked up, and our eyes locked. For a moment, time stood still. I remembered my training and slowly began to back away, speaking in a calm, steady voice. The bear, however, had other ideas. It started to move toward me, first at a slow pace, then faster. Panic surged through me, but I knew running was not an option. I reached for my bear spray, my hands shaking.
Just as the bear was about 15 feet away, I deployed the spray. The cloud of pepper spray hit the bear directly in the face, and it stopped abruptly, shaking its head and retreating. I kept the spray aimed at the bear, backing away slowly until I felt it was safe to turn and walk quickly back down the trail. My heart was pounding the whole way back to my car. I couldn't believe how close I had come to a grizzly bear attack. Once I was safely in my vehicle, I sat there for a few minutes, letting the adrenaline wear off. It was a terrifying experience, but I was grateful that I had been prepared and that the bear spray had worked.
Later, I reported the encounter to the park rangers, who told me that the bear had likely been preparing for hibernation and was more aggressive due to hunger. They thanked me for using the bear spray and for not attempting to run, which could have provoked a chase.
That encounter changed the way I hike forever. Now, I always hike in groups, carry bear spray within easy reach, and stay even more vigilant about my surroundings.